[FadedMario]

Stuckey's 3 year deal may not be fully guaranteed

Stuckey's 3 year deal:
11-12: $8.5 million
12-13: $8.5 million
13-14: $8.5 million (only $4 million is guaranteed)

via Shamsports

(didn't know if this has been mentioned on here yet)

Off-Topic: DaJuan Summers started for NO last night.

In just over 26 minutes:

11 points (5-8 shooting), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 TOs

Post any Pistons news or rumors here

[tin mad dog]

That's good to know.

[Dave Bing]

Interesting about the Stuckey contract.

[King Mob]

Can we sticky this thread? It'd be nice to have Pistons news all in one place.

[Lou Stefanic]

I can sticky this thread. Do people want it stickied?

[King Mob]

Sticky it for the greater good! Plus the Other Players thread for NBA news and the 201? draft thread for draft talk. Click clack.

[The King]

Where's Diddy when you need him?

[Lou Stefanic]

Them's a lot of stickies.

[Stefan S]

Once we have the real news (like, finally, Dumars fired or Gordon traded or, like the Mayans predicted, we have the end of the world), I bet people will will ignore this thread and will start a thread or two for each of the developing stories.

I'd say, do not stick this one.

[whoDean]

More stuck threads the less readable the forum becomes...when there are recent posts it will be at the top anyway.

[Jeff Hause]

I'd prefer a thread with a guarantee of no posts about Stuckey, whatsoever. A non-Stuckey sticky...

[FadedMario]

The Stuckey deal has been confirmed - it's true.

It hasn't been a rousing start for Rodney Stuckey.

After signing a three-year, $25-million deal that caused him to miss the first week of training camp because of negotiations, he is off to his slowest start since he missed 25 games as a rookie because of a broken left hand.

Hampered by a sore left groin that has caused him to miss four games, Stuckey's numbers are down across the board after a promising month to end last season.

So you can add another questionable signing to president of basketball operations Joe Dumars' résumé, right?

Actually, on second glance, the deal makes even more sense -- especially when you consider that the third year of the deal is only guaranteed for around $4 million.

Stuckey probably is making a little below his market value, since he is guaranteed only $21 million.

It shows you the Pistons hedged their bets by not only giving Stuckey a three-year deal -- they also didn't break the bank. But it also goes to show what little leverage Stuckey had during negotiations.



Pistons crafted Rodney Stuckey's deal wisely | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

[FadedMario]

It’s early, and his team somehow ranks 28th or worse in both offensive and defensive efficiency, but after Thursday night, it can no longer be ignored: Greg Monroe is having a monster season. The numbers are ridiculous:

• Monroe is fifth in the league in Player Efficiency Rating, and one of the guys ahead of him (Manu Ginobili) will soon fall off the leader board due to a lack of minutes.

• He is shooting 59.7 percent from the floor. Only Nene shot better last season.

• He has rebounded 14.4 percent of Detroit’s misses, an offensive rebounding rate that would have led the entire league last season.

• He has assisted on 19.4 percent of Detroit’s baskets while on the floor Among players 6-foot-9 or taller, only Hedo Turkoglu and Brad Miller posted higher assist rates last season. One of those guys isn’t a traditional big man, and the other barely eked out 1000 minutes.

There are caveats beyond the fact that the 2-9 Pistons have been miserable overall. They rank in the bottom third of the league in assist rate, and they have recently been starting a rookie point guard (Brandon Knight) with an assist rate lower than Monroe’s. They also have Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon to handle and pass, but neither is an elite distributor. Someone has to rack up the assists, and Monroe, a good passer dating to his time at Georgetown, has filled the void.

You could make the same argument about Monroe’s rebounding, since the rest of the big-man minutes have been going to two so-so rebounders (Jason Maxiell and Jonas Jerebko, the latter a bit of a tweener) and Ben Wallace, still a very good rebounder, but one who doesn’t play much anymore. Detroit ranks as an average offensive rebounding team and a below-average defensive rebounding team, so someone has to grab the rebounds Detroit does manage to snare, and that someone is Monroe.

But you can’t ignore what a force Monroe has been on offense, and how he is getting those points and assists this season compared to last. Monroe is attempting twice as many mid-range jumpers as he did last season, and while you don’t want any big with his skills around the rim to get too jumper-happy (hi, Josh Smith), Monroe made just 12 shots from 10 feet and out all of last season, according to Hoopdata. He’s made nine such shots already this season. Any floor-spacing from a big man is helpful, and Monroe has already used the threat of his improved mid-range shot to build a face-up, off-the-dribble game. In torching the Bucks for 32 points and 16 boards on Thursday, Monroe gave Andrew Bogut fits with a face-up attack of jab steps, spin moves and sudden bursts to the basket.

Monroe isn’t explosive as a vertical leaper, but he has nimble feet, and he’s fast moving forward in the air even if he doesn’t jump high. He can squeeze through a small space and have that lefty layup on the glass before your bigger, more explosive center can quite reach the ball.

Then there’s this: Monroe is 26-of-51 (51 percent) on shots from post-up chances this season, according to the stat-tracking service Synergy Sports. He was just 29-of-80 (36 percent) on post-up shots in all of last season, when he relied on offensive rebounds and cuts for exactly half of his offensive chances. In other words, Monroe was a bit of a scavenger last season, even if there is art and skill in grabbing offensive rebounds and sensing where, how and when to cut into open spaces. Monroe has good court sense in that way, and he excelled last season in making himself available when his defender shifted away from him.

You can make a fine NBA career out of being a high-level big man scavenger with speed and touch. You can be a star if you add elite scoring ability and refined passing to those scavenging skills. That’s what Monroe has done on offense so far this season. Only about 28 percent of his offensive chances have come from cuts and offensive boards combined. Monroe is finding the right balance between individual and team, and both he and the Pistons will be better for it.

The obvious area of concern is defense, where Monroe is going through the same growing pains every young big man in the NBA experiences. He has the tools — those quick, shuffling feet, long arms, etc. — to be a good team defender in pick-and-rolls and other situations, but he’s not there yet. He can struggle to work his way through screens under the hoop, and he has been a part of some glaring rotation breakdowns.

He’s not getting a ton of help with this stuff, either. Detroit’s guards, especially Ben Gordon, are among the least enthusiastic help defenders in the league when it comes to those cross-screens under the basket, and when Maxiell and Monroe run at the same player during a series of rotations, the blame doesn’t fall with Monroe every time.

Team defense in the NBA is really hard. Kevin Garnett has talked repeatedly over the last few seasons about the importance of having two big men grow comfortable defending together — communicating, learning each other’s preferences, understanding when to switch and how to rotate. The Pistons and Monroe are far from this ideal.

But the raw material is here, and Monroe looks to be stouter in the post; opponents have shot just 11-of-33 against him in post-up chances this season after torching him for 50 percent shooting in the post last season, according to Synergy.

That represents progress, and it will come it fits and starts — and with setbacks — on both ends of the floor. But Monroe is one of the nice stories of the season so far.

The Point Forward Posts Big man Greg Monroe has quietly become a force in Detroit

[joe servo]

Originally Posted by FadedMario

The Stuckey deal has been confirmed - it's true.

It hasn't been a rousing start for Rodney Stuckey.

After signing a three-year, $25-million deal that caused him to miss the first week of training camp because of negotiations, he is off to his slowest start since he missed 25 games as a rookie because of a broken left hand.

Hampered by a sore left groin that has caused him to miss four games, Stuckey's numbers are down across the board after a promising month to end last season.

So you can add another questionable signing to president of basketball operations Joe Dumars' résumé, right?

Actually, on second glance, the deal makes even more sense -- especially when you consider that the third year of the deal is only guaranteed for around $4 million.

Stuckey probably is making a little below his market value, since he is guaranteed only $21 million.

It shows you the Pistons hedged their bets by not only giving Stuckey a three-year deal -- they also didn't break the bank. But it also goes to show what little leverage Stuckey had during negotiations.



Pistons crafted Rodney Stuckey's deal wisely | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Dumars has set the bar so low for himself that we're praising him for signing bums to contracts with a half-off final year. So, $8mil for Stuckey, $7 or $8 for Tay and $4mil for Jonas this year and Gores should be shitting his britches looking at the production he just spent $20mil on this year and next year, but he catches a break two years from now with only throwing $16mil out the window. The incredible thing is Dumars signed all of the guys to amnesty-worthy contracts as soon as the amnesty rule came out. So many amnesty possibilites, so little time...

[Kstat]

Neither Stuckey's deal nor Jonas's deal were bad ones. Tay is debatable, but none of those contracts are cap slugs.

You're being very unrealistic.

[DYNOMITE]

Originally Posted by Kstat

Neither Stuckey's deal nor Jonas's deal were bad ones. Tay is debatable, but none of those contracts are cap slugs.

You're being very unrealistic.

But truthfully, that argument has been made around here for the last 5 years. Move-able assets are not move-able assets if we cannot move them. All these non-bad contracts haven't improved the team. If you keep locking up mediocrity, even at reasonable rates, you end up with mediocrity.

[Jangul]

Well, in fairness, we couldn't move anybody while the franchise was in limbo.

[DYNOMITE]

Originally Posted by Jangul

Well, in fairness, we couldn't move anybody while the franchise was in limbo.

He signed BG, Rip, CV, and Max when he wasn't in limbo. He was amazed at the process of hiring an NBA coach. (after new ownership was in place) And he locked up Prince, JJ, and Stuckey since he got the OK to GM again. Don't forget last year's stated #1 priority was resigning Bynum. Any one of these moves can be defended. But taken together, the team we have is exactly the team Joe deserves.

[Kstat]

Prince is fine as the veteran holdover guy. He's not that old, and he still defends at a high level. He can also come off the bench later on in his career if we find his future replacement.

Jonas for $4 a year million is a steal. Jonas is a high energy, mobile forward that rebounds and moves off the ball very well. As a combo reserve, he'd be very good. He's getting killed right now because he's out of position at PF, which is fine, because he isn't making the salary of a starting PF.

Stuckey is a quality scorer and defender. His numbers don't indicate it right ow because he's been hurt, but he's an excellent 2-way guard that plays hard. He's the ideal fit next to Knight, which I'd like to see put into practice when he gets healthy.

[King Mob]

Originally Posted by Kstat

Prince is fine as the veteran holdover guy. He's not that old, and he still defends at a high level. He can also come off the bench later on in his career if we find his future replacement.

Jonas for $4 a year million is a steal. Jonas is a high energy, mobile forward that rebounds and moves off the ball very well. As a combo reserve, he'd be very good. He's getting killed right now because he's out of position at PF, which is fine, because he isn't making the salary of a starting PF.

Stuckey is a quality 2-way player. His numbers don't indicate it right ow because he's been hurt, but he's an excellent 2-way guard that plays hard. He's the ideal fit next to Knight, which I'd like to see put into practice when he gets healthy.

While I agree with everything in this post, I have to ask: what happened between last season and this season that made you do a 180 on Prince? Last season you blasted every move he made on the court, every game, in every thread on this board. Now you don't have a bad word to say about him. Not that I'm complaining...but this reversal is so stunning that I have to ask.

[Kstat]

Last year Kuester tried to run the offense through Tayshaun, and it was irritating to no end, because tayshaun is not a point forward. In hindsight, my issue was with the way he was used, more than Tayshaun himself. It was also sapping his play on the defensive end, because he was expending so much energy trying to do shit he couldn't really do.

I guess I supported bringing him back because Rip was cut loose, and because we drafted Knight to run the team.

This season, Tayshaun has been free to do what he does best (defend), and he hasn't been the focal point of the offense. IMO, his play this year has been pretty enjoyable. He stays out of the way of the younger guys, and still does his job when called upon.

[Stefan S]

Originally Posted by Kstat

Last year Kuester tried to run the offense through Tayshaun, and it was irritating to no end, because tayshaun is not a point forward. In hindsight, my issue was with the way he was used, more than Tayshaun himself. It was also sapping his play on the defensive end, because he was expending so much energy trying to do shit he couldn't really do.

I guess I supported bringing him back because Rip was cut loose, and because we drafted Knight to run the team.

This season, Tayshaun has been free to do what he does best (defend), and he hasn't been the focal point of the offense. IMO, his play this year has been pretty enjoyable. He stays out of the way of the younger guys, and still does his job when called upon.

this ^

and also, generally, there is a more mellow vibe going around
affecting the way people tend to think and relate to each other

I guess, maybe people are a bit more optimistic even though
in objective terms, we still suck just as much (OK, maybe a bit less).

[DYNOMITE]

If the league continues to force the Pistons to take part in their annual draft there is a chance we will improve.

[Stefan S]

we have a very good coach

and we have two definite pieces
at two of the most important and hardest to fill positions

and we do not have much luggage and dead wood
and can simply cut some loose
and we know that our owner is willing to take a short term loss

those are all reasons for optimism

(Also, we have one of the best GM in the league
who already have proven it once and, in addition,
constructed the team that made it to SIX continuous conference finals.
This is amazing. Usually teams collapse shortly after their run.
But, I understand, I touch now upon some extremely controversial issue
for which we have a specially designated thread.)

[FadedMario]

A source says Jason Thompson, who is eligible for a contract extension, will not be offered one by the Kings.

Thompson is no longer starting for Sacramento.

Via David Aldridge/NBA.com

This might be something for Dumars to look into. I bet Prince could get it done.

[FadedMario]

Rodney Stuckey is comfortable coming off the bench as the first guard to enter the game.

Stuckey feels he can blend with either Ben Gordon or Brandon Knight.

"Nah, I don't really care. If I start or come off the bench, I'm blessed," Stuckey said. "Whether I'm the sixth man, seventh man, I don't worry about that."

Stuckey has been a starter since former coach Michael Curry inserted him as point guard in the 2008-09 season.

Via Detroit News

[FadedMario]

Cousins last 2 games after his 21 and 19 night

4 points 4 rebounds 0 assists on 14% shooting

12 point 10 rebounds 0 assists on 33% shooting

Monroe's last 2 games after his 32 and 16 night

19 points 9 rebounds 5 assists on 45% shooting

25 points 8 rebounds 1 assist on 50% shooting

DeMarcus Cousins

14.3 PPG (41% FG)
10.3 RPG
0.5 APG

Greg Monroe

17.2 PPG (57% FG)
9.1 RPG
2.8 APG

[Jeff Hause]

Originally Posted by FadedMario

Rodney Stuckey is comfortable coming off the bench as the first guard to enter the game.

Stuckey feels he can blend with either Ben Gordon or Brandon Knight.

"Nah, I don't really care. If I start or come off the bench, I'm blessed," Stuckey said. "Whether I'm the sixth man, seventh man, I don't worry about that."

Stuckey has been a starter since former coach Michael Curry inserted him as point guard in the 2008-09 season.

Via Detroit News

I'm all for that. I think Stuckey is great 6th man who can come in at either position in limited minutes. If he ever develops a stroke he could be another Vinnie. Gordon at least gives Knight an outside shooter to pass to, so we aren't starting the play over each time somebody catches the ball...

[joe servo]

Sounds like he's checked out to me; dude could care less as long as those checks are clearing.

[Kstat]

Originally Posted by joe servo

Sounds like he's checked out to me; dude could care less as long as those checks are clearing.

Nice logic. If he bitches about it, he's a cancer. If he accepts it, then he's a quitter....

[Whiteman]

The Evan Turners, Udoh, Favors, Wes Johnson, I bet all those teams wish they drafted Monroe instead. But thats hindsight. And we all know about hindsight. Just good to see were on the other side this time.

[Jeff Hause]

Well, fortunately all of Joe's other options were gone, already. Same with Knight...

[Kstat]

You could say the same thing about most GMs best draft picks...

[Jeff Hause]

Yeah, especially the ones with bad teams...

[Hobbs]

Favors still has a chance to be great. Evan Turner has shown some promise this year as well. Never really understood why Minny closed in on Johnson.

[Jeff Hause]

Don't get me wrong, I like the picks, but they aren't brilliant moves or anything, they were just BPA. If they don't work out, I wouldn't blame Joe -- it was just the luck of the draw.

I do blame him for Darko. He wasn't BPA -- he just wasn't scouted enough. He was taken as a high-risk gamble that blew up in Dumars' face...

[King Mob]

I know it's been repeated a thousand times, but no one outside of Dick Vitale considered Darko a high-risk gamble at the time.

[Kstat]

Dick Vitale also considered Dwight Howard a high risk gamble, so take that with a grain of salt...

[tin mad dog]

Originally Posted by The King

Where's Diddy when you need him?

Diddy's sticky threads were not meant to be touched by the masses.

[Jeff Hause]

Sure he was. Everybody knew he hadn't developed yet, and it would be years before they would know. (Probably meaning that nobody had seen him play.) Of course, not being able to dunk at 7'3" should have been a hint.

There was even a line by the Pistons on why they passed on Anthony: "We took Darko because we already have Tayshaun Prince." Something like that, anyway...

[The King]

Is the screenshot of the Diddy "evidence" still around?

[tin mad dog]

I think Medz has it.

[tin mad dog]

Thread (safely) stuck.

[The King]

The Zapruder film of the forum. I distinctly remember the red circle around the Micah tabs. The Diddler. A forum legend, of sorts. A disgusting, vile, unstable individual.

[hack]

Who made a lot of good points around here and served as a very useful and funny foil. But it was hellaciously funny how he went down.

[Forsh]

Not really news or rumors, just this player popped into my head a few minutes ago. Not a difference-maker or anything, but we're so thin up front ... can't hurt to suggest (like Dumars is listening, haha):

Gani Lawal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Forsh]

And I didn't even catch the 32 points and 21 rebounds per (2) game(s) in the Chinese Basketball Association or whatever it's called, either.

[Kstat]

Because Chinese league results are worthless. It's worse than D-league ball.

I think JR Smith had a game of 55 points and 24 rebounds in his brief stint there.

[Dave Bing]

Austin is lazy.

The lack of practice can also affect guys in extended slumps or players who want to work themselves back into the playing rotation. Both of those describe forward Austin Daye , who has yet to find any type of rhythm.
"Austin not being a part of the rotation," Frank said. "Every day he has an opportunity to work. Hey, this is survival of the fittest."

[Lou Stefanic]

Austin Daye is going to be out of this league in a couple of years.