Summer League Stuff

Post #1 » by **Smitty731** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 4:06 am

Hey guys!

I've been covering the Orlando Summer League this week. I had a chance to talk to a bunch of different Pistons guys and wanted to share some of what they said:

1. The team is very high on Henry Ellenson. They were shocked he was there for them to draft. Same with Michael Gbinije. They think both guys will fit in great and be big parts of the team.

2. With Gbinije coming in, they were really bummed Hilliard got hurt. They feel like this is a big summer for him and that wing spot is a little bit crowded.

3. On Ellenson, he needs to add bulk in the worst way and he's a mess defensively. But he can shoot (hasn't shot great in SL so far, but everything is smooth) and he has a high basketball IQ.

4. They really like Jordan Bachynski a lot. If they moved Baynes, he would likely make the team. He could steal a roster spot. Rumor is he has some big overseas offer coming, so he may take that over a camp battle for a spot.

5. They would have liked to get Bairstow to SL, but couldn't make it happen. No one really said why, but you could tell they weren't real happy about it.

6. Joel Anthony is a lock to make the team unless they need the roster spot. They repeatedly called him the locker room grownup and feel like he's important.

7. Jon Leuer will play a big role. They love what he brings. Both his shooting and his professionalism. Getting a professional bench was mentioned several times.

8. Stanley Johnson is jacked! He said he's been working out constantly since the season ended. He was very good in the first game and not so good in the second. He was forcing things a lot today. He never wants to leave the floor and the team loves everything about his attitude.

9. Reggie Bullock's improvement was a big part of trading Jodie Meeks. They said it was hard to part with Meeks, because they love his attitude and felt like he would come back strong. But it was a move they had to make and Bullock being there made them comfortable with it.

10. They are going to keep some cap space open for roster tinkering. They want to add a 3rd PG, but they'll wait until the end of the summer. Also, don't be surprised if it is Phil Pressey. He's very highly thought of.

11. Last one: They feel like this year they can take a huge step forward with a whole year to jell. They full on feel like they should have homecourt advantage.

Nothing you may not have already known, but just some notes I wanted to share.

Han Solo · Post #2 » by **Han Solo** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 4:12 am

Thanks!

Post #3 » by **Snakebites** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 4:27 am

That's pretty cool to get a perspective from someone who's there. Its tough to get that since Orlando summer league isn't open to the public.

It doesn't surprise me that they're looking for a third point guard, as an injury to Reggie or Smith could be a disaster for us much like its been in recent years when a PG got hurt. Definitely interesting that we're for sure bringing Joel Anthony back, and surprising that the speculation that we might want another 4/5 on the team doesn't appear to hold much water, at least not from what you're saying here.

Thanks.

Alexander · Post #4 » by **Alexander** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 4:30 am

So our player pool is...
Johnson/Smith/Gbinije*/Pressey**
Caldwell-Pope/Bullock***/Hillard
Morris/Johnson
Harris/Leuer/Ellenson/Bairstow****
Drummond/Baynes*****/Anthony******/Bachynski*******

*Calling Gbinije a PG until further notice, as wing spot is overcrowded. Likely to make roster, as team is excited about him
**Pressey could eventually make roster as third PG, my guess is he would have to outplay Gbinije significantly
***Bullock has rotation spot secured enough to move Meeks
****Bairstow SL absence could potentially cost him a roster spot?
*****Baynes potentially on trade block, possibly because team excited about Ellenson. Wonder what they would target?
******Team values Anthony, likely third string C
*******Bachynski longshot to make roster, Baynes would have to be moved

17 players vying for 15 spots, maybe 14 if SVG and co want to hold onto cap space and see what happens.

DocRI · Post #5 » by **DocRI** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 4:34 am

Smitty731 wrote:Hey guys!

I've been covering the Orlando Summer League this week. I had a chance to talk to a bunch of different Pistons guys and wanted to share some of what they said:

1. The team is very high on Henry Ellenson. They were shocked he was there for them to draft. Same with Michael Gbinije. They think both guys will fit in great and be big parts of the team.

2. With Gbinije coming in, they were really bummed Hilliard got hurt. They feel like this is a big summer for him and that wing spot is a little bit crowded.

3. On Ellenson, he needs to add bulk in the worst way and he's a mess defensively. But he can shoot (hasn't shot great in SL so far, but everything is smooth) and he has a high basketball IQ.

4. They really like Jordan Bachynski a lot. If they moved Baynes, he would likely make the team. He could steal a roster spot. Rumor is he has some big overseas offer coming, so he may take that over a camp battle for a spot.

5. They would have liked to get Bairstow to SL, but couldn't make it happen. No one really said why, but you could tell they weren't real happy about it.

6. Joel Anthony is a lock to make the team unless they need the roster spot. They repeatedly called him the locker room grownup and feel like he's important.

7. Jon Leuer will play a big role. They love what he brings. Both his shooting and his professionalism. Getting a professional bench was mentioned several times.

8. Stanley Johnson is jacked! He said he's been working out constantly since the season ended. He was very good in the first game and not so good in the second. He was forcing things a lot today. He never wants to leave the floor and the team loves everything about his attitude.

9. Reggie Bullock's improvement was a big part of trading Jodie Meeks. They said it was hard to part with Meeks, because they love his attitude and felt like he would come back strong. But it was a move they had to make and Bullock being there made them comfortable with it.

10. They are going to keep some cap space open for roster tinkering. They want to add a 3rd PG, but they'll wait until the end of the summer. Also, don't be surprised if it is Phil Pressey. He's very highly thought of.

11. Last one: They feel like this year they can take a huge step forward with a whole year to jell. They full on feel like they should have homecourt advantage.

Nothing you may not have already known, but just some notes I wanted to share.

AWESOME post, Smitty, and thank you for sharing what you know! Also, FWIW, you did a tremendous (and professional) job covering the craziness that was Durant's decision the past 24 hours.

Just curious if you've heard any more about #2 on your list. I read that SVG said he wanted to use Summer League to evaluate if Gbinije could handle the role of 3rd PG as a rookie; in wake of his ankle sprain and missing the rest of this opportunity to grab that slot, do you think the Pistons are gonna look to sign another (really cheap) PG? Or are they so high on the kid that they'll roll with him as 3rd PG even with how unproven he is? Thanks!

EDITED TO ADD — I mean beyond what you wrote with #10 about Pressey. Like could Jarret Jack, or some other PG who can cover some minutes at SG, be considered?

Scout Taron · Post #6 » by **Scout Taron** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 5:19 am

Really appreciate this. It gives us some insight on what the rest of Stan's plans are. I don't think any of us were really certain on who he was planning on bringing back/what he was pursuing with the remaining roster spots.

The Moose · Post #7 » by **The Moose** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 5:32 am

Bairstow would be preparing for the Olympics I think

zeebneeb · Post #8 » by **zeebneeb** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 5:38 am

I love it when what I think matches up with what the team thinks. (Internal growth, 3rd point gaurd instead of a sg)

Team believes they will have home court as well. I really believe 4th seed this year may have to have upwards of 50 wins to do it.

Blkbrd671 · Post #9 » by **Blkbrd671** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 6:11 am

I've been reading almost every single article that are beat writers are putting out and the only thing Smitty mentioned that isnt mentioned by them is Bairstow. Which is interesting as there is clearly a position open for the 3rd center. So its either Smitty read all the articles and reposted the news here or he was involved in the same Q&A's as our beat writers. Thx Smitty!!!

tmorgan · Post #10 » by **tmorgan** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 8:50 am

Bairstow is a scrub and was likely never getting a roster spot. The fact that they wanted a two year vet to come to SL and prove his worth is all you need to know.

MrBigShot · Post #11 » by **MrBigShot** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 9:28 am

Thanks for sharing man.

Post #12 » by **dVs33** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 9:35 am

Can't imagine Bairstow comes back. I'd rather have Anthony as a 3rd/4th centre. We need a guy that can defend.

Post #13 » by **dVs33** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 9:36 am

Thanks for sharing Smitty :clap:

MotownMadness · Post #14 » by **MotownMadness** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 11:20 am

Good stuff man

Liqourish · Post #15 » by **Liqourish** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 11:31 am

How are they going to keep capspace? Once Dre is signed we are over the cap. Are they not going to sign him??

Kilo · Post #16 » by **Kilo** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 11:33 am

Bairstow has Aussie Olympic team commitment. Bachynski left our SL team to play for Denver's I think (one of the Revue teams anyways) but he hasn't looked bad as a depth big. I don't think he supplants Baynes though considering Bachynski wasn't even in the league last year - to just to being our primary back-up. Ellenson needs to basically red shirt this season - he's a young 19yo to look at him. Plus if he pulls some of that behind the back stuff in the Association somebody will lay him out. Anthony makes no sense here - sure he is the adult, but it's time to "cut the cord" and let our boys become the men. Johnson might be getting too jacked for his size - he's built like a running back though so maybe he can keep his speed agility. Pressley has looked like doo-doo, and he's really small - Can't see him making the team at all.

Thanks for the info though - sounds like you were sitting right beside Stan Van (or Langlois LOL) with all the sunshine.

ImHeisenberg · Post #17 » by **ImHeisenberg** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 12:04 pm

Liqourish wrote:How are they going to keep capspace? Once Dre is signed we are over the cap. Are they not going to sign him??

Maybe they meant that they're not going to sign anyone else prior to signing Drummond. Maybe leaving the door open to trades.

Liqourish · Post #18 » by **Liqourish** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 12:06 pm

ImHeisenberg wrote:
Liqourish wrote:How are they going to keep capspace? Once Dre is signed we are over the cap. Are they not going to sign him??

Maybe they meant that they're not going to sign anyone else prior to signing Drummond. Maybe leaving the door open to trades.

But they can't. Once Dre is signed, our capspace is gone. We have nothing to sign anyone else or take on salary in any trades.

Post #19 » by **Smitty731** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 12:12 pm

DocRI wrote:
Smitty731 wrote:
AWESOME post, Smitty, and thank you for sharing what you know! Also, FWIW, you did a tremendous (and professional) job covering the craziness that was Durant's decision the past 24 hours.

Just curious if you've heard any more about #2 on your list. I read that SVG said he wanted to use Summer League to evaluate if Gbinije could handle the role of 3rd PG as a rookie; in wake of his ankle sprain and missing the rest of this opportunity to grab that slot, do you think the Pistons are gonna look to sign another (really cheap) PG? Or are they so high on the kid that they'll roll with him as 3rd PG even with how unproven he is? Thanks!

EDITED TO ADD — I mean beyond what you wrote with #10 about Pressey. Like could Jarret Jack, or some other PG who can cover some minutes at SG, be considered?

Thanks for the kind words man. I appreciate it! That was one of the more surreal situations. Very cool to be a very small (VERY small) part of!

One of the other guys asked about Gbinije at the point and the answer was "Summer League is for experimenting." So, I don't think they see him as a PG long term at all, but wanted to see what he could do.

I think they'll look for a more true PG option. Someone who is professional and will stay ready, but isn't going to make a big stink about playing time.

And sorry for the long response time. I crashed fairly soon after throwing the post up.

Post #20 » by **Smitty731** » Tue Jul 5, 2016 12:16 pm

Blkbrd671 wrote:I've been reading almost every single article that are beat writers are putting out and the only thing Smitty mentioned that isnt mentioned by them is Bairstow. Which is interesting as there is clearly a position open for the 3rd center. So its either Smitty read all the articles and reposted the news here or he was involved in the same Q&A's as our beat writers. Thx Smitty!!!

I'll follow up on Bairstow being with the national team and see what the thought is. I didn't consider that. I know the Knicks, for example, asked Porzingis to skip the Olympic Qualifiers for Latvia. Not the same situation, but teams do ask.

I was around a bunch of the Pistons beat guys a lot since Saturday. I actually saw the Leuer tweet first and got it to a couple of the guys. Not that I broke that news or anything, but I saw his agency tweet it and threw it out in the room. FWIW one of the guys (I won't name him) said, "Who? That big white dude from Wisconsin? HOW MUCH?"

One of the things that I've found cool is that almost all of the Pistons guys are very open. I think it helps that the shopping is mostly done, so there aren't really any secrets worth keeping.