Glenn
11-20-2007, 03:26 PM
A day late, sorry Keith.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Lots of questions – lots and lots of questions – about last week’s report that Joe Dumars proposed a trade of Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson and a No. 1 pick to the Lakers for Kobe Bryant that, the report contended, the Lakers accepted but Kobe vetoed. NOT TRUE. The Lakers asked for more than that – several weeks ago – and Dumars laughed and said, essentially, nice try, but I like my team just fine. On with the questions …
K.C. (Greencastle, Ind.): I’m a jazz studies student from DePauw University and I frequently compare NBA players to jazz musicians in terms of appearance and style. For instance, Nene strikingly resembles legendary Thelonious Monk. I think the Pistons would make a perfect jazz combo – fiery Rip on trumpet, smooth Chauncey on six and rhythm section of finesse Dice on piano, long Tayshaun on bass and dynamic Sheed on drums.
Langlois: Fascinating stuff, K.C. Now I can’t get a mental image of Tayshaun Prince on bass out of my head.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sebastian (Sweetwater, Texas): If one of the goals over the summer was to obtain a backup for Tayshaun Prince, why wasn’t Ronald Dupree given the chance? If not him, why not Sammy Mejia?
Langlois: They were given chances, Sebastian. All through training camp and the preseason. Jarvis Hayes is simply the better player. The last roster spot came down to Dupree or Mejia. When everything was taken into consideration – and their contract status had something to do with it – the Pistons chose to go with Dupree.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob (Williamsburg, Ky.): The Pistons are a lot better when they run. Do you think the Pistons should push it a lot more with athletes like Prince, Maxiell, Amir Johnson and eventually Stuckey?
Langlois: The Pistons weren’t a very good transition team a year ago, Rob, frequently coming up empty in 3-on-2 or 2-on-1 situations. They think Stuckey will be a great asset in transition. The Pistons will run when they have a numbers advantage, but they aren’t going to win games by trying to run with teams like Golden State or Phoenix, if that’s what you’re getting at. The Pistons are one of the top handful of teams in the league at half-court offensive execution and they’re also best defensively when they can get their opponent in half-court situations. That said, every team in the league wants to push it when they have the opportunity for easy baskets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew (Livonia): McDyess was off to a good start before hurting his shoulder, Rasheed is slimmed down and motivated and Rip and Chauncey are solid as usual. If Tayshaun has a more noticeable year, what do you think the chances are of having the whole starting five be All-Stars?
Langlois: Non-existent, Andrew. It won’t happen. It was remarkable that the Pistons put four starters in the All-Star game two years ago, but they did that on the strength of a phenomenal first-half record. Even with the great start Boston has had, it will be difficult for the Celtics to put all three of their stars in the All-Star game. Remember, there are 15 teams in the conference and only 12 spots on the All-Star team. If the Pistons put five players on the team, that would leave seven spots for 14 teams.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lloyd: If the NBA were to hold another vote for the 50 greatest players of all-time, do you think Hamilton, Billups, Prince, Rasheed Wallace, McDyess or Ben Wallace would be considered?
Langlois: Considered? Sure. But that’s an awfully exclusive club, Lloyd – a tougher one to crack than the Hall of Fame. And since I don’t think any of those players right now are locks for the Hall of Fame, I think it would be a stretch to include them in the top 50. But they’re all still in the prime of their careers, except for Ben Wallace, and winning another championship or two wouldn’t hurt their candidacy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nate (Grand Rapids): I’m sure people have taken notice of Boston’s hot start, but I’ve noticed something else – the minutes that Pierce, Allen and Garnett are playing. I know it’s early, but if they continue to play like that the entire season do you think they’ll run out of steam come playoff time?
Langlois: It’s a great question, Nate – and like most great questions, the answer can’t be known with any degree of certainty. I think the brain trust in Boston has decided that it’s a gamble worth taking because they’re not going to win many games if those guys aren’t playing major minutes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.D. (San Diego): Why don’t the Pistons pull off a trade for Kobe? Give the Lakers Prince, Hamilton and Mohammed and get Kobe and Mo Evans back. Good trade for the Pistons and gives them a better Big Three than the Celtics. Kobe and Chauncey would be an incredible defensive backcourt.
Langlois: Run that one past Mitch Kupchak and see what he thinks, J.D. The Pistons aren’t eager to break up their team. There are reasons to be wary of taking on Kobe Bryant – the drama, the huge chunk of a team’s payroll he’d occupy, the cost in assets of acquiring him and the chance he’ll opt out of his contract in two years. But every GM in the league would listen – and probably has listened – to what the Lakers would ask in return. The Lakers are obviously asking for an awful lot – more from the Pistons than the package you suggest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denny (Charlotte, N.C.): I know that Jarvis Hayes will be a free agent next summer. Who else on the Pistons will be?
Langlois: Lindsey Hunter, Ronald Dupree and Flip Murray.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Datoria: What does Joe Dumars see in Flip Murray?
Langlois: A guy capable of a 15-point, 12-assist, six-rebound night while playing 41 minutes in the pinch when Chauncey Billups couldn’t go against Golden State last week, among other things. That’s a pretty nice resource to have as the team’s third-string point guard, don’t you think?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael (Israel): We all know what the five current Pistons starters can (and can’t) do – why won’t Flip Saunders play the youngsters and rookies in crunch time, not garbage time? Why is Antonio McDyess starting? We need to see what Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell can do. We need to develop our bench and be ready for the playoffs.
Langlois: The thing that makes sports universally appealing, Michael, is that it is the ultimate meritocracy – one of the few places in the world where you get out of something what you put into it. You think it would go over well with McDyess’ teammates if the Pistons sat him on the bench just to see what they could get out of younger players? Getting ready for the playoffs and developing the young players on the bench aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive objectives, you know. Maxiell is getting plenty of opportunities. Johnson would have been, too, if not for the injury setback. Rodney Stuckey will be ushered back into the rotation whenever he’s cleared physically.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byron (Detroit): Do you think when Stuckey gets back and Amir starts getting minutes that Flip Saunders will put the second unit on the floor? The thought of having Maxiell, Amir, Stuckey and Flip Murray or Afflalo on the floor at once makes me think the second unit can make runs and hold the lead when the starters aren’t on the floor.
Langlois: I think it’s more likely that Saunders will try to sprinkle in one or two or three reserves at a time with two or three or four starters, Byron. If he’s got all five bench players on the floor at the same time, then I’d guess things are either going very well or very poorly for the Pistons.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John (Brownstown Township): I know you have answered questions in the past about the possibility of bringing Rip off the bench, but what about Tayshaun? I know that would mean starting Hayes, but I think if we do this Tayshaun can be our No. 1 scoring option off the bench and you could bring him in along with Stuckey and Maxiell.
Langlois: I’m not wild about that idea, John. What about the defensive end? Many teams feature their small forward as the No. 1 scoring option and would undoubtedly go hard at Hayes early in games if you made that move. Hayes is an adequate defender, but he’s not a Tayshaun Prince. And Prince’s strength is in the overall effectiveness of his game. Would that be a valuable thing to bring off the bench? Sure. But given the makeup of Prince and Hayes at that position, my view is it’s best to start Prince and then bring in Hayes – who seems to have that rare quality of great sixth men who come off the bench firing – to punch up the offense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric (Grand Rapids): Why is Nazr Mohammed still around? Don’t you think it would be beneficial to give his minutes to Jason Maxiell or Amir Johnson for the sake of their development?
Langlois: Well, he has three years plus this one remaining on his contract, for starters. For another, he’s the only true center on the roster. I don’t see Mohammed as taking minutes from Maxiell or Johnson. He’s going to play when the situation calls for it – against post players who might be overpowering at this point for Johnson and simply too big for Maxiell.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moe (Oxon Hill, Md.): Chris Webber was a nice addition last year, but I think he would be better off the bench. Where is he?
Langlois: The latest is that he’s considering an offer to join Orlando, though that looks doubtful. Cleveland and Boston have been other rumored suitors. For more, I’ll refer you to Mailbag FAQ.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Lots of questions – lots and lots of questions – about last week’s report that Joe Dumars proposed a trade of Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson and a No. 1 pick to the Lakers for Kobe Bryant that, the report contended, the Lakers accepted but Kobe vetoed. NOT TRUE. The Lakers asked for more than that – several weeks ago – and Dumars laughed and said, essentially, nice try, but I like my team just fine. On with the questions …
K.C. (Greencastle, Ind.): I’m a jazz studies student from DePauw University and I frequently compare NBA players to jazz musicians in terms of appearance and style. For instance, Nene strikingly resembles legendary Thelonious Monk. I think the Pistons would make a perfect jazz combo – fiery Rip on trumpet, smooth Chauncey on six and rhythm section of finesse Dice on piano, long Tayshaun on bass and dynamic Sheed on drums.
Langlois: Fascinating stuff, K.C. Now I can’t get a mental image of Tayshaun Prince on bass out of my head.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sebastian (Sweetwater, Texas): If one of the goals over the summer was to obtain a backup for Tayshaun Prince, why wasn’t Ronald Dupree given the chance? If not him, why not Sammy Mejia?
Langlois: They were given chances, Sebastian. All through training camp and the preseason. Jarvis Hayes is simply the better player. The last roster spot came down to Dupree or Mejia. When everything was taken into consideration – and their contract status had something to do with it – the Pistons chose to go with Dupree.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rob (Williamsburg, Ky.): The Pistons are a lot better when they run. Do you think the Pistons should push it a lot more with athletes like Prince, Maxiell, Amir Johnson and eventually Stuckey?
Langlois: The Pistons weren’t a very good transition team a year ago, Rob, frequently coming up empty in 3-on-2 or 2-on-1 situations. They think Stuckey will be a great asset in transition. The Pistons will run when they have a numbers advantage, but they aren’t going to win games by trying to run with teams like Golden State or Phoenix, if that’s what you’re getting at. The Pistons are one of the top handful of teams in the league at half-court offensive execution and they’re also best defensively when they can get their opponent in half-court situations. That said, every team in the league wants to push it when they have the opportunity for easy baskets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew (Livonia): McDyess was off to a good start before hurting his shoulder, Rasheed is slimmed down and motivated and Rip and Chauncey are solid as usual. If Tayshaun has a more noticeable year, what do you think the chances are of having the whole starting five be All-Stars?
Langlois: Non-existent, Andrew. It won’t happen. It was remarkable that the Pistons put four starters in the All-Star game two years ago, but they did that on the strength of a phenomenal first-half record. Even with the great start Boston has had, it will be difficult for the Celtics to put all three of their stars in the All-Star game. Remember, there are 15 teams in the conference and only 12 spots on the All-Star team. If the Pistons put five players on the team, that would leave seven spots for 14 teams.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lloyd: If the NBA were to hold another vote for the 50 greatest players of all-time, do you think Hamilton, Billups, Prince, Rasheed Wallace, McDyess or Ben Wallace would be considered?
Langlois: Considered? Sure. But that’s an awfully exclusive club, Lloyd – a tougher one to crack than the Hall of Fame. And since I don’t think any of those players right now are locks for the Hall of Fame, I think it would be a stretch to include them in the top 50. But they’re all still in the prime of their careers, except for Ben Wallace, and winning another championship or two wouldn’t hurt their candidacy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nate (Grand Rapids): I’m sure people have taken notice of Boston’s hot start, but I’ve noticed something else – the minutes that Pierce, Allen and Garnett are playing. I know it’s early, but if they continue to play like that the entire season do you think they’ll run out of steam come playoff time?
Langlois: It’s a great question, Nate – and like most great questions, the answer can’t be known with any degree of certainty. I think the brain trust in Boston has decided that it’s a gamble worth taking because they’re not going to win many games if those guys aren’t playing major minutes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.D. (San Diego): Why don’t the Pistons pull off a trade for Kobe? Give the Lakers Prince, Hamilton and Mohammed and get Kobe and Mo Evans back. Good trade for the Pistons and gives them a better Big Three than the Celtics. Kobe and Chauncey would be an incredible defensive backcourt.
Langlois: Run that one past Mitch Kupchak and see what he thinks, J.D. The Pistons aren’t eager to break up their team. There are reasons to be wary of taking on Kobe Bryant – the drama, the huge chunk of a team’s payroll he’d occupy, the cost in assets of acquiring him and the chance he’ll opt out of his contract in two years. But every GM in the league would listen – and probably has listened – to what the Lakers would ask in return. The Lakers are obviously asking for an awful lot – more from the Pistons than the package you suggest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denny (Charlotte, N.C.): I know that Jarvis Hayes will be a free agent next summer. Who else on the Pistons will be?
Langlois: Lindsey Hunter, Ronald Dupree and Flip Murray.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Datoria: What does Joe Dumars see in Flip Murray?
Langlois: A guy capable of a 15-point, 12-assist, six-rebound night while playing 41 minutes in the pinch when Chauncey Billups couldn’t go against Golden State last week, among other things. That’s a pretty nice resource to have as the team’s third-string point guard, don’t you think?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael (Israel): We all know what the five current Pistons starters can (and can’t) do – why won’t Flip Saunders play the youngsters and rookies in crunch time, not garbage time? Why is Antonio McDyess starting? We need to see what Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell can do. We need to develop our bench and be ready for the playoffs.
Langlois: The thing that makes sports universally appealing, Michael, is that it is the ultimate meritocracy – one of the few places in the world where you get out of something what you put into it. You think it would go over well with McDyess’ teammates if the Pistons sat him on the bench just to see what they could get out of younger players? Getting ready for the playoffs and developing the young players on the bench aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive objectives, you know. Maxiell is getting plenty of opportunities. Johnson would have been, too, if not for the injury setback. Rodney Stuckey will be ushered back into the rotation whenever he’s cleared physically.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Byron (Detroit): Do you think when Stuckey gets back and Amir starts getting minutes that Flip Saunders will put the second unit on the floor? The thought of having Maxiell, Amir, Stuckey and Flip Murray or Afflalo on the floor at once makes me think the second unit can make runs and hold the lead when the starters aren’t on the floor.
Langlois: I think it’s more likely that Saunders will try to sprinkle in one or two or three reserves at a time with two or three or four starters, Byron. If he’s got all five bench players on the floor at the same time, then I’d guess things are either going very well or very poorly for the Pistons.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John (Brownstown Township): I know you have answered questions in the past about the possibility of bringing Rip off the bench, but what about Tayshaun? I know that would mean starting Hayes, but I think if we do this Tayshaun can be our No. 1 scoring option off the bench and you could bring him in along with Stuckey and Maxiell.
Langlois: I’m not wild about that idea, John. What about the defensive end? Many teams feature their small forward as the No. 1 scoring option and would undoubtedly go hard at Hayes early in games if you made that move. Hayes is an adequate defender, but he’s not a Tayshaun Prince. And Prince’s strength is in the overall effectiveness of his game. Would that be a valuable thing to bring off the bench? Sure. But given the makeup of Prince and Hayes at that position, my view is it’s best to start Prince and then bring in Hayes – who seems to have that rare quality of great sixth men who come off the bench firing – to punch up the offense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric (Grand Rapids): Why is Nazr Mohammed still around? Don’t you think it would be beneficial to give his minutes to Jason Maxiell or Amir Johnson for the sake of their development?
Langlois: Well, he has three years plus this one remaining on his contract, for starters. For another, he’s the only true center on the roster. I don’t see Mohammed as taking minutes from Maxiell or Johnson. He’s going to play when the situation calls for it – against post players who might be overpowering at this point for Johnson and simply too big for Maxiell.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moe (Oxon Hill, Md.): Chris Webber was a nice addition last year, but I think he would be better off the bench. Where is he?
Langlois: The latest is that he’s considering an offer to join Orlando, though that looks doubtful. Cleveland and Boston have been other rumored suitors. For more, I’ll refer you to Mailbag FAQ.