by Myles Nelson » Thu May 19, 2011 8:46 pm
I really dislike going through this game so slowly, so I'm going to pick up the pace a bit. Not going to do game by game recaps, but just post results and my thoughts.
Miami 118, Detroit 73
Chicago 96, Detroit 65
Thoughts and Trade
I'm fine with getting blown out, I really don't mind it at all, especially since we are aiming for a top draft pick. What I do mind is the fact that George, Davis and Stuckey, the supposed future of my franchise, are all shooting under 40%. That's just horrific. So I hit the phones and start wheeling and dealing. I originally think about getting Omer Asik, but I think I can do better, so I target the best post player available, especially since he's getting no minutes on his current team.
Detroit Pistons trade
Ed Davis
Paul George
2013 1st Round Pick
Portland Trailblazers trade
Greg Oden
Jordan Crawford
2011 1st Round Pick
2013 1st Round Pick
Winner
Detroit, by far. Davis will never fit in to Detroit shooting 30+% in the post and loving the jumpshot, and George didn't look like he was going to improve. The Pistons snagged a 20s pick and swapped their 2013 pick. It seems as though the Blazers are banking on the Pistons continuing to suck in 2013, although Detroit has no such intentions.
I'm ecstatic to receive Oden. He becomes the starting center as Jordan Crawford becomes the backup swingman. Crawford and Jerebko make up a young and good backup swing core, while Oden and Taj Gibson up front create a young potent front court. Now just to do something about Stuckey...
Game Results
Washington 89, Detroit 78 - Despite Oden's 2-8 shooting, his 10 point, 14 rebound, 7 assist and 4 block debut was well-received.
Atlanta 94, Detroit 90 - A close loss to a potent Atlanta team.
Detroit 108, Philadelphia 85 - Big games from Jason Williams (30 points), Oden (16 points, 17 rebounds) and Jerebko (19 points), gave us a nice win.
After this game I decide to help my one competitor (Phoenix) out a little for some future considerations. Here's the trade.
Detroit Pistons trade
Tayshaun Prince
2012 2nd round pick
Phoenix Suns trade
Grant Hill
2011 2nd round pick
2012 2nd round pick
Winner
Both teams. The Pistons send Tayshaun Prince away and get back Grant Hill, a very comparable player who also has an expiring contract. The difference here is in the 2nd round picks. The Pistons pick up an extra 2nd rounder, and swap comparable 2012 picks.
We really just kind of did this so that Phoenix would be better than us and we'd have a better chance of getting a #1 pick, and at the very worst getting a #4 pick. Hopefully it pans out. Jonas Jerebko gets the starting spot, which he rightfully deserves.
Game Results
Memphis 107, Detroit 97 - Taj Gibson and Oden chip in 20 and 18, respectively, as we only lose to Memphis by 10.
Chicago 122, Detroit 80 - Stuckey comes back to go 4-19, reminding me that I still have to trade him.
Detroit 102, San Antonio 94 - Great games from Gordon and Oden propel us to a victory over San Antonio.
Los Angeles Lakers 96, Detroit 67 - This is ridiculous. Stuckey had more turnovers than assists.
Denver 108, Detroit 87 - We just didn't come prepared.
Phoenix 128, Detroit 94 - Stuckey had 9 turnovers. I can't take it anymore.
I look around the league, feel out Minnesota for Rubio again since they have Flynn, Sessions and Augustin already but they won't budge. New Orleans won't deal Collison, and Felton has too big of a contract. I figure that I might as well just wait and see if I can get Kyrie or Brandon Knight, see how they look as a point guard, and if they don't look good enough then I'll deal with the PG situation then. Either way, Stuckey will be gone by the beginning of next season.
Detroit 98, Minnesota 77 - The day after I try to shop Stuckey for Rubio, Stuckey gets 26 points, 12 assists and 3 turnovers against Rubio who only gets 2 assists.
Detroit 108, Clippers 89 - Stuckey follows that up with a 10 turnover game.
We went 5-9 in the month of January, and made some (in my opinion) great trades. We have also officially become the worst team in the NBA.