Moderators: Cowology, theBigLip, Snakebites, dVs33
Nuggets Waive White
The Denver Nuggets have waived G/F James White, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today.
White made three appearances for Denver this preseason, averaging 7.3 ppg, 1.3 rpg and 1.00 spg in 14.0 minutes per contest. He registered a team-high-tying 13 points (10-14 FT) in 22 minutes during the preseason opener at Utah on 10/1.
Pistons Waive Baston
Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has requested waivers on forward Maceo Baston. He averaged 0.5 points, 0.5 rebounds and 3.5 minutes in five preseason games. Baston, 33, appeared in 27 games with the Indiana Pacers last season averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.0 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 12 points in a Pacers win over Miami (1/30) and had seven rebounds, an assist and two steals in a season-high 19 minutes. At Minnesota, (2/20), Baston tallied eight points, a season-high eight rebounds and a career-best three assists in 16 minutes.
Wolves Cut Reiner
Wolves free agent center Jared Reiner was cut loose today, basically about the same time as newly acquired big man Nathan Jawai joined the team at practice. The team’s roster stands at 14.
Kings Waive Ely, Smith
Following last night’s preseason game in Phoenix, the Sacramento Kings requested waivers on center-forward Melvin Ely and guard Lanny Smith, it was announced by Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. The Kings updated roster now stands at 14 players.
Ely, a seven-year NBA veteran, saw action in two preseason games, recording a point (1-2 FT) in five minutes off the bench. Smith played in one preseason game and was scoreless (0-2 FG, 0-1 3pt) in three minutes off the bench at Portland (10/6).
Brown's injured hand getting worse
Center Kwame Brown admitted Wednesday the injury to his left hand has progressively gotten worse over the preseason. Brown injured his hand during the first week of training camp, but has played through it.
Brown said he didn’t get it officially checked out by a doctor, but planned on getting an X-ray today. “Every practice I’m getting whacked so it’s getting worse.,” said Brown, who admitted he can’t close his hand. “It’s not frustrating, it’s part of the game. I’m just trying to focus on other things that I can do for us, getting teammates open, rebounding, running, playing good defense. But it’s definitely hindering a little bit of my game. It’s not letting me be as aggressive as I want to be.”
It’s a blow to Brown, who has had a good preseason thus far, starting all six games and averaging 7.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in just over 22 minutes a game. “He’s practiced everyday,” Kuester said. “He’s worked extremely hard and he’s really improved. That’s the thing I’ve been really pleased with, his ability to come out here and get better each time. I feel that he’s made great strides since the beginning of preseason."
Pistons waive Baston
The Pistons put forward Maceo Baston on waivers Wednesday. The former Michigan star averaged 0.5 points and 0.5 rebounds in 3.5 minutes per game during the preseason.
The move puts the Pistons roster at 15.
Villanueva ready for Palace debut
Forward Charlie Villanueva has had to wait longer than he expected to make his debut at The Palace as a Piston, but is ready to finally get that chance tonight against the Timberwolves. “I’m very excited,” said Villauneva, who missed the Pistons first five preseason games with a hamstring injury. “It’s painful sitting on the sidelines and watching the team go out there and play, and you can’t do much about it. But I’m feeling good, which is the most important part. I just can’t wait to get out there.”
Villanueva has used the past three days of practice to get more comfortable with the Pistons’ system and his new teammates, something he didn’t get a chance to do since he injured his hamstring so early in the preseason.“It’s been going well,” Villanueva said. “I’m just getting more comfortable with the plays, more comfortable with the guys out there. I’m coming along pretty well.”
Prince questionable for Thursday
Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince is questionable for Thursday’s game against the Timberwovles with a sprained big toe. Prince practiced Tuesday and Wednesday, but said he was unsure if he will play.“I practiced that don’t mean I’m back,” Prince said after practice Wednesday. “Obviously, practice is not game speed. I’m out here practicing, but I still feel uncomfortable. I can imagine game speed is going to be worse. We’ll see how it feels the rest of the day, with more treatment. We’ll see how it feels when I come in for shootaround.”
Prince injured the toe when he collided with Washington Javale McGee last week and has missed the Pistons last two preseason games with the injury. Prince also suffered a large cut on the bottom of his toe, which did not require stiches. Prince said the cut has healed and is no longer a problem, just the sprain is bothering him. “It’s tough when you got a sprained big toe,” Prince said. “A lot of guys have had that injury before. That’s one of the toughest injuries to have, especially me, I’m right-foot dominant. It makes it tough.”
Prince is probable
The cut on the bottom of Detroit Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince's right big toe has healed well enough that the team has him listed as probable for Thursday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 6-foot-9 Prince, who leads all active NBA players in consecutive regular-season starts with 436, was able to participate fully in Tuesday's practice. "He did a nice job," Piston coach John Kuester said. "He'll be ready play -- knock on wood -- if everything goes accordingly going into practice tomorrow."
On Monday, the Pistons said the injury likely would keep Prince out of the lineup for the rest of the preseason. Detroit opens the regular season Oct. 28 at Memphis.
Baston gets cut - here is the roster
Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has requested waivers on forward Maceo Baston. He averaged 0.5 points, 0.5 rebounds and 3.5 minutes in five preseason games.
Baston, 33, appeared in 27 games with the Indiana Pacers last season averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.0 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 12 points in a Pacers win over Miami (1/30) and had seven rebounds, an assist and two steals in a season-high 19 minutes. At Minnesota, (2/20), Baston tallied eight points, a season-high eight rebounds and a career-best three assists in 16 minutes.
Audio interview in the link above^.Charlie Villanueva
One of the newest Pistons discusses the upcoming season
Pistons release Maceo Baston
It’s official: Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has requested waivers on forward Maceo Baston. He averaged 0.5 points, 0.5 rebounds and 3.5 minutes in five preseason games.
The roster now stands at 15, pending a decision on Chucky Atkins. I assumed from the start that Atkins was brought in as an extra body for training camp, but I suppose it’s possible he enters the year with a non-guaranteed deal, giving him a couple of months to showcase his wares sit on the bench before being released in January. The only contracts that count toward the salary cap / luxury tax are those still on the roster at the end of the season. (via PistonPowered)
Video in the link above^.A Scorer’s Aura: The Ben Gordon Documentary
That’s the trailer for the aforementioned Ben Gordon documentary. I’m not sure when/where/how the finished product will be released, but I should have more info soon.
Is Tayshaun Prince’s defense slipping?
MLive’s Patrick Hayes tackled that question with an exhaustive (and objective) look at Prince’s body of work the last several seasons. It’s a must-read for Pistons fans.
Tulsa Lightning?
From the comments of previous stories, I suspect that most readers of this site aren’t particularly concerned about the future of the Detroit Shock. But for those who are, Dave Hogg takes a look at what fans in Tulsa should expect in 2010.
Captain Jack Almost a Piston
According to the Contra Costa Times, the Pistons apparently could have traded Tayshaun Prince for Stephen Jackson last season. The deal was killed when the Pistons were not willing to give Jackson a similar three-year, $27 million extension. But how would that trade have changed the Pistons fortunes? I think this would have been a good move back in February, but now with three rookie small forwards on the roster, it doesn’t make sense. Jackson is better at just about anything that Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Look at his line from last season: 20.7 points, 6.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 three-pointers, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. Those are serious digits, but they came at a price. Jackson was one of the least efficient players in the league. He shot .414/.338/.826 and led the league with 3.9 turnovers per game. Adding Jackson last season would have changed the entire landscape of what the Pistons have done over the past six months. Joe Dumars would have almost certainly not gone after Ben Gordon, because Captain Jack would have provided the scoring boost. However, power forward Charlie Villanueva may have remained a free-agent target. Dumars would have surely targeted a center with his remaining free-agent dollars and I have to think that guy would have been center David Lee.
I have always said that Lee should have been the team’s top free-agent target, and Dumars could have easily had him for the money he gave Gordon (five years, $55 million). Lee ended up accepting a one-year, $7 million deal from the Knicks. He led the league in double-doubles last season and could have turned the Pistons most glaring weakness into a strength. Having Jackson, along with his three-year extension, would have likely changed the draft strategy as well. Perhaps Austin Daye would still be a Piston, though he plays the same position as Jackson. Power forward James Johnson and point guard Ty Lawson would have likely been the other options. The second round would have certainly focused on a big man with the 35th pick, particularly DeJuan Blair. It still baffles me that Dumars took DeJuan Summers over Blair. I mentioned Blair as worthy of consideration with the 15th pick in June, and thought he was a no-brainer when he was still on the board at the 35th pick. Blair, now a Spur, has been the most impressive rookie of this preseason and will be an immediate contributor on a championship-caliber team.Jonas Jerebko and Chase Budinger would have still been targets, but Budinger would probably still be a Piston to provide depth behind Richard Hamilton.
So how does this rotation look?
PG: Rodney Stuckey/Ty Lawson
SG: Richard Hamilton/ Will Bynum/Chase Budinger
SF: Stephen Jackson/Jonas Jerebko
PF: Charlie Villanueva/DeJuan Blair/Jason Maxiell
C: David Lee/Kwame Brown/Ben Wallace
I know Jackson isn’t the most amicable guy on the block, but he is a leader, a gamer, and he would simply make this team better on the court. Hindsight, of course, is 20-20. But it is interesting to see how one move could have changed the face of the franchise.
Pistons waive Maceo Baston
From a team release: Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has requested waivers on forward Maceo Baston. He averaged 0.5 points, 0.5 rebounds and 3.5 minutes in five preseason games.
Baston, 33, appeared in 27 games with the Indiana Pacers last season averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.0 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 12 points in a Pacers win over Miami (1/30) and had seven rebounds, an assist and two steals in a season-high 19 minutes. At Minnesota, (2/20), Baston tallied eight points, a season-high eight rebounds and a career-best three assists in 16 minutes.
No surprise. Chucky, you’re next.
Player preview: DaJuan Summers
Essentials
Position: Small forward/ power forward
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 240 pounds
Years pro: Rookie
From: Georgetown
Role
Summers is buried on the bench right now. He’ll probably be inactive to start the season. I see a lot of D-League games for him this year.
Scouting report
Will: Score in many ways.
He can make jumpers, drive against bigger defenders and post up smaller threes. He will be a tough matchup (if he cracks the rotation).
Among the 13 small forwards drafted this year, Summers had the second-best true shooting percentage (via DraftExpress).