09-17-2007, 07:51 PM
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 NBA Coaches/Scouts - Hot Rod Will Become One Of The Top 5 From 2007 Draft
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Rodney Stuckey – The buzz about the kid continues unabated. As members of Dumars’ front office staff have made their rounds this summer, peers in other NBA front offices keep telling them how many other teams are already kicking themselves for passing on Stuckey.
The consensus about last June’s draft was that it was both one of the deepest and most star-laden in a generation, and nothing about the summer has changed that perception.
But Dumars and personnel director George David have both been told more than once that if the draft were to be held again, Stuckey would go much higher – and many have said he’ll become one of the five best players in this draft.
| Afflalo:
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Arron Afflalo – He might have to fight for minutes this season, but Dumars is thrilled to have him. He told me last week that every championship team needs to have someone like Afflalo, a player who’ll sacrifice anything – from his stats to his body – in pursuit of wins and championships.
David told me his hope is that Afflalo will develop into a Bruce Bowen-type defender with a more rounded offensive game and believes it’s within his reach. He didn’t shoot for a high percentage in the Las Vegas Summer League, but in summer workouts he’s been shooting it like he did at UCLA. For this season, Afflalo probably won’t be called upon to score much, but down the road he could develop into a terrific two-way player.
Dumars also said both Stuckey and Afflalo are absolute gym rats. They put in their two hours during workouts and then put in two more on their own.
| Hayes:
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Jarvis Hayes – It caused very little stir around the NBA, but Dumars thinks the Hayes signing solidified his summer. It was a high-reward, no-risk signing for the Pistons, who get a guy who was the 10th pick in the draft four years ago, had a very promising rookie season and then spent two years fighting a knee injury.
He came back last year but was still sort of feeling his way. And he had to do it under tough circumstances on a Washington team that already had established perimeter scoring threats in Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison. This year he figures to hit the ground running at a perfect point in his career – and with something to prove in a contract year.
| AJ:
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Amir Johnson – Dumars disputes an ESPN The Magazine story that says he was approached by 12 teams interested in sign-and-trade agreements for his prized third-year forward. But he did say that Johnson’s agent, Bill Duffy, was swamped by teams wondering what it would take to pry him loose.
Houston and San Antonio, in particular, made hard plays for Johnson, who eventually signed a three-year contract that will put him back on the market as a 23-year-old, five-year veteran.
It’s possible that Johnson will become the first player to whom Dumars offers a maximum contract, but the Pistons should be well-positioned that summer to do whatever it takes to keep Johnson in Detroit.
Johnson’s play this summer – a one-game stint in the Las Vegas Summer League after signing his contract, then his showing at Tim Grgurich’s weeklong camp in Vegas for NBA players – has NBA insiders convinced he’s close to being an impact player. | PISTONS: On Track   |
