I was just doing some research, and June 25th was the date by which players had to accept their player option. There has been some debate about whether or not Tony Delk had a player option (different opinions from different websites).

Unless our local beat writers are asleep at the wheel (totally probable), it seems without doubt that Tony Buckets is now an unrestricted free agent.

Want him back?

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No because he won't have playing time even if he does good.

He was perfect for our run but came at the expense of delfino. flip just never used him. Right now, I think we need to look to developing our young guys. Acker, Amir, Carlos and Jason.

It's all about balance. We need a vet guard off the bench if Hunter does not come back. Delk could fill this role.

Depends if we can get a vet free agent G. Speedy Claxton could fill the void of Delk. Perhaps a few others too.

I hope your idea of Al Harrington and claxton comes true. Both will be hard to get though. Harrington likes the Pistons though.

Ask me after we have his replacement.

I didn't mind Delk, but at the same time, I think we can do better. The only question is will we?

Some numbers…

- Based on sprocket points Delk is a pretty productive player averaging nearly 5 points per minute played, putting him just below Rip in the team ranking. He is more productive per minute played than Tay, Hunter, Delfino, Evans, et al.

- Decent shooter during his regular season stint here, 0.441, which puts him above Sheed and CB. Third on the team in shooting from three, behind Rip and CB.

- Out rebounds Tay, Rip, CB, Hunter, and Arroyo per minute played.

- Hard to evaluate assists and turns since he played the two spot a lot of the time. Hunter has a much better assist to turnover ratio and nearly twice as many assists per minute played.


So, depends on what you want him for. I don’t think he is a natural point, but could perhaps back up Billups with a training camp behind him. That’s a risk. If he can’t back up Billups, then I don’t think he is the guy.

Backing up Rip, Delk is a more proven player than Delfino, at least as a scorer. I’m betting that both of them would shoot a lot better with consistent playing time. Delfino is bigger, a better defender, and a much better rebounder.

So, if he isn’t the primarily backup for either the one or two, unless you can get him at a bargain basement price and he is willing to basically not play, I’d say use the cash elsewhere. He is a hard nosed guy though.


Semi-unrelated but fun…

Looking at Delk’s numbers I computed a minutes played between shots – minutes played divided by field goals attempted. Kind of interesting. Sorry about the formatting.



Player Min between shots

davis,dale 7.46
wallace,ben 6.20
milicic,darko 4.25
cato,kelvin 3.98
johnson,amir 3.90
arroyo,carlos 3.80
hunter,lindsey 3.56
evans,maurice 3.34
delfino,carlos 3.23
mcdyess,antonio 3.10
maxiell,jason 2.91
prince,tayshaun 2.90
billups,chauncey 2.89
wallace,rasheed 2.60
delk,tony 2.37
acker,alex 2.19
hamilton,richard 2.14

So, Rip shot the ball more often than any other Piston. Of anyone who played any significant minutes, Tony Buckets was next. Say what you will, he ain't shy.

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Depends on whether

1) the Pistons can get a "big name"/up-and-coming backup point guard in free agency (i.e., Speedy Claxton or Marcus Banks)
2) Alex Acker is any good. I'd rather have Acker on the team than Delk; he seems a better dribbler, passer, and defender, and if he's a better shooter then it's not even close.

Delk is a decent rebounder for his size and can get hot every now and then, but as jammertime says, we can do better.

I want a guy who can give a totally different look from Chauncey when he comes of the bench. Tony and Chauncey are combo gaurds and I'd like to see a fast penetrator who is a "true" PG.