Glenn
08-27-2009, 08:23 AM
Jerrells Fighting For His Spot
By: Luke Byrnes
Last Updated: 8/26/09 5:32 PM ET
Making the transition from college star to fighting for a spot on a professional roster is as trying mentally as it is physically. For former Baylor point guard Curtis Jerrells, a prolific scorer during his time on campus in Waco, the transition requires a completely different approach to the game from what has gotten him to this point.
After leading the Bears in scoring in each of his four years at Baylor, Jerrells signed a partially guaranteed deal with the Detroit Pistons this summer. With the Pistons also adding proven scorers Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva to a roster that already included Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, Jerrells' focus will have to shift from offense to defense if he wants to stick with this Pistons team already loaded with scorers.
"You have to be a pro," Jerrells told HOOPSWORLD. "At Baylor they wanted me to score the ball, so that is what I did. In Detroit they have a lot of great scorers out there so I just want to be able to come in and defend a little bit and give those guys the rest they need."
Jerrells isn't all offense, however. His 159 career steals leaves Jerrells second on Baylor's all-time list behind former Bears point guard Michael Williams who, coincidentally, was selected by the Pistons with the 47th pick in the 1988 NBA Draft.
At just 6'1", Jerrells lacks some height but at 200 pounds possesses a strong, sturdy frame which allows him to play a physical style of basketball on the defensive end of the floor and finish around basket when he has the ball in his hands.
"I'm going to be pretty tough," Jerrells said of his mental approach heading into training camp. "I base my game on toughness. I have great size, upper-body strength and I'm a competitor. I went up there (to Detroit) for a workout and it was kind of like a fight, but in basketball. If they are looking for toughness I think I can bring that. (I bring) a lot of nastiness on defense."
While Jerrells, Baylor's third all-time leading scorer, will have to shift his focus from scoring to defending, he doesn't plan to change who he is as a basketball player.
"A lot of people tell me, night in and night out, don't go in there and try to prove yourself," Jerrells said. "These guys are looking at you for a certain reason: that you have been being you for your entire life. I just want to go in there and play my game, get people the ball and get in the paint with my size and finish."
Detroit is a team in a state of flux after sliding into the 2009 NBA Playoffs as the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference after six consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and head into this season with John Kuester as a first time head coach in the NBA. With a new coaching staff, a partially-guaranteed contract and his physical style of play, Jerrells has a legitimate shot at making the Pistons roster this season and he is looking forward to the challenge.
"Being in the NBA is a dream of mine," Jerrells said. "Being able to wake up and play this game every day is a dream of mine. I can just be thankful for this opportunity and just go in there and make the most of it."
The former Baylor star has a lot of work to do in order to stick with the Pistons but his physical, all-around game might be a perfect fit in Detroit.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13680
By: Luke Byrnes
Last Updated: 8/26/09 5:32 PM ET
Making the transition from college star to fighting for a spot on a professional roster is as trying mentally as it is physically. For former Baylor point guard Curtis Jerrells, a prolific scorer during his time on campus in Waco, the transition requires a completely different approach to the game from what has gotten him to this point.
After leading the Bears in scoring in each of his four years at Baylor, Jerrells signed a partially guaranteed deal with the Detroit Pistons this summer. With the Pistons also adding proven scorers Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva to a roster that already included Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, Jerrells' focus will have to shift from offense to defense if he wants to stick with this Pistons team already loaded with scorers.
"You have to be a pro," Jerrells told HOOPSWORLD. "At Baylor they wanted me to score the ball, so that is what I did. In Detroit they have a lot of great scorers out there so I just want to be able to come in and defend a little bit and give those guys the rest they need."
Jerrells isn't all offense, however. His 159 career steals leaves Jerrells second on Baylor's all-time list behind former Bears point guard Michael Williams who, coincidentally, was selected by the Pistons with the 47th pick in the 1988 NBA Draft.
At just 6'1", Jerrells lacks some height but at 200 pounds possesses a strong, sturdy frame which allows him to play a physical style of basketball on the defensive end of the floor and finish around basket when he has the ball in his hands.
"I'm going to be pretty tough," Jerrells said of his mental approach heading into training camp. "I base my game on toughness. I have great size, upper-body strength and I'm a competitor. I went up there (to Detroit) for a workout and it was kind of like a fight, but in basketball. If they are looking for toughness I think I can bring that. (I bring) a lot of nastiness on defense."
While Jerrells, Baylor's third all-time leading scorer, will have to shift his focus from scoring to defending, he doesn't plan to change who he is as a basketball player.
"A lot of people tell me, night in and night out, don't go in there and try to prove yourself," Jerrells said. "These guys are looking at you for a certain reason: that you have been being you for your entire life. I just want to go in there and play my game, get people the ball and get in the paint with my size and finish."
Detroit is a team in a state of flux after sliding into the 2009 NBA Playoffs as the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference after six consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and head into this season with John Kuester as a first time head coach in the NBA. With a new coaching staff, a partially-guaranteed contract and his physical style of play, Jerrells has a legitimate shot at making the Pistons roster this season and he is looking forward to the challenge.
"Being in the NBA is a dream of mine," Jerrells said. "Being able to wake up and play this game every day is a dream of mine. I can just be thankful for this opportunity and just go in there and make the most of it."
The former Baylor star has a lot of work to do in order to stick with the Pistons but his physical, all-around game might be a perfect fit in Detroit.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13680