Expectations and acquisitions

He doesn't need the pressure or the ego of a starter yet. As long as he basically gets on the court in every game off the bench, I will be very happy.

They just need a plan for this guy. With Darko, we seemed to miss the ball on his skills development as well as his emotional growth.

Since he's a long term project (the way I see it), he needs to feel ownership in his growth.

I think Drummond will work his way into the starting lineup by Christmas. We need the size and shot blocking desparately.

I really do hope we sign Macklin. With those three we finally have some size up front. Frankly, I want to see the following rotation:

Knight-Stuckey-Prince-Monroe-Drummond

Bynum-Maggette-JJ-Macklin-CV

Rest in street clothes and/or used as needed.

No Kim? Give that dude Maggettes minutes.

To me, the next order of business is to trade Tayshaun Prince.

could not agree more. He has value to a contender and has wasted value with us.

I would love to trade away CV+Prince for expirings & draft picks. Something like sending them to Hornets for Rashard Lewis and a lottery protected first rounder. Granted it's a pipe dream, but after the Gordon trade, anything is possible.

If there is a trade involving CV weree going to be sending out 1st rounders.... only way we get him off the books is to use our one time get out of jail card.

I refused to comment before the draft. I was sure this thing would get screwed up somehow. I wanted one of three players in this draft- Davis, Robinson, or Drummond.

I'm simply stunned he was there at #9.

Stunned.

Physically, this kid is the most talented player in the history of this organization. He's the most explosive big man I've seen since Dwight Howard. The kid is a gazelle up and down the court. He'll end up being 7'0-7'1. LOVES to block shots. He'll be a double-double, 2+ block guy. He has the athleticism to switch on P&Rs to cover swingmen. If he even has half a heart... I'm just really happy right now.

His weight does bother be a little. He's had some issues there. Other than that... Drummond at #9? What a steal.

Heres a family photo of Drummond from when he was a kid:



...word!

Jerebko and Maxiel will get minutes.

I wonder if the rest of the team is going to be angry they wore headbands honoring Ben for the last game of the season?

Source says 'pretty good chance' Ben Wallace returns to Pistons | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com

there is your coach for Drummond

Just bring him back as a coach.............not a player...........please.

So Drum learns defense this year and maybe we bring in someone to teach him some footwork and post moves next year? Ben could actually really help the kid with his freethrow shooting.

I hope that the summer league becomes a wake up call for anyone that thinks that Drummond is anywhere near seeing starting time in an NBA game. He has a LONG way to go.

That being said, he J-Train is right - if he's developed properly, he has the physical tools (and, from what I can tell, the work ethic and attitude) to be the best player in the history of the franchise when all is said and done.

With Knight, Stuckey, Jerebko, Drummond, Monroe, and possibly (hopefully) Singler and English, the core of this team is set. They seem to mesh well, they're hard workers, and they have an immense level of natural ability. Every move from here on out needs to be made with developing this group and keeping it together.

It may not be the most talanted core in the L but that is for sure a core I would enjoy rooting for.

The way I see it, realistic long-term expectations, assuming everyone is developed properly, are as follows: (defenses for opinions in parentheses)
Knight: 18 ppg, 4 rpg, 9 apg (averaged 14.3 points/3.6 rebounds/4.2 assists per 36 minutes last year, should improve with having an actual offseason)
Stuckey: 18 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg (averaged 17.8/3.1/4.6 per 36 minutes last year)
Jerebko: 12 ppg, 8 rpg, 1 apg (averaged 13.6/7.6/1 per 36 minutes last year)
Monroe: 18 ppg, 10 rpg, 3 apg (averaged 17.6/11/2.5 per 36 minutes last year)
Drummond: 24 ppg, 12 rpg, 1 apg, 2 bpg (obviously not this year or next)

That's 90 ppg, 38 rpg, 19 apg from the starters. Throw in:
Singler: 6 ppg, 1 apg, 3 rpg
English: 6 ppg, 2 apg, 2 rpg

and you're at 102 points per game, 43 rebounds per game, and 22 assists per game, which would have been good for fourth, 9th, and 10th in the league last year (respectively), just from your top 7.

I'm not sure what part of these numbers are realistic. That's CP3 numbers for Knight and Drummond averaging 24PPG?

17 ppg, 4 rpg and 6 apg with a average PG TO rate is more of a best case scenario for Knight imo.

To be fair, I'm projecting high-end for Knight and Drummond. I think Drummond is realistically capable of Dwight Howard/Amare Stoudamire numbers, but again, that's if he reaches his potential, which is a long ways away.

I'm not calling these numbers for next year, btw; I think these numbers are the ceilings for these players.