'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 68

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/trueblu ... 00324.html

NBA Players Association executive director Billy Hunter conducted an informational meeting with the Pistons following practice. Owners have the option to extend the current collective bargaining agreement beyond the 2010-11 season, but Hunter and NBA commissioner David Stern began negotiating last summer on the expectation that owners will not extend the existing deal.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/video/teams/pistons/ ... index.html

Jonas Jerebko Feature
Jonas Jerebko's mom, Elaine stops by to talk about her son's career and her opinion regarding his success in the NBA.

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100323/S ... ince-Ellis

[Comment From JimmyMackJimmyMack: ]
Looking back now, how big of a mistake was the Darko pick to where we are at now?

Vince: Huge. Get that pick right and the Pistons are definitely not going through their current struggles. I will add, though, the Pistons weren't the only ones who coveted Darko. Joe D. bit the bullet for some other GM.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100323/S ... ince-Ellis

[Comment From jayveejayvee: ]
Will we be able to unload CV ? What can we get for him realistically?

Vince: Uh, a bag of basketballs. Just kidding. I think the Pistons are stuck with CV. On the bright side he is still young so the light bulb might go off after this very disappointing season.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From MattMatt: ]
How much do you trust Joe D. as GM?

Vince: Well, I'm not a Pistons fan so I trust him just like I do any other GM. But his track record says that he will get it right. And that's all you can really go on.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100323/S ... ince-Ellis

[Comment From MichaelMichael: ]
Joe D was part of a rebuilding process where vets were kept too long. Why wasn't Prince and Hamilton moved long time ago?

Vince: So you would just move them for any old offer that comes along? And you got to remember this team is just two seasons removed from forcing a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals. You wanted to break it before then?

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From MattMatt: ]
Should the team look to deal Prince, Rip or any other players in the off season?

Vince: Prince and Rip are definitely in play. Rip probably more so than Tay because Tay comes off the books in 2011 and that gives you some financial flexibility. But that face also makes Tay the most likely to be dealt. And actually I love the way Tay has been playing since he fully recovered from his injuries. And it's not always bad to have a guy around playing for another contract.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From GillyGilly: ]
Is Stuckey damaged goods now? Since he WAS the player with the most potential/trade bait.

Vince: I don't think so. If there were something to be worried about long-term, he wouldn't be playing. Also, Stuckey isn't going anywhere - unless they get lucky and get the No. 1 pick and John Wall. Then the Pistons might entertain offers, but I doubt they would move Stuckey even then.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From Mike C from ConccordMike C from Conccord: ]
Given the fact that the Piston's are capped out and have little to spend on free agents, where do you see the future for the next 2 years?

Vince: They will have the mid-level this summer since Kwame's deal comes off the books. With salaries coming down, that might get you somebody like a Udonis Haslem, Marcus Camby or even a Jermaine O'Neal. Add him to a big man from the lottery and suddenly they don't have the worst frontcourt in the league.
4:15 Vince: Hard to say after that with the labor uncertainty.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From Big GuyBig Guy: ]
What would you like to see the team accomplish in this last meaningless month?

Vince: Get some playing time for Daye and Summers.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From JuanJuan: ]
Would you fire Kuester?

Vince: Nope.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From JuanJuan: ]
why vince?

Vince: OK, the Pistons gave Kuester a 2-year deal, $4-mill deal with a team option for a third so that's what they're paying. The reason they didn't get Collins or Avery Johnson was because of they ain't paying no money. Who are they going to hire for that? Also I think if they fire Kuester there would be three coaches on the payroll - Curry, Kuester and the new hire.
4:19 Vince: The problems of this team go way beyond Kuester.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From kennykenny: ]
They need a dominant center now....Kwame Brown is sooo slow and flat footed? get him ouuta here

Vince: The team isn't listed now.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From JeffyJeffy: ]
Any word on the team being for sale? Does anyone even want them?

Vince: There have been reports about several interested parties, but the summer should give us more of an idea about the future.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From MOWileyMOWiley: ]
Do you trust Joe D with a high draft pick in the 2010 draft based on his history?

Vince: Everybody wants to talk about Darko, but forget the good draft picks (Stuckey, Prince, Jerebko). I think Joe D. will be OK. You got to remember, the only real reach may have been Mateen Cleaves. Those other busts were with players that were highly regarded.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From GerardGerard: ]
Do you think the team will be better next year in terms of record? What are the odds they make the playoffs if the roster is mostly intact from this year?

Vince: Naw, I think this current group has started that downward spiral. To make the playoffs they need to add several good to solid players.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From Wannabe writerWannabe writer: ]
What's the worst part about coverin gthe team? the best part?

Vince: Worst part right now is trying to come up with fresh ideas that folks might want to read with the team so bad. The best part is writing about stuff that I know folks care about.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From worriedworried: ]
Can any of the rookies be the face of the franchise? seems like JJ is closest

Vince: I don't think so. Daye and Jonas are good building blocks, but they aren't face of the franchise type players.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From MichaelMichael: ]
How will pending sale of the team effect moves this off season?

Vince: The Pistons don't have that guy now.
4:26 Vince: I gather the fact the labor strife might have more to affect the team than the sale currently. That could change, though.

[nasty daddy]

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[Comment From Milo Milo : ]
Was John Hammond the man pulling the strings when he was Joe's right hand man.

Vince: I just showed up last season when Hammond had bounced so I don't know. I've heard that, but truly I don't know.