i like walker a lot but we had better package some of our G's in a trade if we're drafting walker. not a huge fan of leonard at #8 although i think he'd be a solid role player on a team that already has an established roster.

Based on what I've read, I'm 90% sure Kings take Leonard at 7. 10% they go Jimmer.

any news on Bismack's workout?

Yeah. Markieff Morris outplayed everyone, with Biyombo/Thompson close behind him. His offense was allegedly better in his DET and TOR workouts than the shaky youtube vid that's being passed around.
Langlois tweeted that Bismack and his agent impressed the front office over a dinner interview.

Here's a blawg post by somebody awesome stating why we should draft Biyombo: http://getsomepistons.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/putting-all-my-eggs-in-biyombos-basket/

where are you getting info on how yesterday's workout went? i can't seem to find anything out there.

in any case, i will re-state my support for drafting morris. preferrably in a trade down with houston perhaps.

where are you getting info on how yesterday's workout went? i can't seem to find anything out there.

in any case, i will re-state my support for drafting morris. preferrably in a trade down with houston perhaps.

I get it from twitter, I think Keith Langlois posted about it.

Pistons “zeroed in on” Tristan Thompson, who canceled other workouts after working out for Detroit (http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/pistons-zeroed-in-on-tristan-thompson-who-canceled-other-workouts-after-working-out-for-detroit/)

Lol, this is what, the fourth guy or so that we've "zeroed in on"?

Marc J. Spears: A lot of teams interested in Kings No. 7 pick, (http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html) NBA exec said.
Twitter (http://hoopshype.com/twitter/media.html)


Anybody want 8?

Pistons “zeroed in on” Tristan Thompson, who canceled other workouts after working out for Detroit (http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/pistons-zeroed-in-on-tristan-thompson-who-canceled-other-workouts-after-working-out-for-detroit/)

Lol, this is what, the fourth guy or so that we've "zeroed in on"?
Yeah, no kidding. I've read reports on the Pistons being sold on no fewer than eight different guys. Some goon from Sports Illustrated has Tristan Thompson going FOURTH. http://bit.ly/iXxKVW
We have ourselves a shit-show.

The Cavs need someone who can contribute now? That's something you say of a playoff team trying to become championship caliber. Not a lottery team that also has the number 1 pick.

http://getsomepistons.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/mock-lotto-8/
Here's my mock top 8, if I were cloned 6 times and made a GM of every team.

http://getsomepistons.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/mock-lotto-8/
Here's my mock top 8, if I were cloned 6 times and made a GM of every team.

Interesting takes. Can't say that I agree with the slotting, but you follow this more closely than I do.

Have to think that if the Cavs did indeed pass on Irving, that Minny would easily be able to move that pick that they've been trying so hard to.

I don't see any way that two teams pass on Irving.

I agree that Derrick Williams should be the #1 pick...although there's no way the cavs pass on knight if he's available at #4 after selecting Williams #1. Williams is the most skilled player in this draft; he shot 56% from 3-pt. land which is crazy good...there have been others that have made more 3-pointers in their career...steph curry..dennis scott...etc., but only steve kerr and a VERY select few have shot a higher %.

To me, there isn't much difference between knight and irving....why not shoot for a williams/knight double if you're the cavs? Worse case (knight and irving go 2 and 3) they get either kanter or the lituanian big at #4.

As for the pistons, I'm comfortable with anyone that isn't leonard or a morris twin.

@glan, Yeah, I wasn't going for IRL accuracy or at all trying to project what the management of those teams are thinking. I have Kanter/Irving/Williams in the same tier so I didn't feel too blasphemous putting Irving third.

@yargs, I'm just stubborn and think that the Cavs need to give Ramon Sessions a bigger role. He's only 25 and he puts up 18/7/4/1 steal PER36 minutes. He's a pretty good athlete and at 6'3/4" he's not going to be too overmatched when playing the stud PGs in the league.

I agree that Derrick Williams should be the #1 pick...although there's no way the cavs pass on knight if he's available at #4 after selecting Williams #1. Williams is the most skilled player in this draft; he shot 56% from 3-pt. land which is crazy good...there have been others that have made more 3-pointers in their career...steph curry..dennis scott...etc., but only steve kerr and a VERY select few have shot a higher %.
Williams' FT% is low for an ace 3P shooter. With notable exceptions like Donkey Jones and Bruce Spot-Up Bowen, most good 3P shooters crack 80% FTs. My suspicion is that his 3P shooting is somewhat anomalous. He might be a good 3P threat at the NBA level (e.g. Sheed or Charlie V, amongst bigs), but I doubt he'll come close to Steve Kerr.

Apparently Minnesota is informing teams that they intend to take Enes Kanter at #2.
Would this then enable Utah to take Derrick Williams at #3, play him at SF, and move Gordon Hayward to SG? I would omgwtfbbq if Williams slid to #4 and Cleveland took both he and Irving.

Williams is a 4, not a 3, but who knows, this draft is wide open i love it, i am excited for tomorrow

Williams is a 4, not a 3, but who knows, this draft is wide open i love it, i am excited for tomorrow

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2011-06-01/derrick-williams-insists-i-am-a-small-forward
try telling him that.

in other news, chad ford reports that we are strongly considering the rockets offer and our target is markieff morris. ugh.

Official Pistons.com mock draft has us taking Biyombo! http://aggbot.com/link.php?id=13985351&r=tw&c=203

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2011-06-01/derrick-williams-insists-i-am-a-small-forward
try telling him that.

in other news, chad ford reports that we are strongly considering the rockets offer and our target is markieff morris. ugh.
I would take Rockets picks. We'd be looking at the same guys at 14 that we are at 8 and would get another decent player like Darius Morris with the other pick.

What if we could get the Rockets to throw in their early 2nd? That would really make it worth it.

I would take Rockets picks. We'd be looking at the same guys at 14 that we are at 8 and would get another decent player like Darius Morris with the other pick.

How many rookies do we want, though?
Four picks in one draft? I'm not in the mood to see Joe piss away picks because there isn't roster room (Trent Plaisted, anyone?).

I'm of the theory, the more picks the better. We don't necessarily have to use them and early 2nds have some value. If we do use them, grabbing up a foreign player or two stashed overseas isn't awful. I just see them as more trading pieces/future prospects. Plaisted was never any good nor was he going to be any good.

That's the thing that scares me. I'm not down with drafting scrubs in the 2nd round just because Joe doesn't want to add more than two rookies to the roster, or wants to take a flyer on another "sleeper" in Walter Sharpe.

Chad ford this evening: "The Pistons are seriously considering the Rockets' offer -- especially if Kawhi Leonard and Tristan Thompson are off the board. The target at No. 14?
Markieff Morris. Morris wowed the Pistons in a big workout Tuesday, and they feel he could still be on the board there."
love the sound of that. markieff at #8 IMO is more appealing than either of those guys at #8. getting markief at #14 in a trade down, along with the #23 pick is a dream come true. please pull the trigger joe!!!!

That's the thing that scares me. I'm not down with drafting scrubs in the 2nd round just because Joe doesn't want to add more than two rookies to the roster, or wants to take a flyer on another "sleeper" in Walter Sharpe.

Walter Sharpe zzz jokes are still funny.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AizILDTAO0tO6g1qYoNy6xC8vLYF?slug=ycn-8686843

latest mock from Givony:


8 Detroit Pistons
Bismack Biyombo, PF/C
18 years old; 6-9, 240 lbs
Baloncesto Fuenlabrada, International

Biyombo appears to be the clear-cut favorite in Detroit at the moment, after an outstanding workout on Tuesday against Tristan Thompson and Markieff Morris, where he showed significantly better offensive ability than he was thought to possess.

Biyombo’s strong ascension up NBA teams’ draft boards has not gone unnoticed by the league office, causing NBA officials to extend him a last-minute invitation to the green room, said multiple sources close to the situation. Teams that were looking to select the “unknown” Biyombo did not want to give the appearance of reaching so badly for his services that they would have to fetch him out of the crowd to shake David Stern’s hand, which is why a last-minute push was made to bring him in. Unfortunately, his family will not be able to arrive in time from the Congo.

http://www.draftexpress.com/podcast/draftexpress_47.mp3
-> must listen

podcast, quote Jonathan G: (he actually suggests he would draft Biyombo at 3, Utahs pick)
"reviews amazing, in Detroit today, amazing workout against TT,Markieff Morris defending, rebounding, dunking on everyone...he is as close to a prospect to Dwight Howard as we've seen it in awhile and its a shame people have to wait after the lockout to see it"

please god, i want this guy with a Pistons cap on his head today

I like Givony's mock, until you hit #7, where I think Kawhi goes instead of Jimmer.

Can't believe that he's got Kawhi at 14, but Givony knows his stuff.

I agree 100% with his top 6, with a chance that 2 and 3 might be flipped.

Walter Sharpe zzz jokes are still funny.

I'll never grow tired of them.

Williams' FT% is low for an ace 3P shooter. With notable exceptions like Donkey Jones and Bruce Spot-Up Bowen, most good 3P shooters crack 80% FTs. My suspicion is that his 3P shooting is somewhat anomalous. He might be a good 3P threat at the NBA level (e.g. Sheed or Charlie V, amongst bigs), but I doubt he'll come close to Steve Kerr.

I certainly wouldn't expect williams to ever be as good of a 3pt shooter as kerr but I do like that williams obviously isn't one of those athletic 3/4s that doesn't have a jump shot. Plus he's a much more versatile offensive player in his ability to create his own shot and rebound than a donkey jones, bowen or kerr whom were all spot up shooters and nothing else.

In an NBA draft I like guys that have some kind of identifiable skill and williams is a guy that knows what a good shot is and is the best in this draft at making them. With Irving, I'm not sure he does any one thing great which makes him a little less of a sure thing, in my opinion, than williams whom I believe at worst is a shareef abdur rahim type of player, who was a decent scorer in the NBA. I expect williams to be a much better pro than he, though.

Here is my plan if I'm the Pistons...

At #8 I consider Jonas if he's there. If not I trade down with Houston. I don't think Kawhi is a great fit (they already have role player wings that don't do anything special). I also think Biyombo is a bust if taken in the lotto. He's a role player that should be taken in the mid-end of the first.

At #14 I would take Thompson (if Jonas is still not there), or Markieff

At #23 I would take Jimmy Butler

At #33 I would take Darius Moore or Norris Cole (Ford has him mocked there).

You could solve PF and get two sleepers at SF and PG that could turn out to be starters. That would be a pretty decent haul for a draft that really has no true superstars.

latest from chad ford: "I'm hearing that if either Leonard or Walker is on the board at No. 8, the Pistons are likely to take one of them. If both are gone, it's down to Biyombo, Tristan Thompson and Markieff Morris. The Pistons really like Valanciunas as well, but sources say they aren't willing to wait a year to get him. "

I hope that is not true. Walker is not going to be any good in the NBA. At best he's a combo guard off the bench. He can't shoot and doesn't have great size either. I think Fredette will be a better pro than Walker.

Why aren't they willing to wait a year? If Jonas is going to be better than those other guys, then take him and wait a year. You can't tell me any of these players will get them in the playoffs this year anyway. Even Irving or Williams wouldn't be enough to win a playoff series. If you aren't winning in the playoffs, you are rebuilding, in which case you take the player that will be the best long term.

:chad:

The Cavs have some serious stat guys on their staff. That may explain why they are so high on Tristan Thompson, who John Hollinger has rated third in his Draft Rater.

If the Cavs take Thompson at No. 4, I'm hearing Jonas Valanciunas, who I currently have in the 4 spot in Mock Draft 7.0, probably goes No. 8 to the Pistons.

Looks like Ford has changed his tune on Pistons/Jonas2.0.

And there's Chris!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AizILDTAO0tO6g1qYoNy6xC8vLYF?slug=ycn-8686843

latest mock from Givony:



http://www.draftexpress.com/podcast/draftexpress_47.mp3
-> must listen

podcast, quote Jonathan G: (he actually suggests he would draft Biyombo at 3, Utahs pick)
"reviews amazing, in Detroit today, amazing workout against TT,Markieff Morris defending, rebounding, dunking on everyone...he is as close to a prospect to Dwight Howard as we've seen it in awhile and its a shame people have to wait after the lockout to see it"

please god, i want this guy with a Pistons cap on his head today

I'm completely with Joe Asberry on this in that Biyombo is the one guy I want the pistons to get. From what I've seen of him I like how he attacks the glass on both ends and has the ability to dunk on people. I don't care if he can't shoot a jump shot yet if at all. Plus I believe he's much more advanced offensively than the normal player that's labeled as a "defensive specialist" since he can actually catch the ball in the post and at least attempts to do something with it .

I unfortunately have a sinking suspicion he's going to end up with the raptors. If that's the case, I'd select Thompson if available. He also has the ability to defend and from what I saw of him last year, he's a beast on the offensive glass which is a skill that will carry over to the NBA.

As for other players that might be available. I don't like Kemba since he can't shoot which means he'll struggle in the pros. I don't like leonard since he also can't shoot nor can he dribble which makes him a liability at the 3 in the NBA. I hate the morris twins. Vesely blows.

I would take a chance on valanciunas if both thompsan and biyombo are off the board at 8.

I'm hoping knight falls out of the top 4 so that the raptors are forced to select him at 5. It would increase the chances of the pistons getting one of the bigs I covet (biyombo, thompson or valanciunas)

And there's Chris!

Yeah, I haven't been on a while. I see you changed your name again. I've just been busy with a baby that is now semi-mobile. I also got hooked on Starcraft 2 so I've been doing that a lot at night when I might have been browsing the internets. I probably won't be on a ton due to the reasons I just listed, but the draft pulled me back in today. Had to get my two cents in.

I'm completely with Joe Asberry on this in that Biyombo is the one guy I want the pistons to get. From what I've seen of him I like how he attacks the glass on both ends and has the ability to dunk on people. I don't care if he can't shoot a jump shot yet if at all. Plus I believe he's much more advanced offensively than the normal player that's labeled as a "defensive specialist" since he can actually catch the ball in the post and at least attempts to do something with it .

I unfortunately have a sinking suspicion he's going to end up with the raptors. If that's the case, I'd select Thompson if available. He also has the ability to defend and from what I saw of him last year, he's a beast on the offensive glass which is a skill that will carry over to the NBA.

As for other players that might be available. I don't like Kemba since he can't shoot which means he'll struggle in the pros. I don't like leonard since he also can't shoot nor can he dribble which makes him a liability at the 3 in the NBA. I hate the morris twins. Vesely blows.

I would take a chance on valanciunas if both thompsan and biyombo are off the board at 8.

I'm hoping knight falls out of the top 4 so that the raptors are forced to select him at 5. It would increase the chances of the pistons getting one of the bigs I covent (biyombo, thompson or valanciunas)

I'd love to see his workouts because they don't sound like all the reviews I've read. To me he sounds no better than Udoh from what I've read. He's no Ben Wallace and even when we had Ben in his prime we had a lowsy offense. Too many times guys sagged off him to double other players. Stuckey has no range and Prince will be gone. How will the Pistons score when teams are sagging off Biyombo? If he's really like Dwight then yes take him. If he's more like Udoh or even Ibaka (best case I've heard from many experts) then I pass.

I still favor taking the chance on Jonas if he's the more complete player in a year.

Some good, new stuff from Adrian Wojo.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-wojnarowski_nba_draft_cavaliers_irving_062311

Just watched some video of Biyombo out there on youtube and I do like that he's agressive to the basket on offense. At worst you'll get a team in foul trouble.

I called into the radio today! WDFN.

Yeah, I haven't been on a while. I see you changed your name again. I've just been busy with a baby that is now semi-mobile. I also got hooked on Starcraft 2 so I've been doing that a lot at night when I might have been browsing the internets. I probably won't be on a ton due to the reasons I just listed, but the draft pulled me back in today. Had to get my two cents in.
OMG, what race do you play?
I just went through three 3v3 games, dominated as zerg in each.

I'd love to see his workouts because they don't sound like all the reviews I've read. To me he sounds no better than Udoh from what I've read. He's no Ben Wallace and even when we had Ben in his prime we had a lowsy offense. Too many times guys sagged off him to double other players. Stuckey has no range and Prince will be gone. How will the Pistons score when teams are sagging off Biyombo? If he's really like Dwight then yes take him. If he's more like Udoh or even Ibaka (best case I've heard from many experts) then I pass.

I still favor taking the chance on Jonas if he's the more complete player in a year.

Those are all relative and good questions and he could turn out to be a complete bust. But in this draft you can pretty much say that about everyone, even williams and irving. I don't know. From what I saw in the nike hoop summit I think biyombo is a guy that isn't a complete zero on offense. I like how he attacks the rim instead of forcing up some soft hook. Yes, he's extremely raw but I like that aggression. Plus it appears, or so I'm reading these past few days, in his last few works when he's playing live against other draft prospects he exhibited the same type of in-game aggression and is dunking on people. I like that. That's all I want him to do.

His bad workout was when he was shooting 1 on none or in a psuedo-defensive 1 on 1 drill. That's not his game. Those are the types of workouts Darko supposedly dominated in 2003. I prefer the in-game stuff. And in these situations he's athletic, rebounding, blocking shots and dunking on people. That's what I want my big man to WANT to do.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not completely sold on biyombo as being a definite stud but he's the one guy I want at the moment. I do also really like thompson and would not be disappointed if the pistons go that route even if biyombo is also still available.

I also don't disagree with getting jonas either. I also like his size and his aggressive nature from what I've seen of him but he also appears to be a bit slow and "leg heavy" and doesn't have great lift. He appears a bit slow with his feet which is probably why he's always in foul trouble. To me he has less of an upside than the other two.

Either way, I would consider this draft a success for the pistons if they get any one of the 3 mentioned above. If they wind up with leonard I'd be disappointed but not as much as if they ended up with a morris twin. Knowing Joe, he'll not only pick a morris twin but the BAD one.

if i told you markief morris was somewhere between udonis haslem and al horford, how would you feel about him?

Big day.
Getting big names to tweet@me, had Chad Ford answer some questions on fb, got onto the radio with WDFN.

markief morris is sowewhere between rodney white and udonis haslem. He has zero jumping ability and will struggle to score near the basket in the pros. He would be a terrible pick.

@WojYahooNBA: Kings have made it privately clear they expect to trade 7th pick. "They're confident they have deal," one official says.

Spurs?

@WojYahooNBA: Kings have made it privately clear they expect to trade 7th pick. "They're confident they have deal," one official says.

Spurs? Cavs?

OMG, what race do you play?
I just went through three 3v3 games, dominated as zerg in each.

I play all 3 pretty well. I will message you my profile in case you wanted to look me up.

@ESPNAndyKatz: Sources: Bismack Biyombo of Congo faces buyout issues - ESPN http://es.pn/kXZ7Ov

Those are all relative and good questions and he could turn out to be a complete bust. But in this draft you can pretty much say that about everyone, even williams and irving. I don't know. From what I saw in the nike hoop summit I think biyombo is a guy that isn't a complete zero on offense. I like how he attacks the rim instead of forcing up some soft hook. Yes, he's extremely raw but I like that aggression. Plus it appears, or so I'm reading these past few days, in his last few works when he's playing live against other draft prospects he exhibited the same type of in-game aggression and is dunking on people. I like that. That's all I want him to do.

His bad workout was when he was shooting 1 on none or in a psuedo-defensive 1 on 1 drill. That's not his game. Those are the types of workouts Darko supposedly dominated in 2003. I prefer the in-game stuff. And in these situations he's athletic, rebounding, blocking shots and dunking on people. That's what I want my big man to WANT to do.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not completely sold on biyombo as being a definite stud but he's the one guy I want at the moment. I do also really like thompson and would not be disappointed if the pistons go that route even if biyombo is also still available.

I also don't disagree with getting jonas either. I also like his size and his aggressive nature from what I've seen of him but he also appears to be a bit slow and "leg heavy" and doesn't have great lift. He appears a bit slow with his feet which is probably why he's always in foul trouble. To me he has less of an upside than the other two.

Either way, I would consider this draft a success for the pistons if they get any one of the 3 mentioned above. If they wind up with leonard I'd be disappointed but not as much as if they ended up with a morris twin. Knowing Joe, he'll not only pick a morris twin but the BAD one.


I agree with the entire draft being more of a crap shoot than usual. I'm also not sold that Irving and Williams will be good. I do like the SAR comparison I saw on here (might have been you) for Williams, I think that is about right. Don't know what to make of Irving because we just haven't seen him play much.

I'd be happy with Jonas, Thompson, and probably Biyombo at #8. I'd be fine with a Morris at #14 if that deal happens and the 3 I just mentioned are all gone. I really hope we don't take Walker. How many combo guards with major flaws do we need?

Bad back, buyout issues, can't shoot, can't make free throws, eh, pass.

well most of what is being said now is probably smokescreens and/or BS, but it's worth noting anyway, from Yahoo sports: "Several days ago, Detroit hadn’t planned to draft Valanciunas, but sources said Pistons general manager Joe Dumars was given the OK by new owner Tom Gores to take Valanciunas despite the fact he wouldn’t be able to join the team this season."

guess we'll know in a few hours...i'm hoping for the trade down scenario with houston. this draft is extremely weak as far as star quality players at the top goes....but it's much deeper as far as quality depth goes IMO. there are a bunch of players in the 10-45 range who could be very solid nba role players. i think we could potentially even get a legit future rotation guy with BOTH our 2nd rounders. definitely the first one at least....a lot of the guys drafted in the 31-45 range in most years might be drafted somewhere in the 20s.

I haven't heard Adele enough on the radio the past few weeks, I'm so glad we will get to listen to this song throughout the night, as well.

P.S> DOCTA RAY IS IN DA HOUSE! until the six pack is gone then I gotta go to bed at 10ET ... I have to be at work at 6 CT everyday. suck

Kyrie gon, Derrick William gon

HOW MUCH LONGER UNTIL WERE ALL REALLY PISSED OFF?!!1111

Jonas 2.0 for Pistons please!

We are p robably going to make a shitty 2nd round pick.

like a 100% chance according to history post-Mehmet.

BOMBO GON

Hard for me not to root for Kemba, honestly.

Man we got played in this draft. I am sure Charlotte figured that the draft wouod fall their way and they would get Thompson or Biyombo at 7 and whichever pg of walker or knight at 9. They moved right in frnt of us and we got played. I am sorry this was just shitty. I like Knight and think he is a great addition, but man. There arent really shotblockers left are there? Blech. Knight could not have looked more disappointed. Knight, Stuckey, Bynum, Rip, Ben Gordon. Too many guards. Now we are going to trade Rip rather than wait a season when he actually has trade value. Okay I am done venting. I like the Knight pick, but we are going to get traderaped very soon. Just wait for it....

Gla is relieved we are finally safely stocked up at the 2 spot.

^
OBSESSED

WERE ALL PISSED OFF NOW

In 2 years we get to read Pharaoh's picks.

the depth chart at guard is ridiculous and i too SO badly wanted a big. but i was not particularly high on the bigs being mentioned to us at #8. i think in time we will see a couple of the bigs a lot of people SO badly wanted for us were severely overvalued.

it sucks we don't get the big we want but we took the BPA and a guy i could honestly see ending up as the best player in this draft possibly and definitely one of the top 3-5 IMO. you can't pass on a talent like him and we'll figure a way to dump rip and will fit knight in somehow.

i don't think he was upset coming to detroit because he expressed interest beforehand. i think he was upset he fell to #8- he felt slighted and he SHOULD. there are people who think he's better than irvine and even the best player in this draft. he's a bit 'unpolished' but he's hardly a project- his game will catch up with his talent level and his game even right now is pretty damn exciting. this pick fell in our laps and there's no way i wanted anyone else in this scenario. we'll figure the rest out later, but right now we have a dynamic young lead guard in the fold to pair with monroe, JJ, daye, etc.

2 really good 1st round picks in back to back years- can't help but be thrilled about that.

Agreed. We need talent and likely got the BPA.

in addition to his physical skills and athletic prowess, this kid has an incredible passion for the game and a ridiculous work ethic/competitive drive. no need to worry about him slacking off and becoming a bust- this kid took so many classes in his freshman year that he qualified as a junior! he spends countless hours in the gym working on his game and i feel he's a very safe pick despite the fact that he still has so much unrealized potential.

he's bright and highly competitive and he loves the big moment too. there are a ton of highly skilled players who lack those key ingredients. knight also has the 'mr. big shot' intangibles and is a great leader on and off the court. he and monroe are 2 outstanding young building blocks for us and i can't wait to see this kid killing it on the pick and roll.

5 John Calipari coached players have been picked in the top 10 since 2008. Derrick Rose. Tyreke Evans. Demarcus Cousins. John Wall. And now Brandon Knight. Couple rookie of the year awards and all made the all-rookie first team (except knight, of course).

Sure, the pistons will take this gift. No problem. Great pick.

as for singler....wasn't thrilled with the pick but the more i look at it the more sense it makes. if he can be a scrappy shot maker in the poor man's nocioni mold, this kid brings great intangibles to our team along with his pasty white skin. aside from being glow-in-the-dark white and a subpar athlete, this kid is a fierce competitor and could give us solid 5-7 minutes a night and shot making ability.

he doesn't fill a glamour role and he's not an exciting or sexy pick, but he could be a good 9th or 10th man. i like what he brings to the lockeroom. if he becomes a brian cardinal, outstanding if you ask me. as long as we don't ever pay him $30 million over 5 years......

still disappointed we passed on dejuan blair again.

I would have much rather had Thompkins or Tyler, two bigs that can play D.

i hate Charlotte, they stole my beloved Biyombo :( the Kings are fcking stupid to make that deal
i really hope Knight is any good, another combo guard, hooray -.-

ESPN analyst gives Pistons A-minus for their draft http://dlvr.it/XhCtC

Too soon to start the 2012 draft thread? I hear it's going to be pretty hot. Lots of playmakers with high basketball IQs. Not a whole lot of conscientious objectors.

Any good combo guards?

http://www.nbadraft.net/2012mock_draft

Lambs coaching Lamb. So sweet.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2012mock_draft

Lambs coaching Lamb. So sweet.

Holy pop ups/adware!

Uh oh. Strike 2.

(I'm having no problems)

TWolves pick Targuy Nbombo really is 27 and not 21 and thus was ineligible for draft.

wait...

There is a top age limit?

His name's actually Tanguy. Love the name, being an aspiring guido and all.

Looks like he got Kahned.

(Oh yes, I went there....)



http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Wolves-second-round-pick-lied-about-age-should-?urn=nba-wp5562

From McHale to this guy. Poor Motown.

Looks like he got Kahned.

(Oh yes, I went there....)




http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Wolves-second-round-pick-lied-about-age-should-?urn=nba-wp5562
I laughed

Bill Simmons almost gets this right... to a point:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6698842/welcome-draft-diary-xv


A quick recap of Kahn's 24 months in charge: his Timberwolves lost 132 of 164 games; he used the fifth and sixth picks in the 2009 draft to take a Spanish guard who couldn't come over for two years and a point guard who bombed so badly that he's probably getting traded tonight; he drafted three point guards in 2009 and three small forwards in 2010; he locked down a center combo of Nik Pekovic and Darko Milicic for a measly $9.3 million a year; he gave Ramon Sessions $16 million over four years, decided he didn't like Sessions, dumped him in a trade, then gave the exact same deal to Luke Ridnour (who didn't deserve it either); he starred in a YouTube clip called "Chris Webber Clowns Incompetent GM David Kahn"; he whiffed on Steph Curry and DeMarcus Cousins in back-to-back drafts; and he hired and fired a head coach. Other than that, things went pretty well.2

7:45 -- Kudos to Kahn for not overthinking

Kahn clearly does not need encouragement to underthink. :)

It is arguable that Joe recent history is worse. Terrible picks, whiffed on Darko in arguably the best top 5 draft ever. 9.3M per year for 2 Centers? Not bad at all. Ridnour to the tune of 16M over 4? Not even remotely close to what we did with Maxiell, Rip, Charlie, BenGo, and Stuckey soon (don't worry, we will most certainly overpay. My guess is 8M starting). And I am calling a preemptive whiff on Singler. We could have traded that pick for a future first.

Joe D lucked into Monroe with one stupid GM and we lucked into Knight. 97.1 on draft night said that in a private conversation, Joe was trying to trade with Toronto to move up to 5 and get Biyombo (right after Utah picked). Toronto had Valanciunas at the top of their draft board and assumed Cleveland was going to take him. As for what Joe would have given up to move 3 spots, it wouldn't have been pretty. Really the only assets that they would take would have been our other picks, Daye, and future picks. My guess is Joe was saved from doing something bad with our future picks when Cleveland took Thompson. When Toronto saw the Tristan go, they cancelled their deal with Joe. Cho really stuck it to Joe in this draft, and if Knight pans out (which I think he will do), it will only be because of luck. Now if Biyombo pans out, then I will be pissed.

I don't mind the pick. He had to take him there (the alternative was reaching for Morris). Now they just need to find a taker for RIP. Might as well move Bynum too (he has to have some value). Chicago still needs a SG (Butler is more or a SF and not a great scorer).

I still think Utah has to be a possibility with all those big men they have. Not sure if they'd want RIP (maybe he could buy Burcs a year to develop an outside shot). We could take on Jefferson and give them some cap space to resign Favors and Hayward. I'd really like to get Favors though. Would they do Bynum and a 1st for him?

I doubt it considering they basically traded Deron Williams for him

I doubt it considering they basically traded Deron Williams for him

They got Devin Harris and two first round picks too. You are implying that Bynum + 1st = Deron in this case, which it does not. The math would be Deron = Harris, Bynum, Det 1st and 2 NJ 1sts. That would be the eventual completion to moving Williams if they dealt with Detroit.