Las Vegas Summer League

[Deleterious]

The schedule was released today. I am sure we will see a roster come together a little bit after the draft.

Pistons summer league schedule | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Games at Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas

Friday, July 10

Detroit vs. Sacramento, 3:00

Saturday, July 11

Detroit vs. Toronto, 1:00

Monday, July 13

Detroit vs. Golden State, 7:00

Wednesday, July 15

Detroit vs. New York, 1:00

Friday, July 17

Detroit vs. Cleveland, 1:00

[Deleterious]

Decision expected today on Kwame Brown's status | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Summer League Roster

• The Pistons summer-league roster is nearly set with the drafting of forwards Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko. Point guard Will Bynum and Walter Sharpe are expected to play, as well as second-round picks from 2008, guard Deron Washington and big man Trent Plaisted. Rounding out the roster are free agents Dwyane Jones, a center, point guard Ibrahim Jabeer and shooting guard Clay Tucker.

[vannzee]

Clay Tucker? Wasnt he from Wisconsin?

[Deleterious]

Jonas Jerebko shines in scrimmage | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Jonas Jerebko shines in scrimmage
Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Las Vegas -- For the Pistons, the Las Vegas summer league officially opens at 6 p.m. today, when they play the Sacramento Kings.

But for rookie forward Jonas Jerebko, it finally began at exactly 2:10 p.m. Thursday. That's when the Pistons received clearance from FIBA. The two previous days, he had to sit and watch as the team practiced.

"That was hard," he said. "I'd been waiting and waiting."

He made up for lost time. He was easily the most impressive player on the floor during the team's 30-minute scrimmage.

Dimitris Itoudis is an assistant coach for the perennially successful Greek team Panathinaikos, who is helping Pistons coaches Pat Sullivan and Darrell Walker this summer. He was asked which player he would most like to take back to Athens with him and he said, without hesitation, "Jerebko."

It was a strong first impression for Jerebko.

"I was a little behind, but I've been watching practice to get ready for when this finally happened," he said. "It's just easy basketball stuff."

He's athletic, as advertised, and longer than expected at 6-10. But he plays with a toughness and a fearlessness that will surprise people.

"A lot of European players are characterized as finesse players," said Doug Neustadt, Jerebko's agent. "Jonas plays with a chip on his shoulder."

In one of his first plays during the scrimmage, he lost his defender with a pump fake, drove the baseline and crashed into two bigger players: Trent Plaisted and DaJuan Summers. He not only initiated the contact, but he finished with a lay-in.

"There is more space here (in the lane), so I feel more comfortable taking the ball to the basket," he said. "In Europe, it seems like there's 18 people in the paint waiting for you. Here it's more open and easier to get a shot off."

That won't necessarily be the case when Jerebko faces true NBA size and talent, but you get a sense he won't shy away.

"He has a good feel for the game," Sullivan said. "He's a guy that can take you off the dribble and can spread the floor, and he's 6-10. That's the kind of player you have to have these days."

Jerebko played small forward in Italy the last two years, and that is his preferred spot. But he will be used at both forward spots for the Pistons.

"I don't really know about the NBA, but I had teammates who played here and they've said it will be easier to adapt my game to the American game than it was to adapt to the European game," Jerebko said. "We'll just see what the coach wants."

The summer roster also features first-round pick Austin Daye, 2008 second-rounder Deron Washington and 2009 second-round pick Summers. All four rookies are expected to be on the Pistons roster next season, making makes this an important couple of weeks for them and new coach John Kuester, who is expected to arrive after the weekend.

Will Bynum and Walter Sharpe, two players from last season, were expected to be on the roster but have not yet arrived. Bynum is attending a personal matter and Sharpe has an undisclosed injury.
Around the rim

There's a good chance the Pistons are looking to clear another $2 million off their payroll. That would give them close to $4 million to pursue another frontcourt player in the wake of Antonio McDyess going to the San Antonio Spurs. Brandon Bass (Dallas Mavericks) and Glen Davis (Boston Celtics) are two possibilities.

To clear the space, the Pistons most likely will try to move Arron Afflalo and Sharpe.

... Pistons guard Richard Hamilton is getting married this weekend.

chris.mccosky@detnews.com (313) 222-1489

[Elevate]

Good news on Jerebko. I'm excited about him and Summers. I think both of those guys can play.

On a side note, I don't really want Afflalo to be traded. Save that little bit of cap room for a TRADE. Not another free agent signing.

[Betrayer]

Originally Posted by Elevate

On a side note, I don't really want Afflalo to be traded. Save that little bit of cap room for a TRADE. Not another free agent signing.

The worst part about Afflalo being traded? It means they've pretty much given up on trying to trade Rip and don't need that backup SG.

[sportz4life]

McCoskey is an idiot they already have 3.3MM available. In fact I have seen 3 different calculations proving this number.

[jonjd]

I know Sharpe might miss some action with an undisclosed injury, but I see him being a real sleeper this summer.

[Deleterious]

Originally Posted by Betrayer

The worst part about Afflalo being traded? It means they've pretty much given up on trying to trade Rip and don't need that backup SG.

They will just do a 3 man rotation with Stuckey at the point with BG and Bynum at the point with Stuckey.

[dalemotown]

IMO, not trading Rip will be a disaster.

I do not want to see Rip and Ben Gordon trying to co-exist. I can see Gordon saying "hey - I'm willing to do whatever" - and MEAN IT.

...But NOT Rip...

(Joe is really starting to get on my nerves)

[DrWho17]

Originally Posted by jonjd

I know Sharpe might miss some action with an undisclosed injury, but I see him being a real sleeper this summer.

I think the recent draft, has made it clear that Walter Sharpe isn't really in the Pistons future plans, plus they signed Deron Washington from last year.

[DrWho17]

Originally Posted by dalemotown

IMO, not trading Rip will be a disaster.

I do not want to see Rip and Ben Gordon trying to co-exist. I can see Gordon saying "hey - I'm willing to do whatever" - and MEAN IT.

...But NOT Rip...

(Joe is really starting to get on my nerves)

Sure, plus they signed Deron Washington, he's a 2/3 supposed to be a good defender, certainly more athletic then Afflalo.

[DaBishop]

Originally Posted by jonjd

I know Sharpe might miss some action with an undisclosed injury, but I see him being a real sleeper this summer.

I really hope the pun in this was intended...awesome

What a wasted draft pick. Then again, Buddhafan is still pretty sure Sharpe is going to take Prince's spot by mid season.

[Mschottey1985]

I personally hope Trent Plaisted does something for us this year. He was hurt in Europe but we could use 5 minutes of the bench in the front court from someone with size.

[Buddha]

Originally Posted by DaBishop

I really hope the pun in this was intended...awesome

What a wasted draft pick. Then again, Buddhafan is still pretty sure Sharpe is going to take Prince's spot by mid season.

Poor buddahfan. Between Walter Sharpe, Amir Johnson and Barack Obama, it's been a long year for him.

[sportz4life]

Summers killing it.

[Deleterious]

Pistons win game #1, 86-77.

Pistons (0-0)
  	                             Field Goals 	             Rebounds 	 
  	                pos 	min 	fgm-a 	3pm-a 	ftm-a 	off 	def 	tot 	ast 	pf 	st 	to 	bs 	pts
A.Daye 	               F 	19:18 	3-9 	1-3 	1-1 	0 	2 	2 	2 	1 	2 	0 	0 	8
D.Summers              F 	32:36 	9-15 	1-1 	5-7 	0 	7 	7 	1 	5 	2 	1 	1 	24
T.Plaisted 	       C 	19:46 	2-4 	0-0 	1-1 	2 	1 	3 	1 	5 	0 	1 	0 	5
D.Washington 	       G 	24:16 	2-9 	1-3 	0-2 	3 	1 	4 	0 	3 	1 	3 	0 	5
S.Singletary 	       G 	18:43 	1-2 	1-1 	3-4 	2 	0 	2 	3 	4 	1 	2 	0 	6
M. Bramos 		        15:24 	5-6 	1-1 	2-3 	0 	0 	0 	1 	1 	0 	0 	1 	13
M.Gray 		                16:36 	2-6 	0-0 	3-3 	1 	0 	1 	0 	6 	0 	2 	0 	7
D.Jones 		        03:38 	1-1 	0-0 	0-0 	1 	1 	2 	1 	3 	0 	0 	0 	2
J.Jerebko 		        12:46 	1-6 	0-1 	0-0 	0 	3 	3 	1 	5 	3 	2 	1 	2
A.Owens 		        21:17 	0-3 	0-0 	3-4 	3 	1 	4 	4 	1 	1 	0 	0 	3
C.Tucker 		        15:40 	5-7 	1-2 	0-0 	0 	0 	0 	2 	1 	1 	0 	0 	11
W.Bynum 			- 	- 	- 									
I.Jaaber 			- 	- 	- 									
W.Sharpe 			- 	- 	- 									
T.Walton 			- 	- 	- 									
Total 	  	               200 	31-68 	6-12 	18-25 	12 	16 	28 	16 	35 	11 	11 	3 	86
  	                               45.6% 	50.0% 	72.0% 	Team Rebs: 7 	Total TO: 12
Kings (0-0)

[Scottwood]

Originally Posted by Deleterious

Pistons win game #1, 86-77.

Pistons (0-0)
  	                             Field Goals 	             Rebounds 	 
  	                pos 	min 	fgm-a 	3pm-a 	ftm-a 	off 	def 	tot 	ast 	pf 	st 	to 	bs 	pts
A.Daye 	               F 	19:18 	3-9 	1-3 	1-1 	0 	2 	2 	2 	1 	2 	0 	0 	8
D.Summers              F 	32:36 	9-15 	1-1 	5-7 	0 	7 	7 	1 	5 	2 	1 	1 	24
T.Plaisted 	       C 	19:46 	2-4 	0-0 	1-1 	2 	1 	3 	1 	5 	0 	1 	0 	5
D.Washington 	       G 	24:16 	2-9 	1-3 	0-2 	3 	1 	4 	0 	3 	1 	3 	0 	5
S.Singletary 	       G 	18:43 	1-2 	1-1 	3-4 	2 	0 	2 	3 	4 	1 	2 	0 	6
M. Bramos 		        15:24 	5-6 	1-1 	2-3 	0 	0 	0 	1 	1 	0 	0 	1 	13
M.Gray 		                16:36 	2-6 	0-0 	3-3 	1 	0 	1 	0 	6 	0 	2 	0 	7
D.Jones 		        03:38 	1-1 	0-0 	0-0 	1 	1 	2 	1 	3 	0 	0 	0 	2
J.Jerebko 		        12:46 	1-6 	0-1 	0-0 	0 	3 	3 	1 	5 	3 	2 	1 	2
A.Owens 		        21:17 	0-3 	0-0 	3-4 	3 	1 	4 	4 	1 	1 	0 	0 	3
C.Tucker 		        15:40 	5-7 	1-2 	0-0 	0 	0 	0 	2 	1 	1 	0 	0 	11
W.Bynum 			- 	- 	- 									
I.Jaaber 			- 	- 	- 									
W.Sharpe 			- 	- 	- 									
T.Walton 			- 	- 	- 									
Total 	  	               200 	31-68 	6-12 	18-25 	12 	16 	28 	16 	35 	11 	11 	3 	86
  	                               45.6% 	50.0% 	72.0% 	Team Rebs: 7 	Total TO: 12
Kings (0-0)

Good showing for Summers. I've never seen the Swede play but of Daye or Summers, it is the latter who I am expecting more contribution from this year.

[Deleterious]

Las Vegas Summer League

Summers Making Pistons Look Good

LAS VEGAS -- After watching DaJuan Summers, who curiously fell to 35th in last month's NBA Draft, score 24 points with seven rebounds in 33 minutes in a Summer League win over Sacramento, assistant coach Darrell Walker made a declaration.

"Summers is a player and I don't know how he goes 35 in the draft," Walker said after Detroit's 86-77 win Friday at Cox Pavilion. "Things happen in the NBA Draft. I ain't crazy, I understand that but he's a legitimate NBA player. And I think he's going to get some legitimate minutes."

Summers was by far the best player on the court. He played on the perimeter and in the paint. He distributed the ball. He committed one turnover and stuck his hand to deflect passes. Georgetown players generally make solid NBA players because of their all-around skills and Summers resembles Oklahoma City forward Jeff Green.

Summers opted to leave Georgetown and slid to the second round like a couple of other notable early entries. The Pistons, who have fared well with late-first round and second-round picks in recent years -- Tayshaun Prince, Jason Maxiell, Carlos Delfino, Mehmet Okur -- may have another future standout

"To me it's a luxury to have a guy who can play both positions," Walker said. "Some nights he's going to be able to play the [power forward] and he's definitely a [small forward], no doubt about that . And what he brings is another big who can shoot the basketball."

Walker continued with his adulation.

"I am going to say this one more time: I never seen him play in college. I never saw his workouts. He's NBA ready. I'm sure he's going to going to have some knocks and ups and downs, but he's NBA ready. He's a player."

Summer Grades
A daily graphic that charts how some of the rookies are performing, broken down by school grades

A: DeJuan Summers (Pistons): The 35th pick out of Georgetown dunked his way to 24 points against Sacramento. Summers (6-foot-8, 240) added seven rebounds in 32 1/2 minutes, as Detroit won 86-77.

[Deleterious]

NBA.com 2009 NBA Summer League Team Page

That is a link to the Pistons summer league roster. It also has a schedule and the teams summer league stats.

[Scottwood]

Originally Posted by Deleterious

NBA.com 2009 NBA Summer League Team Page

That is a link to the Pistons summer league roster. It also has a schedule and the teams summer league stats.

Good find. I wish the games didn't cost money this year. Deron Washington was rumored to have signed a contract so I want to especially keep an eye on him. If Afflalo is traded, then I have to think that it is a given that Washington is on the team.

[DaBishop]

i'm keeping an eye DeJuan Blair...we really should have picked him up with one of our 2nd round picks.

[jonjd]

Originally Posted by Scottwood

Good find. I wish the games didn't cost money this year. Deron Washington was rumored to have signed a contract so I want to especially keep an eye on him. If Afflalo is traded, then I have to think that it is a given that Washington is on the team.

ATDHE.Net - Watch Free Live Sports TV

This site, as usual, seems to have free coverage of the Summer League. Check it out.

[84 Lives!!!]

Interesting Note on Jerebko (by McCoskey, through Detroit Bad Boys):

Link: Jonas Jerebko has a roster spot | Detroit Bad Boys

Jonas Jerebko has a roster spot
Published by Matt Watson on July 11, 2009 in 2009 Draft.
Tags: Jonas Jerebko.

Joe Dumars already indicated that he expects all three of this year’s draft picks to make the roster so the news that Jerebko will likely still be around come November isn’t exactly ground-breaking. Even so, the backstory is interesting — Jerebko had a promise from the Bobcats that he’d have a roster spot if he was still available when they picked 40, but Jerebko was nervous another team would draft him earlier as a long-term investment. From Chris McCosky:

Still, on draft night three teams who were picking before Charlotte at No. 40 called Jerebko’s agent Doug Neustadt, and said they were taking him. Neustadt successfully talked all three into changing their pick, since they were looking to stash him overseas.

Pick 39 belonged to the Pistons. They, too, called Neustadt and said they were taking Jerebko. Again, Neustadt told them about Charlotte, and how they assured him a roster spot. Joe Dumars, though, told him that he wasn’t worried about Charlotte. The Pistons also wanted to keep Jerebko on their roster; that they had no intention of sending him back to Europe.

“Of course, if you have a deal with the team at 40, you don’t want to go at 39,” Jerebko said. “But it was Detroit and I liked Detroit. I knew it was going to be a good situation.”

[Scottwood]

Originally Posted by jonjd

ATDHE.Net - Watch Free Live Sports TV

This site, as usual, seems to have free coverage of the Summer League. Check it out.

Thanks for this.

[Truth]

Originally Posted by dalemotown

IMO, not trading Rip will be a disaster.

I do not want to see Rip and Ben Gordon trying to co-exist. I can see Gordon saying "hey - I'm willing to do whatever" - and MEAN IT.

...But NOT Rip...

(Joe is really starting to get on my nerves)

Then you don't know Gordon's past. I'm not saying he won't do whatever it takes now but in the past he's been accused of being selfish, bringing his contract troubles to the court and being enough of a malcontent that he would find his way to the end of the bench. How does he earn all of this integrity in your eyes now?

[Deleterious]

HOOPSWORLD

Vegas: Summers Came to Play

The 2009 Las Vegas Summer League kicked off yesterday with a 55-game schedule ending July 19th. In the second game Friday, fans were treated to a terrific showing by rookie DaJuan Summers who led the Detroit Pistons to a convincing win over the Sacramento Kings 86-77.

Former Georgetown forward Summers played 32 minutes, scoring 24 points an 9-of-15 shooting with seven defensive rebounds, and going five-for-seven at the free throw line. He also had one assist, two steals, and one block.

Detroit stole him in the second round with the 35th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. Many were surprised he slipped so far down as he definitely has an NBA-ready body and sufficient skills to warrant landing in the first-round.

HOOPSWORLD spent some time with Summers after the game where he touched on a variety of subjects. Not only did we wonder how he lasted to No. 35, but Pistons Assistant Coach Darrell Walker, having never seen him play in college or in workouts, was also mystified. Summers wondered as well. "The draft, it's just one night. I think you got to look at your career in the NBA more so than just the draft night. It was unfortunate for me from a goal standpoint to go in the second-round but I got someplace I wanted to be at so I'm still happy."

At Georgetown last season, Summers averaged 13.6 points per game and 4.1 rebounds, mostly playing power forward. He's known as an athletic, explosive player exhibiting solid basketball fundamentals. Although his size is more suited for a typical NBA small forward, there's been a lot of talk whether he's a three or four player. Summers has no preference.

"I feel like I'm just a ballplayer, between a three or a four," he said. "You gotta put the ball in the basket, you gotta stop your man, so it doesn't matter what position they put me in."

Summers believes that he has an advantage against bigger guys when he's playing the four. "Most big guys can't check me even off the short-block. A little jab series and the drive, just opening the game up and being able to be versatile, I think that will help a lot."

Now that Summers isn't limited by the Princeton offense used at Georgetown, he should be able to showcase his full skill set. In this first LVSL game, he seemed to shake the system mode at Georgetown and rely on instincts. "It's just natural for me, when you miss a play, to get back in the flow of things. It's easiest for pick-and-roll, it's simple, the game is just simplified. The game has always been simple, you just got to make the right read."

During this summer league, Summers is trying to heed the coaching staff's advice. "They just told us to do what got us here. Clearly everybody out here is talented, so they just said go out and be comfortable and play our game, so that's what I did."

He was not particularly pleased about all his fouling (five) and lack of offensive rebounds in this game. "I'm a scorer. I think there's no doubt about that. Rebounding and defense are what's on my mind."

But he did stand out in his first NBA outing. It seemed as though the Kings just couldn't match up with Summers. Why did he think he had such a great night?

"I think just taking my opportunities. From college to this, it's just so much different, the game is more open, more looks, you can show your talent more so it's just an open game."

It looks like the Pistons are hoping that Summers, along with no. 15 draft pick Austin Daye from Gonzaga, can develop into the new frontcourt face now that Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess are gone. However there are three rookie forwards (including draftee Jonas Jerebko) that can play both spots. How will the pecking order be established?

"It's tough to say because I could have easily come out here and had a bad game and it would have been the other way around," Summers replied. "So you just gotta play basketball, you gotta stay level-headed. I know from last season, that's the biggest thing I learned from my college career, you gotta stay level-headed. We had a lot of good games and a lot of bad games, so just staying even-keeled, I think is the biggest thing."

He admits that he plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder from as far back as high school, which may rear its head when playing against passing teams. "I keep using it as an adversity, keep building off of it. I don't dwell on it, but I do think about it."

DaJuan Summers has his sights on being a rotation player with Detroit next season. "I want to do whatever I can do to help the team. If doing those things gets me some playing time, that would be great."

He's off to a good start.

[84 Lives!!!]

If those 3 guys can get into the rotation... it puts a higher value on moving Maxiell than on moving Afflalo. Not to mention, a higher cap relief amount... Which probably makes Maxiell the harder guy to trade of course... but, just my 2 cents.

[Deleterious]

Piston Deron Washington improves by leaps, bounds | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Piston Deron Washington improves by leaps, bounds
2008 2nd-round pick shows athleticism in Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- It took a little time, but Deron Washington finally got a chance to display the athleticism that has made him a YouTube star and could lead to a spot on the Pistons' opening-night roster in the fall.
Advertisement

Midway through the third quarter of the first game of the summer league Friday against Sacramento, point guard Andre Owens took a shot that was slightly off.

Washington, a 6-foot-7 swingman, flew over the other earthbound players to flush the dunk and draw gasps from the crowd at the Cox Pavilion on the campus at Nevada-Las Vegas.

While Washington managed only five points on 2-for-9 shooting in 24 minutes, the Pistons were impressed by their 2008 second-round draft pick during practices last week.

The athleticism has always been there, and Washington was an NBA-ready defender last summer. But on offense, he showed that his season in Israel helped and he is making the leap from being a great athlete to a good basketball player.

"Looking at him early in the practices, you can see where he's benefitted," director of personnel George David said. "He's a lot more polished in some areas, and his confidence has really grown a lot.

"His decision-making has become better. I think he doesn't force as many things as before he went over there. He takes his time a little bit more. He doesn't rush things and doesn't force himself into bad situations. I think that's where he benefitted the most."

After last summer's Vegas league, the Pistons suggested Washington spend a year overseas.

"I look at it as a stepping-stone," Washington said. "I looked at it that I just got to come in and work my behind off and maybe I will get a chance.

[Deleterious]

Austin Daye impresses Pistons in 40-minute outing | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Austin Daye impresses Pistons in 40-minute outing
Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Las Vegas -- Darrell Walker, Pistons Summer League coach, wanted to put rookie Austin Daye into some situations that he might not have experienced much while at Gonzaga.

He wanted to put Daye in pick-and-roll situations where Daye was the ball-handler and decision-maker. He wanted Daye to initiate the offense some, similar to the way Tayshaun Prince occasionally does from the small forward position. He wanted to test Daye's defense, matching him up with Raptors first-round draft pick DeMar DeRozen.

Mostly, he wanted to test the slender rookie's endurance.

By all measures, Daye passed. He and fellow rookie DaJuan Summers each scored 19 points in the Pistons' 91-87 victory over Toronto, raising their record to 2-0 in the Vegas Summer League.

Daye hit 8 of 14 shots, two of his four 3-point tries, and had eight rebounds and two assists. And get this: He played all 40 minutes.

"It was different," said Daye, who played just 19 minutes Friday. "I think they wanted to see how I can handle playing longer stretches, and I wound up playing the whole game. I was kind of surprised that I was in that good of shape."

He set the tone immediately. Running the pick-and-roll on the first possession, he made a nice pass to center Trent Plaisted for a layup. Then he lost DeRozen with a show-and-go move and scored a layup. Two possessions later, he made a 3-pointer and followed that up with a pretty pass through traffic to a streaking Summers.

"He was a bright spot," Walker said. "We wanted to see what he has, just leave him out there. Sometimes it's hard to get in the flow when you play 17, 18 minutes. He handled it well. He's got a chance to be a nice basketball player. All he needs is to get stronger and that will come with age and Arnie (Kander, Pistons strength and conditioning coach)."

As for Daye's defense, DeRozen produced 20 points, but Daye kept him in front of him most of the game. DeRozen had to take 20 shots (making nine) to get his 20 points.

"This was a good start for (Daye)," Walker said. "But this is summer league. Let's not get carried away. When we get to training camp in October, he will have to play against more physical players in exhibition season. Then we will judge him again. But I like everything about him."

Jerebko at center?

Rookie Jonas Jerebko has played small forward the past three seasons overseas. Thus far in summer league he's been getting his minutes at center.

"I just want to get him some minutes," Walker said. "He's a four-five (power forward-center) more than a three-four (small forward-power forward) as far as I'm concerned. I just want to put him out there and he's played well.

"He can run and obviously he can finish. He reminds me of (New York Knicks forward) David Lee a little bit."

Jerebko is 6-foot-10 and he does like to fight inside. Playing against 7-foot Patrick O'Bryant Saturday, he had 12 points, seven rebounds and eight fouls (10 is the limit in summer league). More impressively, O'Bryant was relatively quiet (10 points, 3 for 9, 10 rebounds, six fouls and five turnovers.

"I've never done it before (play center), so it's a new experience," Jerebko said. "It's physical but I like it. I don't like to play the five, but to get minutes, I will do it."

Backing it up

Summers has now scored 43 points and made 16 of 32 shots in two games.

With the Pistons clinging to a three-point lead in the final three minutes Saturday, Summers hit a clutch jumper and two free throws to secure the victory.

"He's just a basketball player," Walker said. "He's been coached real well, I can tell you that. He's got a skill level that for a lot of guys it takes two or three years to get to at this level."
Washington hot and cold

Deron Washington, the fourth rookie expected to make the Pistons roster in the fall, had another up-and-down day. He made two spectacular putback dunks and grinded out 13 points, despite missing 7 of 11 shots. Worse, he missed 8 of 12 free throws.

Auditions

The Pistons are auditioning players for a third point guard spot. Two players with NBA experience, Sean Singletary and Andre Owens, are splitting most of the minutes thus far.

Owens has 13 assists and just one turnover in two games, though he's not shot much. Singletary, who has been starting, has 13 points, seven assists and four turnovers. Jeremy Pargo, rookie from Gonzaga, was a late addition to the roster and hasn't played yet.

chris.mccosky@detnews.com (313) 222-1489

[djhutch]

"There is more space here (in the lane), so I feel more comfortable taking the ball to the basket," he said. "In Europe, it seems like there's 18 people in the paint waiting for you. Here it's more open and easier to get a shot off."

Interesting thought from Jerebko. I would have thought there'd be more space in international play because of the wider lanes, but I guess it makes sense that wider lanes means more people in there too.


Any one know why Bynum didn't get any playing time, other than they kinda already know what they have in him?

Originally Posted by Deleterious

Pistons win game #1, 86-77.

Pistons (0-0)
  	                             Field Goals 	             Rebounds 	 
  	                pos 	min 	fgm-a 	3pm-a 	ftm-a 	off 	def 	tot 	ast 	pf 	st 	to 	bs 	pts
A.Daye 	               F 	19:18 	3-9 	1-3 	1-1 	0 	2 	2 	2 	1 	2 	0 	0 	8
D.Summers              F 	32:36 	9-15 	1-1 	5-7 	0 	7 	7 	1 	5 	2 	1 	1 	24
T.Plaisted 	       C 	19:46 	2-4 	0-0 	1-1 	2 	1 	3 	1 	5 	0 	1 	0 	5
D.Washington 	       G 	24:16 	2-9 	1-3 	0-2 	3 	1 	4 	0 	3 	1 	3 	0 	5
S.Singletary 	       G 	18:43 	1-2 	1-1 	3-4 	2 	0 	2 	3 	4 	1 	2 	0 	6
M. Bramos 		        15:24 	5-6 	1-1 	2-3 	0 	0 	0 	1 	1 	0 	0 	1 	13
M.Gray 		                16:36 	2-6 	0-0 	3-3 	1 	0 	1 	0 	6 	0 	2 	0 	7
D.Jones 		        03:38 	1-1 	0-0 	0-0 	1 	1 	2 	1 	3 	0 	0 	0 	2
J.Jerebko 		        12:46 	1-6 	0-1 	0-0 	0 	3 	3 	1 	5 	3 	2 	1 	2
A.Owens 		        21:17 	0-3 	0-0 	3-4 	3 	1 	4 	4 	1 	1 	0 	0 	3
C.Tucker 		        15:40 	5-7 	1-2 	0-0 	0 	0 	0 	2 	1 	1 	0 	0 	11
W.Bynum 			- 	- 	- 									
I.Jaaber 			- 	- 	- 									
W.Sharpe 			- 	- 	- 									
T.Walton 			- 	- 	- 									
Total 	  	               200 	31-68 	6-12 	18-25 	12 	16 	28 	16 	35 	11 	11 	3 	86
  	                               45.6% 	50.0% 	72.0% 	Team Rebs: 7 	Total TO: 12
Kings (0-0)

[Deleterious]

Originally Posted by djhutch

Any one know why Bynum didn't get any playing time, other than they kinda already know what they have in him?

They wanted to at least give other players hope of taking a shot...

Being serious now, I think he is dinged up a little bit.

[djhutch]

Originally Posted by Deleterious

They wanted to at least give other players hope of taking a shot...

Being serious now, I think he is dinged up a little bit.

I guess I didn't realize that Mr. B had that reputation.

[Hongbit]

Austin Daye impresses Pistons in 40-minute outing
Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

I watched about 20 minutes of the 1st half and Daye was easily the best player on the floor. Blocking shots, nailing 3's, threading nice passes, and dunking in offensive rebounds. I was certainly impressed.

[NotoriousCPC]

I believe one story said that Bynum is skipping the Summer League due to family issues.

[Corky]

Originally Posted by Hongbit

I watched about 20 minutes of the 1st half and Daye was easily the best player on the floor. Blocking shots, nailing 3's, threading nice passes, and dunking in offensive rebounds. I was certainly impressed.

I saw every one of his college games and saw quite a bit of that. He has remarkable reflexes and instinct (it seems) in blocking shots and just has the look of smoothness to everything he does. A fun player to watch.

[DrWho17]

Originally Posted by Hongbit

I watched about 20 minutes of the 1st half and Daye was easily the best player on the floor. Blocking shots, nailing 3's, threading nice passes, and dunking in offensive rebounds. I was certainly impressed.

Yes, all 3 of these draft picks are future allstars . . . in the summer league. I'm just hoping they get some playing time this year, and they don't just rack up DNP's all year long.

I'm thinking the Pistons will probably be the youngest team in the league next year.

Edit: well it will be close, Sacramentio/Memphis/OKC/GS/Portland will carry a similar average age, depending on who they sign to fill out their rosters. Get rid of old man Hamilton, anybody over 30 must go for renewal.

[Buddha]

Originally Posted by DrWho17

Yes, all 3 of these draft picks are future allstars . . . in the summer league. I'm just hoping they get some playing time this year, and they don't just rack up DNP's all year long.

I'm pretty sure that's not what he said or meant.

The summer league is not a big deal, however, I'd much rather have my number one pick playing excellent basketball and being the best player on the floor than being a nobody.

I think Daye's play is encouraging.

[Corky]

Originally Posted by Buddha

I'm pretty sure that's not what he said or meant.

The summer league is not a big deal, however, I'd much rather have my number one pick playing excellent basketball and being the best player on the floor than being a nobody.

I think Daye's play is encouraging.

The feeling you get when you watch him a few times is that he has a very nice "feel" for the game. I offer as the opposing example Juan Encarnacion (baseball player) who had a ton of athletic talent but seemed to not be as smooth at the game as someone like Ken Griffey Jr. Talent is a crucial element but this is a thing that gives a guy a leg up on others if he has it.

[DrWho17]

Originally Posted by Buddha

I'm pretty sure that's not what he said or meant.

The summer league is not a big deal, however, I'd much rather have my number one pick playing excellent basketball and being the best player on the floor than being a nobody.

I think Daye's play is encouraging.

I hear what you are saying, but I've watched Amir Johnson and Cheik Samb dominate the summer leagues before too, it's just a very low level of competition, and I take almost nothing from it. It's the only thing going on right now though, and people make a big deal out of it.