Post by Detroit Pistons Sports Group on Feb 6, 2008 18:58:19 GMT -5
Point Guard:
Tywon Lawson PG 23 5'11'' 193 C+ A- A+ B+ C B
Although small at 5'11'' hes still been a beast. Last season he averaged nearly 20 a game while dishing out 9.2 ast. 1.5 stls and 4.7 brds all out of this little package. Last yr he was the second or third scoring option but thats no longer needed so were looking for more ast and less scoring out of him. Hes got decent Def and should hold his own against most PGs in the league. We would like to see him get 12 to 16 ppg and upward of 11 to 12 ast a game. Hes had 49 double doubles his first 2 yrs we would like him to Average a double double this yr. Hes got mad options to pass it too.
Key Back Up:
Andre Miller came a bit pricey but for a one yr back up he should fill in nicely for what we need out of him. We just want a competent back up that can play defense as well as pass the rock. Youngster AJ Price thought and could regain the number two spot but for now we like the veteran presence that Miller brings.
Shooting Guard:
Jeremy Pargo SG 24 6'4'' 220 A- A- B- B- C A
Jermey Pargo officially moves from the point to the shooting guard spot. Hes really worked on both his inside and outside shooting game this off season taking both of them from B grade to A- grade. He showed some GREAT signs last yr and as probably the second or third scoring option this year were expecting BIG things out of this kid. Last yr in his rookie year he was able to take his season average from 3 ppg to about 11 ppg in about 30 games sinse getting the starting nod in Detroit. This yr were expecting him to be somewhere between 15 and 22 PPG but we see higher upside out of him. Hes not Lock DOWN defense yet but he say he will try to work on that over the upcoming yrs.
Key Back UP:
Arron Afflalo could possibly start on a few teams and has some key experience starting on Detroit last yr if we needed him at either the SF or SG spot. For now hes just a relatively high energy guy that has shown the ability to score you 10 to 20 points any given night but he also showed alot of inconsistency thus him not getting true opportunity to start this year. Ellington on the bench could also see some minutes but we find hard to believe at least this yr that he really contributes.
Small Forward:
Al-Farouq Aminu SF 21 6'9'' 215 A- A- B- A- A- A
Aminu is a healthy sized SF that brings Mad game to the NBL. He has instant superstar written all over him as there have been many comparisons to guys of Labrons ilk. I don't know if hes going to be a guy that can give you 30 7 and 6 a night from day one but the pistons management has been given the green light to start him day one as the MAIN OPTION. He is a modest fellow and refuses to acknowledge what the pundits are saying but he had a GREAT training camp and looks to explode into this league. His defense is top notch as well as both an inside and outside scoring machine. 22 point 6 brd and 4 ast not out of the question but sky is the limit here.
Key Back UP
Martell Webster may not have the high flying ability of Aminu but hes still an explosive player in his own right. Last season he finally had the chance to show glimpses of what he can do but he did not relish the starting role. This yr we hope to use him off the bench to help with key outside shooting as well as break the young Aminu during the LONG season. Matthews Doesn't figure to see much if any playing time although still a solid 3rd option.
Power Forward:
Elton Brand PF 31 6'8'' 254 A- C D A A- C
Brand has never been the tallest PF but he gets the job done. Brought in as the Key FA acquisition this off season he will get the job of being the scoring beats down low. Having Brand as the 2nd OR 3rd scoring option frees up both Lawson to just pass the ball as well as Lopez to just block and board. If Brand can get anywhere near his 20 and 10 that he normally does it could really help push this Detroit team into strong playoff contention. This SHOULD also give us at least 3 20 PPG scorers on a regular basis that Detroit hasn't had in quite a few yrs.
Key Back Up:
Rookie Brandon Costner had a very good TC putting him just infront of Tasmin Mitchell who came out of no where last yr to contribute at a fairly high level. Both Costner and Mitchell arnt and strong as Elton but there more Fineness outside scoring bigs. This should help open up the floor more for everyone. If Brand were too go down both guys should be able to fill right in with probably 12 and 8 or so.
Center:
Robin Lopez C 22 7'0'' 255 A- C- C A- A B
Last yr Lopez led all rookies in blocks and was among the lead in Brds. This year hes greatly improved his inside scoring and well as his Def and brds. Hes not needed so much as a scoring option but with how this team should spread the ball around he should still get his shots. We would like to see him get 12 to 15 points a game to go with 10 brds and maybe 4 blocks.
Key Back Up:
Early 2nd round pick Ryan Anderson moved his 6'10" frame from PF to C this off season to give Lopez a solid back up option. Hes another big man with lots of potential and with his B+ outside scoring he should be able to open up the floor nicely. Jason Smith shouldn't play much.
Team Philosophy:
This year is going to be a bit more run and gun and score in bunches from the outside. They have the inside presence to bang with the big boys but they have the outside scoring to blow by anyone. Last year Detroit averaged around 95 a game this year we would like to see that jump to around 105 a game and were hoping for a top 4 seed in the East. Look out this team is loaded with dangerous young weapons and there looking foward to using them.
Tywon Lawson PG 23 5'11'' 193 C+ A- A+ B+ C B
Although small at 5'11'' hes still been a beast. Last season he averaged nearly 20 a game while dishing out 9.2 ast. 1.5 stls and 4.7 brds all out of this little package. Last yr he was the second or third scoring option but thats no longer needed so were looking for more ast and less scoring out of him. Hes got decent Def and should hold his own against most PGs in the league. We would like to see him get 12 to 16 ppg and upward of 11 to 12 ast a game. Hes had 49 double doubles his first 2 yrs we would like him to Average a double double this yr. Hes got mad options to pass it too.
Key Back Up:
Andre Miller came a bit pricey but for a one yr back up he should fill in nicely for what we need out of him. We just want a competent back up that can play defense as well as pass the rock. Youngster AJ Price thought and could regain the number two spot but for now we like the veteran presence that Miller brings.
Shooting Guard:
Jeremy Pargo SG 24 6'4'' 220 A- A- B- B- C A
Jermey Pargo officially moves from the point to the shooting guard spot. Hes really worked on both his inside and outside shooting game this off season taking both of them from B grade to A- grade. He showed some GREAT signs last yr and as probably the second or third scoring option this year were expecting BIG things out of this kid. Last yr in his rookie year he was able to take his season average from 3 ppg to about 11 ppg in about 30 games sinse getting the starting nod in Detroit. This yr were expecting him to be somewhere between 15 and 22 PPG but we see higher upside out of him. Hes not Lock DOWN defense yet but he say he will try to work on that over the upcoming yrs.
Key Back UP:
Arron Afflalo could possibly start on a few teams and has some key experience starting on Detroit last yr if we needed him at either the SF or SG spot. For now hes just a relatively high energy guy that has shown the ability to score you 10 to 20 points any given night but he also showed alot of inconsistency thus him not getting true opportunity to start this year. Ellington on the bench could also see some minutes but we find hard to believe at least this yr that he really contributes.
Small Forward:
Al-Farouq Aminu SF 21 6'9'' 215 A- A- B- A- A- A
Aminu is a healthy sized SF that brings Mad game to the NBL. He has instant superstar written all over him as there have been many comparisons to guys of Labrons ilk. I don't know if hes going to be a guy that can give you 30 7 and 6 a night from day one but the pistons management has been given the green light to start him day one as the MAIN OPTION. He is a modest fellow and refuses to acknowledge what the pundits are saying but he had a GREAT training camp and looks to explode into this league. His defense is top notch as well as both an inside and outside scoring machine. 22 point 6 brd and 4 ast not out of the question but sky is the limit here.
Key Back UP
Martell Webster may not have the high flying ability of Aminu but hes still an explosive player in his own right. Last season he finally had the chance to show glimpses of what he can do but he did not relish the starting role. This yr we hope to use him off the bench to help with key outside shooting as well as break the young Aminu during the LONG season. Matthews Doesn't figure to see much if any playing time although still a solid 3rd option.
Power Forward:
Elton Brand PF 31 6'8'' 254 A- C D A A- C
Brand has never been the tallest PF but he gets the job done. Brought in as the Key FA acquisition this off season he will get the job of being the scoring beats down low. Having Brand as the 2nd OR 3rd scoring option frees up both Lawson to just pass the ball as well as Lopez to just block and board. If Brand can get anywhere near his 20 and 10 that he normally does it could really help push this Detroit team into strong playoff contention. This SHOULD also give us at least 3 20 PPG scorers on a regular basis that Detroit hasn't had in quite a few yrs.
Key Back Up:
Rookie Brandon Costner had a very good TC putting him just infront of Tasmin Mitchell who came out of no where last yr to contribute at a fairly high level. Both Costner and Mitchell arnt and strong as Elton but there more Fineness outside scoring bigs. This should help open up the floor more for everyone. If Brand were too go down both guys should be able to fill right in with probably 12 and 8 or so.
Center:
Robin Lopez C 22 7'0'' 255 A- C- C A- A B
Last yr Lopez led all rookies in blocks and was among the lead in Brds. This year hes greatly improved his inside scoring and well as his Def and brds. Hes not needed so much as a scoring option but with how this team should spread the ball around he should still get his shots. We would like to see him get 12 to 15 points a game to go with 10 brds and maybe 4 blocks.
Key Back Up:
Early 2nd round pick Ryan Anderson moved his 6'10" frame from PF to C this off season to give Lopez a solid back up option. Hes another big man with lots of potential and with his B+ outside scoring he should be able to open up the floor nicely. Jason Smith shouldn't play much.
Team Philosophy:
This year is going to be a bit more run and gun and score in bunches from the outside. They have the inside presence to bang with the big boys but they have the outside scoring to blow by anyone. Last year Detroit averaged around 95 a game this year we would like to see that jump to around 105 a game and were hoping for a top 4 seed in the East. Look out this team is loaded with dangerous young weapons and there looking foward to using them.
