Picking higher then they have in 12 years, we have the Detroit
Pistons with their net GM:
Eric Iverson
The Pistons use the third pick to select:
Grant Hill, SF, 6-8. Duke.
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TEAM NEEDS/HISTORY:
Fourteen years ago the Pistons had what was then their second-
worst series of all time (21-62) and found themselves with the
second pick in the draft, right behind the Dallas Mavericks.
Thanks to Isiah's refusal to wear a cowboy hat, the Mavs passed on
Zeke and picked Mark Aguirre. Thus began the Pistons greatest run,
culminating in 5 trips to the conference finals, 3 trips to the
NBA finals, and 2 championships. Fourteen years later, the Pistons
have once again had their second-worse season (20-62) and
once again they have a high pick in the draft (3rd), right behind
the Dallas Mavericks.
Needs: In a word, "size." Pistons need some big men.
Having picked 2 guards in last years draft, the Pistons are in
desperate need of frontcourt help. There is no way only one player
can turn the Pistons into winners. It will take a good pick in the
draft and a couple good free agents to start with. Don't be
surprised to see a trade in the real draft for a slightly lower
pick along with some future first-rounders. The Pistons are a very
young team that showed signs of gelling late in the season, but
that mini-run was quashed by injuries to Joe & Isiah, and the
desire to get this nightmare season over as soon as possible.
Center: This is simple--Pistons don't have one! Laimbeer was the
next best thing this season, and he retired after 11, count 'em--11
games. Bill was big enough to counter most big men in the league.
Before he left, Pistons looked to be a .500 team. After Bill's
departure, Pistons won no games against teams with dominating big
men. Olden Polynice may have looked like a center, but he played
no D. Prior to his trade, he sat out about 10 games, and the
Pistons played just as poorly, if not slightly better, without
him. Greg "Cadillac" Anderson picked a good time to start playing
better, going from 2.9 ppg and 2.9 rpg in the first 26 games to
6.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg by season's end. He can block a few and can
shoot a few in close with accuracy, but he's a decent backup F/C
at best.
Power Forward: If Terry Mills continues to improve as he has for
the past 3 years he will be a legitimate star, and no longer the
Pistons best underrated player. Terry deliberately took on some of
the "enforcer" role left vacant by Bill Laimbeer, and became one
of the league leaders in personal fouls in the process. Terry can
post up or shoot a nice jumper with 3-pt range. Many teams have
found they must double-team him inside. David Wood is a scrapper,
and I hope He'll be back next season.
Small Forward: Sean Elliott needs to play with a big man. He
claimed Laimbeer was the only one on the Pistons who knew when to
get him the ball--in transition. His game went from tenuous to
crappy after Bill's retirement, with enough improvement in the
last 2 months of the season to justify bringing him back, but at
what cost? If the Pistons end up with a big man, and I mean David
Robinson sized, then they should re sign Sean, otherwise they
should use his salary to sign a talented and more physical
forward.
Shooting Guard: at last a position where the Pistons are solid.
Joe Dumars turns 31 today (Happy Birthday, Joe!) and showed only
the slightest signs of slowing down due to age and injuries. He
will be on the of best SGs in the game and a major contributor for
another 2 years. Rookie Allan Houston didn't get a lot of time as
backup SG/F but he did show improvement in the way of limiting his
sloppy rookie mistakes and some strong moves to the basket. He'll
pay great dividends down the road.
Point Guard: Isiah Thomas. He was a winner. A man who could push
his teammates to to be their best. But with diminished skills, the
best legacy he can leave for his successor might be a truckload of
game tapes from his first 10 years. He will be missed. Rookie Lindsey
Hunter has all the quicks and moves that Isiah ever had, but to
expect him to be another Isiah is unfair to him and unrealistic.
Hunter was the only Piston to play all 82 games, and he shined
when he started--something that happened much more often than
expected due mostly to Isiah missing 24 games. If Hunter can
improve his FG% and think a little less like a shooting guard, the
Pistons could have the next Kenny Anderson on their hands.
My Selection: From Duke, 6'8" G/F Grant Hill. He have some of the
requisite size the Pistons need, but most of all he has talent and
he is a winner.
Others considered: Juwan Howard, F, Michigan, and Donyell
Marshall, F, Conn. As good as Howard is, the talent level drops
too low after Hill.
Who the team will probably take: Grant Hill, unless Dallas takes
him (a possibility I'd rather not discuss).
Other Moves: Trade Hill for Howard and some future picks. The hometown
crowd would like that. As much as I'd love a talent like Elliott to help
the bench, he's some of the best trade bait the Pistons have, and he
won't be needed with Hill around. Pistons management are talking
about trading up, but I don't believe it. Pistons will have the
money to sign a few good free agents. Of the players not mentioned
above, Jones, Chilcutt, Liberty, and Macon, only Guard Mark Macon
is likely to return.
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