| 30 Teams, 30 Days: Detroit Draft Preview (27th) Authored by Jason M. Williams - June 25, 2007 - 3:41 pm
| Current Featured Columns | | Final Thoughts On The 2008 NBA Draft This year's draft was decidedly more calm and casual than the Oden/Durant showdown, which made for a more candid and personal experience.
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$10 Million For Five Players?
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Raptorland’s New Carnivore
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Draft Picks: 15th, 27th, 57th
What they do well
The Detroit Pistons have a fearsome foursome who has delivered as the Eastern’s Elite ever since the acquisition of Rasheed Wallace in the 2003-04 season. Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Rasheed Wallace are as strong a starting foursome as any other in the league. Despite the departure of Ben Wallace to the Bulls, they still are in contention for the title of strongest starting five in the league, no matter who occupies the fifth spot.
Along with the experience, talent, toughness, and confidence of the Piston core, they also received solid seasons from Antonio McDyess, Chris Webber, and Jason Maxiell. With Maxiell developing into a solid rotation player and Amir Johnson gaining experience in the NBDL, the Detroit Pistons look to build upon their recent run of success by adding another talent to their already formidable squad.
Where do they need improvement?
With the expected selection of a dynamic point guard available at the 15th pick, the Pistons must take advantage of the opportunity to bolster their depth at small forward. Behind Tayshaun Prince, Detroit is anything but stocked. With Ronald Dupree as the only legit swingman on the roster outside of Tayshaun, they need a player who can hold the team together from the wing when their starters get in foul trouble.
Who should they target?
- Jared Dudley, SF – Boston College:
Dudley could be one of the top sleepers in this draft. While he doesn’t possess the greatest quickness or athleticism, he provides the team with leadership, heart, and intangibles that cannot be coached. His game is similar to that of Shane Battier, where he can come up big with a big bucket, and has adequate range on his three-point shot. He is able to draw fouls and absorb contact with his 6-7 frame. He defines the Piston motto of a guy “goin’ to work” on every possession, both offensively and defensively. It is almost a shame if he doesn’t end up in the red, white, and blue next season.
- Rayshawn Terry, SF – North Carolina:
Surrounded by a star-studded team, Rayshawn Terry was the glue that held the team together. He has elite speed and quickness and could offer the Pistons another incredible defender while also bringing an NBA-ready rebounding mentality. He is more of a dynamic player with slashing capabilities and has a game similar in intensity to Golden State’s Stephen Jackson. He would provide another nasty defender with loads of potential at the wing for the five-time defending Eastern Conference Finals combatants.
- Derrick Byars, SF – Vanderbilt:
There is a good chance that Byars could be long gone by this selection, but he offers a game similar to that of Jared Dudley, but with a lot more potential and incresed athleticism. He averaged 17 points per game this season and his 27 points and 5 rebounds helped Vandy advance to the Sweet 16 with their second round win over Washington State. He was a force for the Commodores as he helped lead the team to a last minute lead over Georgetown that would have propelled them into the Elite 8. Unfortunately, it was washed away by a miracle shot with 2.5 seconds remaining by Jeff Green.
Picks since 2000
The Pistons have been to the past five Eastern Conference Finals, thus, haven’t really had much opportunity to make a big splash in the top half of the Draft lately. Despite the foolish Darko-decision by Joe Dumars, he has done a great job finding talent late in the draft with picks including Maxiell at 26, Prince at 23 and All-Star Mehmet Okur in the second round. Watch out for second-rounder Amir Johnson as the high school phenom was dominant at times this year in the NBDL.
2006
Will Blalock, 60th
2005
Jason Maxiell, 26th
Amir Johnson, 56th
Alex Acker, 60th
2004
Ricky Paulding, 55th
2003
Darko Milicic, 2nd
Carlos Delfino, 25th
Andreas Gliniadakis, 58th
2002
Tayshaun Prince, 23rd
2001
Rodney White, 9th
Mehmet Okur, 38th
2000
Mateen Cleaves, 14th
Brian Cardinal, 44th
Who do you want the Pistons to draft at number 27? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments or questions. |
