Say whatever else you want to about him, but he's the only local to speak up as far as I know...

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060709/SPORTS21/607090621/1089/COL08


DREW SHARP: Tightfisted owner played part in Big Ben's departure

July 9, 2006

Why isn't Bill Davidson drawing his fair share of criticism in the aftermath of Big Bad Ben's Big Bold Bolt?

The Pistons owner's reluctance to give El Presidente, Joe Dumars, the green light to push team payroll into the luxury tax realm was an integral factor in the Ben Wallace negotiations.

The Pistons have earned a much-deserved reputation throughout the league as a first-class organization. They were the first franchise to provide a customized private plane for their players. The Palace remains a state-of-the-art facility as it approaches its 18th birthday, and it was all privately financed.

But Davidson's reluctance to flirt with the player payroll luxury tax comes across as unnecessarily cheap.

All of this organizational talk about keeping the core intact for at least a couple more years of title contention was lip service. Many on the team knew there was no way Davidson would endorse the fat checks necessary to keep Wallace and Chauncey Billups once he opts out of his contract next summer.

There's no disputing the insanity of Chicago's $60-million offer. If a crazy man's throwing money to the wind, you don't join him because you have the means.

But Davidson is cheating his team if he remains inflexible in regard to the luxury tax. The Pistons' inability to draft and develop a future star means they'll have to pay to seriously challenge for titles in the new offensively charitable NBA.

If his last name were Ford, the heat on him right now would know no bounds.

Boy it's gonna get real interesting next off-season when Chauncey is up for free agency.

This fantasy of 'team loyalty' isn't going to work anymore. Offer him the most money (or a comparable offer) or say good-bye. Saying "at least we don't overpay players" is fine and good until you're a 45 win team losing in the semifinals every year, then it's no comfort at all.

I don't think there'll be as much money in basketball in 3-5 years as there is now. 2008 is a key moment, between the Olympics and TV contract renewal. Somehow, I don't see a TV network overbidding for NBA action like ABC did, especially when you look at the Finals. Wade, Shaq, and the Dirk White Hope couldn't get much better ratings than we did against the Spurs. If our All Star Olympic team loses again and the general response is ho-hum... watch out.

Drew is the man...anyone that EVER thought he was bought and paid for is out of their mind.

But if Lebron, Wade and the rest take on the world and win with style and grace what happens then?

What happens if Cleveland v Miami is the ECF next season and in 2008?

And if Phoenix v Dallas is the WCF for those years as well?

The league is entering a new era of running and gunning and only complete domination by big men like Brand, Oden, Howard, Amare etc will slow that shit down.

BTW:


This fantasy of 'team loyalty' isn't going to work anymore. Offer him the most money (or a comparable offer) or say good-bye. Saying "at least we don't overpay players" is fine and good until you're a 45 win team losing in the semifinals every year, then it's no comfort at all.

The "team loyalty" thing didn't work with Ben and right now many people are predicting a 45 win (or less!) season for us!

So, either we come up with a fair offer for Chauncey or he'll be gone too?

In the end it all depends on who has cap space.

Why isn't Bill Davidson drawing his fair share of criticism in the aftermath of Big Bad Ben's Big Bold Bolt?

He obviously never read a WOD post or even heard of us ;)

I love how u are referencing a player that isn't even in the league yet

HUH?

Why isn't Bill Davidson drawing his fair share of criticism in the aftermath of Big Bad Ben's Big Bold Bolt?


There's no disputing the insanity of Chicago's $60-million offer. If a crazy man's throwing money to the wind, you don't join him because you have the means.

Am I the only one that has trouble reconciling those two statements?

Either he's tightfisted and should've matched... or the offer was insanity that you don't follow just because you have the means. How can it be both?

It can't be both.

Based on the numbers I worked out if we wanted to avoid the luxury tax and use the full MLE Ben could not get a starting salary of more than $12,000,000

So, I assume that Davidson's refusal to even go over the tax a little is what is being referenced.

We don't know if Ben would have stayed for $13mil per. We'll never know.

That average was never offered because AND ONLY because Davidson does not want to pay the tax.

Drew Sharp is a 1st-class scumbag. I wouldn't read anythign he wrote if you paid me.

I don't think there'll be as much money in basketball in 3-5 years as there is now. 2008 is a key moment, between the Olympics and TV contract renewal. Somehow, I don't see a TV network overbidding for NBA action like ABC did, especially when you look at the Finals. Wade, Shaq, and the Dirk White Hope couldn't get much better ratings than we did against the Spurs. If our All Star Olympic team loses again and the general response is ho-hum... watch out.

dont be so sure. the big ten just created its own channel that will increase revenue by ~10 million dollars per team per year.

the nba already has that in nbatv. they can show all the games they want, and not have to share revenue with the networks. watch for the nba to work hard on the nbatv, its the next cash cow. i wouldnt be surprised at all to see nbatv become part of basic cable soon.

yea, fairly good article by drew. its almost disturbing how often i find myself agreeing with him and bill simmons these days.

yea, fairly good article by drew. its almost disturbing how often i find myself agreeing with him and bill simmons these days.

LOL

So fitting....

As the saying goes, when drew sharp agrees with you, you've pretty much lost the argument....

uh huh, coming from the same guy who said he didnt read the article. but nice to know your willing to talk completely out of your ass. i'll keep that in mind the next time i feel like calling you out on something stupid you wrote.

Sharp may not be bought and paid for but Gaystat surely is.

http://awfulannouncing.com/2015/detroit-free-press-writer-caught-plagiarizing-article-from-online-site.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=detroit-free-press-writer-caught-plagiarizing-article-from-online-site

Disgusting! Worse than being a terrorist.

Yeah!!! You tell 'em Drew!!!

Pistons won't contend for title with Drummond as centerpiece (http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/drew-sharp/2016/05/31/detroit-pistons-andre-drummond-future-drew-sharp/85224798/)

If there’s any fiscally logical way the Pistons could trade Drummond and his future contract to Philadelphia for both Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel, Van Gundy and Gores should approve it in a second.

Just popped that into the trade machine, lol. Had to include Tolly.

Philly's going to trade one of those two because everyone thinks (KNOWS) that they can't play together, so going and getting them both sounds exactly like what we should do.

And they are both 60-65% FT guys, so yeah that's better, but is increasing FT% from 30 to 60% worth it? ha ha

But DS knows how to troll for clicks.

I'm ok with keeping Dre but his flaws have really started to shine through more with the spotlight. Gets lazy on defense A LOT.

Considering this was supposed to be his breakout year and basically he got exposed with his 35% FT and sulking on the bench. I would not shed a tear if he was traded.

RIP