Your grade on Detroit's Off season?

[Laimbeer]

There a thread on the Trade board and I was wondering about our fan base assessment since it looks like we're pretty much done.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1403395#start_here

[vic]

I like A because the team is going to be transformed for this year...
but I gave them a B because Arnie Kander left and Quincy Miller was traded for Steve Blake.
Mainly losing Arnie.

[Spider156]

I gave it a B. None of these moves are outstanding with IMO the drafting of Stanley Johnson but that's yet to be proven. I really like the Ilyasova trade, I'd give that an A. Knowing his health though, I'm not sure what we'll get out of him.

The A grade comes from the coach. You guys will be stunned by how great of a coach SVG is. These moves aren't great but his coaching is amazing. The hardest part is starting on a good note and I believe Jackson and Drummond will make that a priority. We can survive with just one or two playmakers in the beginning. Once Jennings comes back, we'll have a dynamic duo.

[zeebneeb]

Absolutely an A. The goal was to trasform the team to fit SVG system. It does, and it does perfectly.

1.)Formidable starting 5. Check. Complete inside out game. 4-1 done to complete perfection. Best pick and roll point guard in the league running it. Best pg Stan has ever had in his system. Dominant big man in the middle. Best offensive rebounder in the league in place. Best pick and roll tandem in the league with stats stretched out to 82 games bya country mile. Perfect stretch 4 for Stan's system in place. Erson is a fantastic three point shooter that defenders cannot back off of. He can also drive the lane, and dish. A perfect complement to Drummond. This also means tall/big doubles like when we had Monroe on the floor absolutely cannot happen. A young, damn good SF. Finally. Marcus is a perfect fit for Stan's system. Long, and able to hit threes at a career 36.3% clip. He will find himself open constantly in this system. His job is to stretch the offense, and he is absolutely going to do that. Third year defensive hound in Pope. His shooting isn't just hot/cold, it's absolutely home/away. He was brilliant on offense for 41 games last year. His shooting numbers were fantastic at home (39.4% from Three 44.5% overall) this is his third year, and expectations are high. If he can replicate his home numbers on the road like he should be doing, it's going to be a tough year for opponents.

2.)Killer bench. A often overlooked part of this rebuilt/revamped Piston team, and the reason I am picking them to win 50+games. It allows for proper rotations, and for SVG'S system to be played the entire game, instead of round hole/square peg we played last year. Our current PG depth is stupid good. We can throw passing, shooting, height, veteran savvy, you name it at this position. It also allows for a 1-2pg to play at the same time because of Dinwiddies hieght, and Jennings shooting prowess. I believe this is our most talented position, and the most important one in Stan's system. Perfection. SG. This is the opposite of pg to me. Meeks has always been a killer shooter but last year for long stretches of games he was utterly worthless. I've heard he had a back injury greatly limiting him. If he plays like he can, and is healed, it could be amazing. There is a reason Pope lead our team in minutes, and I'm hoping he gets the help he deserves from Meeks this year. SF is an awesome looking slot as well right now, and offers up the second most dynamic position on the team. Stanimal is a bruiser that will be able to plow into the lane at will, and could become the starter in short order. The 1-2 punch of Morris and Johnson will really hurt teams, as they offer different looks. Tolliver is a well traveled, and perfect bench stretch 4. Not much to say, other then he is now in the perfect position to succeed, and to help rest erson. Bynes is the other new piece I'm really excited about. He can both spell Drummond, and can play alongside him. Great free throw shooter, and a really rough and tumble player who will bring toughness, and grit to the squad. Love mixing it up, and can hit shots out to the three point line. He may end up playing a ton in crunch time and he is bringing alot of the spurs with him. Love his game, and his attitude.

Absolute A for the offseason.

[DBC10]

I don't think we deserve an A unless we somehow land a top 3 pick or land an all-star. On top of that, I think we'd need to be contenders in order to deserve an A.

I give us a solid B, maybe B+. We flipped the team for youngish assets on cheap contracts and we finally managed to find spacing post-Monroe and the Josh Smith chemotherapy.

Everything about this team is projected upwards, so there's at least a good chance of something magical happening again this season, like the Jennings-led Cinderella run.

[Billl]

Assuming C = stayed the same, I went with a B. I think we hit a bunch of singles and made improvement.

[eddh0713]

Absolutely an A. The goal was to trasform the team to fit SVG system. It does, and it does perfectly.

1.)Formidable starting 5. Check. Complete inside out game. 4-1 done to complete perfection. Best pick and roll point guard in the league running it. Best pg Stan has ever had in his system. Dominant big man in the middle. Best offensive rebounder in the league in place. Best pick and roll tandem in the league with stats stretched out to 82 games bya country mile. Perfect stretch 4 for Stan's system in place. Erson is a fantastic three point shooter that defenders cannot back off of. He can also drive the lane, and dish. A perfect complement to Drummond. This also means tall/big doubles like when we had Monroe on the floor absolutely cannot happen. A young, damn good SF. Finally. Marcus is a perfect fit for Stan's system. Long, and able to hit threes at a career 36.3% clip. He will find himself open constantly in this system. His job is to stretch the offense, and he is absolutely going to do that. Third year defensive hound in Pope. His shooting isn't just hot/cold, it's absolutely home/away. He was brilliant on offense for 41 games last year. His shooting numbers were fantastic at home (39.4% from Three 44.5% overall) this is his third year, and expectations are high. If he can replicate his home numbers on the road like he should be doing, it's going to be a tough year for opponents.

2.)Killer bench. A often overlooked part of this rebuilt/revamped Piston team, and the reason I am picking them to win 50+games. It allows for proper rotations, and for SVG'S system to be played the entire game, instead of round hole/square peg we played last year. Our current PG depth is stupid good. We can throw passing, shooting, height, veteran savvy, you name it at this position. It also allows for a 1-2pg to play at the same time because of Dinwiddies hieght, and Jennings shooting prowess. I believe this is our most talented position, and the most important one in Stan's system. Perfection. SG. This is the opposite of pg to me. Meeks has always been a killer shooter but last year for long stretches of games he was utterly worthless. I've heard he had a back injury greatly limiting him. If he plays like he can, and is healed, it could be amazing. There is a reason Pope lead our team in minutes, and I'm hoping he gets the help he deserves from Meeks this year. SF is an awesome looking slot as well right now, and offers up the second most dynamic position on the team. Stanimal is a bruiser that will be able to plow into the lane at will, and could become the starter in short order. The 1-2 punch of Morris and Johnson will really hurt teams, as they offer different looks. Tolliver is a well traveled, and perfect bench stretch 4. Not much to say, other then he is now in the perfect position to succeed, and to help rest erson. Bynes is the other new piece I'm really excited about. He can both spell Drummond, and can play alongside him. Great free throw shooter, and a really rough and tumble player who will bring toughness, and grit to the squad. Love mixing it up, and can hit shots out to the three point line. He may end up playing a ton in crunch time and he is bringing alot of the spurs with him. Love his game, and his attitude.

Absolute A for the offseason.

Agree with Z 100%. Only thing I add is that this all was done without locking us into any long term inflexible contracts. In other words, there is still a lot of flexibility left for next offseason.
I think an A grade means SVG did the best he could. There is NO WAY he was going to turn this team into a contender this quickly. Last year at this time he was still trying to put together a staff and add final pieces to the team. This year he has his whole team assembled already with some choices left to make at the bottom end of the roster. Could I want more than that? Of course, I could wish that we would win the championship this year. But, that ain't real. I think SVG is definitely on track with his five year plan and possibly a little ahead. I know it's hard to be patient but I believe in what SVG is doing.

[detroitKG]

I went B to B+
Nothing real sexy but all good moves to get us more flexible and better off next year and down the road..
Could eventually be an A depending on how everything plays out.

[theBigLip]

I don't think we deserve an A unless we somehow land a top 3 pick or land an all-star. On top of that, I think we'd need to be contenders in order to deserve an A.

I give us a solid B, maybe B+. We flipped the team for youngish assets on cheap contracts and we finally managed to find spacing post-Monroe and the Josh Smith chemotherapy.

Everything about this team is projected upwards, so there's at least a good chance of something magical happening again this season, like the Jennings-led Cinderella run.

This is my thoughts. An A is if we get a star. We had a solid off season, but not outstanding. I'm sold on SJ (I wasn't before the draft), and Illayasova trade was very shrewd and should be a great fit. And let's face it - we did sign RJ as well. So we are on the right path, and we actually have a path that is clear. I think next summer is when we get our star.

[Blkbrd671]

I don't think we deserve an A unless we somehow land a top 3 pick or land an all-star. On top of that, I think we'd need to be contenders in order to deserve an A.

I give us a solid B, maybe B+. We flipped the team for youngish assets on cheap contracts and we finally managed to find spacing post-Monroe and the Josh Smith chemotherapy.

Everything about this team is projected upwards, so there's at least a good chance of something magical happening again this season, like the Jennings-led Cinderella run.

This is my thoughts. An A is if we get a star. We had a solid off season, but not outstanding. I'm sold on SJ (I wasn't before the draft), and Illayasova trade was very shrewd and should be a great fit. And let's face it - we did sign RJ as well. So we are on the right path, and we actually have a path that is clear. I think next summer is when we get our star.

i don't think its fair to define a offseason by who "we land". i mean if we somehow landed Carmelo for KCP,SJ+ 2 first rounders, i wouldn't give us a grade A.

I think when you look@

We acquired a starting 4 who was a target for literally nothing
We acquired starting SF +upgrades or competition for backup role
We resigned RJ
We drafted SJ
Signed Blake
Didn't sign Monroe

i think in terms of value(contracts & skillset) vs assets given up we most definitely win
i think in terms of drafting we most certainly are in the discussion for Steals and maybe ROY
We addressed multiple vacancies in starting roles
We resigned our franchise pg long term on a bargain deal
Most importantly: we didn't make any poor signings that will cripple us in the future

I would give us a B+ and only because we didn't extend DRE. IF SJ turns out to be ROY, i would have to give us a A

[bballnmike]

I don't think we deserve an A unless we somehow land a top 3 pick or land an all-star. On top of that, I think we'd need to be contenders in order to deserve an A.

I give us a solid B, maybe B+. We flipped the team for youngish assets on cheap contracts and we finally managed to find spacing post-Monroe and the Josh Smith chemotherapy.

Everything about this team is projected upwards, so there's at least a good chance of something magical happening again this season, like the Jennings-led Cinderella run.

This is my thoughts. An A is if we get a star. We had a solid off season, but not outstanding. I'm sold on SJ (I wasn't before the draft), and Illayasova trade was very shrewd and should be a great fit. And let's face it - we did sign RJ as well. So we are on the right path, and we actually have a path that is clear. I think next summer is when we get our star.

i don't think its fair to define a offseason by who "we land". i mean if we somehow landed Carmelo for KCP,SJ+ 2 first rounders, i wouldn't give us a grade A.

I think when you look@

We acquired a starting 4 who was a target for literally nothing
We acquired starting SF +upgrades or competition for backup role
We resigned RJ
We drafted SJ
Signed Blake
Didn't sign Monroe

i think in terms of value(contracts & skillset) vs assets given up we most definitely win
i think in terms of drafting we most certainly are in the discussion for Steals and maybe ROY
We addressed multiple vacancies in starting roles
We resigned our franchise pg long term on a bargain deal
Most importantly: we didn't make any poor signings that will cripple us in the future

I would give us a B+ and only because we didn't extend DRE. IF SJ turns out to be ROY, i would have to give us a A

Agree. I look at it like grading on a curve.

[joedumars1]

A. Drafted who I wanted. No bad contracts, maybe RJ(doubtful).

A little off topic. A big key to winning is effort. Not all teams bring that every night, heck some bring it once a month or so, lol. I think KCP, Stanimal, RJ, and Dre will bring it every night this year (well most, hopefully every tho) on both ends. That will be contagious to everyone else too. Should be a fun season barring injury

[MrBigShot]

B. A would be reserved for a really massive talent influx.

We added pieces that should fit with the rest of the roster and re-signed our PG for 5 years. Brought in solid role players in Baynes/Morris/Ilyasova. Drafted a guy who I believe has a serious shot of becoming an all star, and actually has the work ethic and motor to go along with it...a rare combination these day. So all in all solid.

I was pretty critical of the Johnson drafting and Baynes move when we did them, but after taking a step back, summer league, learning new information about them I've come around a bit. This off season was light years better than anything Dumars has done in a long time, and this should give us a good shot at having a winning record and making the playoffs.

[Blkbrd671]

A. Drafted who I wanted. No bad contracts, maybe RJ(doubtful).

A little off topic. A big key to winning is effort. Not all teams bring that every night, heck some bring it once a month or so, lol. I think KCP, Stanimal, RJ, and Dre will bring it every night this year (well most, hopefully every tho) on both ends. That will be contagious to everyone else too. Should be a fun season barring injury

Honestly "bring it every night" isn't as simple as turning on a switch. DJ,BJ, and RJ all had to learn to play with a constant motor, as well as Dre. I am not disagreeing with you, i am just saying its something that has to be taught to most players.

[Blkbrd671]

B. A would be reserved for a really massive talent influx.

We added pieces that should fit with the rest of the roster and re-signed our PG for 5 years. Brought in solid role players in Baynes/Morris/Ilyasova. Drafted a guy who I believe has a serious shot of becoming an all star, and actually has the work ethic and motor to go along with it...a rare combination these day. So all in all solid.

I was pretty critical of the Johnson drafting and Baynes move when we did them, but after taking a step back, summer league, learning new information about them I've come around a bit. This off season was light years better than anything Dumars has done in a long time, and this should give us a good shot at having a winning record and making the playoffs.

Agreed, i hope that we end up in the 2nd round of the playoffs and SVG gets GM and Coach of the year. To go from the team that has had the worst W-L record in the last 5 years to playoff team in 2 seasons is phenomenal.

[joedumars1]

A. Drafted who I wanted. No bad contracts, maybe RJ(doubtful).

A little off topic. A big key to winning is effort. Not all teams bring that every night, heck some bring it once a month or so, lol. I think KCP, Stanimal, RJ, and Dre will bring it every night this year (well most, hopefully every tho) on both ends. That will be contagious to everyone else too. Should be a fun season barring injury

Honestly "bring it every night" isn't as simple as turning on a switch. DJ,BJ, and RJ all had to learn to play with a constant motor, as well as Dre. I am not disagreeing with you, i am just saying its something that has to be taught to most players.

I agree. I do know KCP and Stanimal will bring it everyday. I think RJ wants too, hopefully he does. Dre a little wary, but not to worried.

I just have a really good feeling about this team that I haven't had in years. Hopefully they don't let me down, i'm excited to watch some good basketball, haven't seen much of that in the past 7-8 years.

[Blkbrd671]

I agree. I do know KCP and Stanimal will bring it everyday. I think RJ wants too, hopefully he does. Dre a little wary, but not to worried.

I just have a really good feeling about this team that I haven't had in years. Hopefully they don't let me down, i'm excited to watch some good basketball, haven't seen much of that in the past 7-8 years.

i think the majority of us on this board feel the same way with a couple grumpy heads who have watched the team long enough to know better

[theBigLip]

I don't think we deserve an A unless we somehow land a top 3 pick or land an all-star. On top of that, I think we'd need to be contenders in order to deserve an A.

I give us a solid B, maybe B+. We flipped the team for youngish assets on cheap contracts and we finally managed to find spacing post-Monroe and the Josh Smith chemotherapy.

Everything about this team is projected upwards, so there's at least a good chance of something magical happening again this season, like the Jennings-led Cinderella run.

This is my thoughts. An A is if we get a star. We had a solid off season, but not outstanding. I'm sold on SJ (I wasn't before the draft), and Illayasova trade was very shrewd and should be a great fit. And let's face it - we did sign RJ as well. So we are on the right path, and we actually have a path that is clear. I think next summer is when we get our star.

i don't think its fair to define a offseason by who "we land". i mean if we somehow landed Carmelo for KCP,SJ+ 2 first rounders, i wouldn't give us a grade A.

I wouldn't give that trade an A anyway. I was thinking more of free agency, not trading our future. Don't get me wrong, I think we had a really good offseason. I still think we're a stud wing player away from contending. SJ and KCP could grow into that, but I think we need an established star there as well.

[Snakebites]

My grading scale:

F- team actively got worse

D- team had serious needs that were not addressed

C- team addressed needs, but not as well as possible and things could have been done better

B- team addressed needs in a satisfactory way, improved significantly and meaningfully

A- home run offeseason. Only a couple of teams a year would have A's.

In that spirit I think we're a C+ or a B-. If we'd drafted differently or gotten Drummond to sign an extension I'd put it in B range.

[hoophabit]

I gave them a B, while feeling it's a little early to be grading the moves. I'll feel a lot more confident after having a chance to see the team play. The trade pickups seem good fits and reasonable for a team in the Piston's situation. They need to find some success before becoming a really desirable FA destination. Drummond's extension can't enter into it for me at this point as there is still time (until 10/31) for this to occur. I confess to having drank the Kool Aid where SJ is concerned. I'm sure there will be an adjustment period, but to me that kid just seems to have "it."