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I know Andre has been a leader for our squad more or less over the past several years. He's the longest tenured Piston on the squad if I'm not mistaken. Part of me wishes he had a big man mentor to help his development process, despite improvements in his effort and overall numbers. I was watching Charles Barkley's eulogy at Moses Malone's funeral service and he was talking about how Malone's adoption and oversight of Barkley's young career was crucial to his development. It kept him eating well and working tirelessly to improve his game.

How much is Drummond missing a big man mentor? Do you feel that he needs one?

He had Roy Rogers (I don't know where he is now) who also developed Greg Monroe. He's also worked with Rasheed Wallace. Hopla is doing a great job with developing his shooting.

Yeah Hopla got Dre shooting free throws like Chauncey now best big man coach lol

The NBA is suffering by not having mentors like in the past. Moses was a special leader who took the time to help players at every stop in his career. IMHO he was traded several times late in his career for his leadership and mentoring. Looking at Kevin Willis who after being under Moses for 2 yrs became a 20/15 player Im sure had an effect as well as Moses ending in San Antonio just before DRob wins his MVP.

I think times have changed a bit since the time you're talking about. Coaching staffs are near 10 deep now with specialized big man coaches and big may player development types. Also with video and information at your finger tips you can get scouting videos on virtually any bigman from the past and present to study. Also there are off-season big man camps and the like as well where you can work with bigs from the past on development - in the past teams were very insular and other team players were enemies. Now players are all buddy-buddy and work out with each other and try to help each other cross franchise lines.

We overpaid Anthony a bit - why? Isn't that a reason?

i dont think I yes referring to game mentors. sounds like he means more personal mentors. helping with the intangibles off the court. more teams need to employ people like that. keep the attitudes and young minds and bad diets in check.

Maybe Dikembe will take the job he seems to like him

Laimbeer wrote:We overpaid Anthony a bit - why? Isn't that a reason?

I have heard Joel has been a mentor to a few players on the team.

Wonder why Dobber never got a chance as the Pistons bmc... he had a gr8 feel for offensive techniques