Too busy at work to post them all (it's like 6 pages):


15. Detroit Pistons (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=det) | Future Power Rating: 499

PLAYERS MANAGEMENT MONEY MARKET DRAFT 164 (21st) 147 (5th) 91 (19th) 45 (19th) 52 (13th)

http://assets.espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nba/med/trans/det.gif
The good news for Pistons fans is that injuries to Richard Hamilton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=294) and Tayshaun Prince (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1724) have given us a chance to see exactly what Joe Dumars (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3689) picked up this summer. All three free-agent acquisitions -- Ben Gordon (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2381), Charlie Villanueva (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2792) and Ben Wallace (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=885) -- have played well. Rookies Jonas Jerebko (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3998) and Austin Daye (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3976) are also getting playing time, though their play has been nothing more than solid.
The future, in large part, continues to ride on Rodney Stuckey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3235). Dumars put great faith in him last year when he swapped Chauncey Billups (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=63) for cap space. Stuckey continues to improve (he's especially been on a roll in December), but he hasn't proven that he's going to be a star. It's unclear if he fits better as a point guard or a 2-guard in Detroit's crowded backcourt, and he's yet to develop his 3-point shot or learn to play under control. For now, he's more a good young player than an established star.
(Previous rank: 15)

Moved this here since it's just a snippet and not the whole Insider article.

Thanks, Chris.


For now, he's more a good young player than an established star.

^To be filed under: "no shit".

Chris, when you get a second, where are the Spurs ranked?

Chris, when you get a second, where are the Spurs ranked?

Under DONE.


they have them 7th:

The Spurs have been the league's model franchise during the past decade. Although they continue to show signs of slippage on the court, we have faith that the top front office in the league will help them remain a winning team for the foreseeable future.
Injuries and age continue to take their toll in San Antonio, but the sage Spurs also have some youth: Tony Parker (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1015) (27) and Richard Jefferson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1006) (29) remain in their prime, and George Hill (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3438) (23), DeJuan Blair (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3965) (20) and recent draftee Tiago Splitter (24) appear to have bright futures.
Given the Spurs' stellar management, which is looking at significant cap room in 2011, we think it'll spend wisely to keep the team in contention. Despite the occasional misfire (e.g., trading Luis Scola (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1781) and drafting Ian Mahinmi (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2774)), the Spurs' brainpower and spending power make it hard to be pessimistic about their future.

That's a joke. But thanks.

You're a joke.

I was hoping that would come from Kstat, actually.

They won't have any cap space until 2011 when RJ and TP are FA's. If they extend Manu next year they'll be against the tax level in 2010 and won't add anyone then. Then they'll keep TP, lose RJ and have no money to spend.

Basically they'll contend for a couple years if all stay healthy. If not they'll just be a good but not great team that won't win again.

Manu and Duncan are being held together with tape.

They are paying big $ now because they know that their time is running out. They'll have to tear it down and start over soon, and that's going to lead to some lean years. Putting them at #7 based on their future is a joke. Their future hasn't looked this bleak in a long time. 7 puts them in the top 3-4 in the west, not gonna happen.

...so Blair has a "bright future,' but Jerebko is "nothing more than solid?"

Jonas averages more points, rebounds, assists, steals, and plays much better defense.

Add to that the fact Blair slipped due to many a failed physical. His time is supposedly limited.

Add to that the fact Blair slipped due to many a failed physical. His time is supposedly limited.
So what?

If he's insurable, then you can pay him a lot of money if he's been good for awhile. If he gets hurt, you're not out a lot.

If he's not insurable, then you can write him a small contract even if he's been good (or sign-and-trade him to somewhere that wants to overpay despite the physical). If he gets hurt, you're not out a lot.

If a 2nd round pick gives you 3-4 good years then can't play the game again, you've done well. Severe injury is better because it gets them off the cap faster than just moderate suckitude (or even extreme suckitude like Jerome James).

So what?




The question at hand is the picture of a teams future. I was very angry we didn't draft Blair.

I'm agreeing with you. I'm just venting at the stupidity that caused him to fall to the 2nd round to begin with.