Can we rebuild the way OKC built their team?

**Omaha Piston** · 03-07-2010, 10:36 AM

I have to admit, with the Pistons being down and OKC being somewhat close to me, I have watched a lot of their games this year. They have a nice looking squad that they primarily build around established college players. Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Green, and then put some nice established Vets around them. Kind of reminds me of the way Joe initially built Detroit. We'd obviously need to hit the jackpot with a guy like Durant and then suck for a couple more years to get guys like Harden and Westbrook, but I really like the way OKC built that team.

**sportz4life** · 03-07-2010, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Omaha Piston

I have to admit, with the Pistons being down and OKC being somewhat close to me, I have watched a lot of their games this year. They have a nice looking squad that they primarily build around established college players. Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Green, and then put some nice established Vets around them. Kind of reminds me of the way Joe initially built Detroit. We'd obviously need to hit the jackpot with a guy like Durant and then suck for a couple more years to get guys like Harden and Westbrook, but I really like the way OKC built that team.

In what way, you have to be savvy enough to draft the right players as a start/core. Where has Dumars ever given any indication he is capable of that.

**Tayshaun22** · 03-07-2010, 11:38 AM

Jeff Green is a poor man's Evan Turner to me if that means anything.

**Porcelain God** · 03-07-2010, 12:01 PM

Atlanta did the same thing. I've always rooted for the teams that relied on high draft picks. Must be the high name recognition.

**ScrubBeaterUpper** · 03-07-2010, 12:21 PM

The fallout from the forums Negative Nancy's would be nuclear if the Pistons were bad for that long.

Plus, that team is going to get real expensive real quick. Probably right when they start hitting their stride. Then BAM! Max deal Durant. BAM! 5 yr 65 mil for Jeff Green BAM! 5 yr/70 mil mil for Westbrook. Who knows what Harden will be worth, but this stuff will be happening every year for 3 years.

When and if they start competing for championships it will be a much different looking roster and will be dependent on Durant being able to carry a lot of roster filler to the promise land.

**mtk1210** · 03-07-2010, 04:16 PM

Since there is no one as dynamic as Kevin Durant coming out any time soon, no, no we can't.

**Corky** · 03-07-2010, 04:28 PM

I think Dumars would have taken Durant.

Of course if they were truly following the OKC model then the next year another town would steal the Pistons.

**Tayshaun22** · 03-07-2010, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by mtk1210

Since there is no one as dynamic as Kevin Durant coming out any time soon, no, no we can't.

Yeah, John Wall doesn't exist.

**sinister porpoise** · 03-07-2010, 06:23 PM

Sure. Add DeMarcus Cousins and trade Rip, then the Pistons will have a relatively bright future again.

**sportz4life** · 03-07-2010, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Corky

I think Dumars would have taken Durant.

Of course if they were truly following the OKC model then the next year another town would steal the Pistons.

He would have taken Oden..see 2003.

**Corky** · 03-07-2010, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by sportz4life

He would have taken Oden..see 2003.

Durant was picked after Oden. If the comparison is with the Sonics then Oden was not an issue.

**DrWho17** · 03-07-2010, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by sinister porpoise

Sure. Add DeMarcus Cousins and trade Rip, then the Pistons will have a relatively bright future again.

Indeed, the Pistons aren't as down and out as everyone portrays. They've had a bad season, they have an inexperienced coach, their top players have missed a bunch of games. One draft pick, One free agent, and one trade. After this offseason plays out, trading contracts will become easier, Tayshaun Prince will be a valuable contract. This will be the Pistons bottom out year, they will rise from here.

**sportz4life** · 03-07-2010, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by DrWho17

Indeed, the Pistons aren't as down and out as everyone portrays. They've had a bad season, they have an inexperienced coach, their top players have missed a bunch of games. One draft pick, One free agent, and one trade. After this offseason plays out, trading contracts will become easier, Tayshaun Prince will be a valuable contract. This will be the Pistons bottom out year, they will rise from here.

Dont want to burst yor bubble and sound like a broken record..it's been a long time since they have done any of those tasks well in a singular fashion..to do all of them..It's like a poor man buying a lottery ticket on his way to bankruptcy court..

**Hart** · 03-07-2010, 07:30 PM

Once Oden was off the board, taking Durant might have been the most obvious pick the last decade, besides taking Lebron. Those two were clearly the best prospects in that draft.

**ScrubBeaterUpper** · 03-07-2010, 07:41 PM

Did anyone here call Durant over Oden as the better #1 overall?

**sportz4life** · 03-07-2010, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by ScrubBeaterUpper

Did anyone here call Durant over Oden as the better #1 overall?

Nope we were still celebrating making it to the ECF.

**Deleterious** · 03-07-2010, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by DrWho17

Indeed, the Pistons aren't as down and out as everyone portrays. They've had a bad season, they have an inexperienced coach, their top players have missed a bunch of games. One draft pick, One free agent, and one trade. After this offseason plays out, trading contracts will become easier, Tayshaun Prince will be a valuable contract. This will be the Pistons bottom out year, they will rise from here.

Thats all he has to do eh?

**DaBishop** · 03-07-2010, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by sportz4life

Nope we were still celebrating making it to the ECF.

exactly what's the point of this comment?

**sportz4life** · 03-07-2010, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by DaBishop

exactly what's the point of this comment?

Just a small inside joke to SBU..

**mtk1210** · 03-08-2010, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by Tayshaun22

Yeah, John Wall doesn't exist.

John Wall is not even close to Kevin Durant, imo. Everyone says, John Wall is a better Derek Rose...so he's a Deron Williams? which is pretty effin good, no doubt. But the things Kevin Durant will do (and have done) are going to be astounding.

**sinister porpoise** · 03-25-2010, 01:49 PM

PistonPowered » Blog Archive » Pistons are toast, and John Kuester should have to watch until the bitter end – plus Dumars will use mid-level exception

Joe Dumars plans to use mid-level exception

Here’s the real news of the night:
Joe Dumars said in an interview with Eli Zaret that aired during tonight’s telecast he plans to use the mid-level exception this summer to acquire a quality player.

I was worried with the economy down in the area, coupled with his desire to sign Will Bynum, that Dumars wouldn’t use the MLE this year. Thankfully, it’s in the cards.

Dumars also said he plans to acquire a quality player through the draft and another via trade (which indicates he’s not looking to dump Richard Hamilton for an expiring contract – at least not as the only deal of the summer).

That’s a plan I can get behind.

**Deleterious** · 03-25-2010, 02:16 PM

What do you guys think Bynum will get for a contract? Is $3 million reasonable? High/Low?

If its $3 million that puts them at $58 million. If they then spend the full MLE you are over $63 million and right up against the lux tax most likely.

Honestly, unless they can get a real impact player with it, I say don't spend it and relieve some of this cap space problem.

**Buddha** · 03-25-2010, 02:50 PM

The only way to rebuild like OKC (or Atlanta) is to have multiple top 5 picks for three or four years in a row.

**lesgoblu02** · 03-25-2010, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by ScrubBeaterUpper

Did anyone here call Durant over Oden as the better #1 overall?

Raises hand. I thought it was a no brainer.

**sportz4life** · 03-25-2010, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Buddha

The only way to rebuild like OKC (or Atlanta) is to have multiple top 5 picks for three or four years in a row.

And actually draft well..you neglected to add that part. Noitce Westbrook, Durant and Green can all play..no stiffs in the bunch.

**sportz4life** · 03-25-2010, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Deleterious

What do you guys think Bynum will get for a contract? Is $3 million reasonable? High/Low?

If its $3 million that puts them at $58 million. If they then spend the full MLE you are over $63 million and right up against the lux tax most likely.

Honestly, unless they can get a real impact player with it, I say don't spend it and relieve some of this cap space problem.

Quality player and mid level exemption..hmm..

**Deleterious** · 03-25-2010, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by sportz4life

Quality player and mid level exemption..hmm..

Here is the list Patrick Hayes came up with:

Potential players the Pistons could target with the mid-level exception | MLive.com

Brad Miller, Leon Powe, TJ Ford, Travis Outlaw, Kyle Korver, and Randy Foye.

Outlaw maybe. Powe a big yes. But he has a team option next year. No way Cleveland lets him walk when he is only making $900k.

**sinister porpoise** · 03-25-2010, 06:46 PM

I'd really like Outlaw for the MLE.

**sportz4life** · 03-25-2010, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Deleterious

Here is the list Patrick Hayes came up with:

Potential players the Pistons could target with the mid-level exception | MLive.com

Brad Miller, Leon Powe, TJ Ford, Travis Outlaw, Kyle Korver, and Randy Foye.

Outlaw maybe. Powe a big yes. But he has a team option next year. No way Cleveland lets him walk when he is only making $900k.

Miller..yes think he's going to a contender who runs the motion offense

Powe..what Del says

TJ Ford..yes..but Dumnars would rather have that budding AS..Bynum..

Outlaw..excellent pickup..he should follow LeBron, perfect spot up shoooter

Korver..yeah right..Utah where the white jump shooter is prayed to like the prophet..he's not leaving..they may actually arrest him if he tried.

Foye..nice idea, we are trying to build a roser of 9 SG's.

**Truth** · 03-25-2010, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by lesgoblu02

Raises hand. I thought it was a no brainer.

I thought it was too.

**Elevate** · 03-25-2010, 09:33 PM

They will certainly be terrible for long enough to make a run at it. However, I'm sure Joe will draft Donetas Montejunas and thwart the whole "tank to get a good pick" theory.

If they come out of the draft without one of Wall, Cousins, Johnson or Turner, I will be very disappointed. I fully expect to be very disappointed.