(This is another in a series of 30 guest columns that will run in October, when optimism reigns supreme across the NBA. The theme will be “Five Reasons to Feel Positive About … ” We encourage you to follow the authors on Twitter and visit their sites. – CS) After seven straight years of 50-plus wins from 2001-2008 – including one championship – it has been a rough half decade for the Detroit Pistons. The trade of fan favorite Chauncey Billups was supposed
UNDER CONTRACT: F Corey Maggette, G Rodney Stuckey, F Charlie Villanueva, F Tayshaun Prince, F Jason Maxiell, F Jonas Jerebko, G Will Bynum, F-C Greg Monroe, G Brandon Knight, F Austin Daye, F-C Vyacheslav Kravtsov, G Jonny Flynn, G-F Terrence Williams DRAFT PICKS: F Kyle Singler (2011), C Andre Drummond, F Khris Middleton, G Kim English FREE AGENTS: G Walker Russell, C Ben Wallace, G Damien Wilkins MOVES: Before the draft, the Pistons made a move driven by finances, trading Ben Gordon – one of
Pity poor Paul Allen. He only came in at No. 20 on the Forbes list of the 400 Richest Americans. But at least he’ll have something to hold over the heads of the other owners when they convene next month for the Board of Governors meeting in New York (then again, Allen– worth 15 billion– may not attend. He usually sends someone in his place). The only owner who can flex muscles with him is Mikhail Prokhorov of the Brooklyn Nets, with $13.2
Abt to board this plane to luxembourg. Last game of the summer for Sweden. I’m ready for this NBA season. how abt u?! #NBAse.@detroitpistons — Jonas Jerebko (@JonasJerebko) September 10, 2012 In our continuing efforts to keep you apprised of the latest developments from the Eurobasket ’13 qualifier, we grant Tweet of the Night to Jonas Jerebko of the Swedish National Team. Jerebko is listed in columnist A.J. Mitnick’s terrific list of the top 25 players with NBA ties competing this summer in
Ukraine qualified for EuroBasket 2013 with today’s win over Austria! wp.me/pJba2-3EW — Mike Fratello (@MikeFratello) September 2, 2012 Congratulations to Mike Fratello, who is coaching Ukraine for the second consecutive summer and qualified for next summer’s European championship by guiding Ukraine to a 68-57 victory over Austria. Detroit Pistons fans will be pleased to hear that incoming rookie center Viacheslav Kravtsov (No. 11 in out list of the Top 10 incoming international rookies) had nine defensive rebounds and was a plus-15 in 22 minutes
11. Petteri Kaponen, Guard, Finland, (Dallas owns draft rights) Kaponen has been moving up the food chain in European basketball since he was drafted in the first round back in 2007. Kaponen is the clear leader of the undefeated Finnish squad, pouring in 22.8 points a game to go along with 5 assists, as he prepares to take the step up to the Euroleague with the Russian giant, Khimki Moscow. He has excellent size for a point guard at 6’5”, and
ORLANDO — For one week in July, a small portion of the basketball universe converges upon central Florida to watch and participate in the Summer League. The Orlando event is always outshined by its Las Vegas counterpart, partly because there is no strip and partly because only eight NBA teams participate. The Orlando summer league is very intimate, and it is very common to see media, agents, and NBA executives conversing. The basketball is very opportunistic as players try to secure
NEW YORK — It pays to be a center, whether you are an All-Star or a promising young Turk. Also, there is a lot of interest in a 38-year-old two-time MVP. And, the main domino has not yet fallen, although Monday will be a key day in the life of Deron Williams, the Brooklyn Nets and the Dallas Mavericks. One more thing: For the first time ever, restricted free agents rather than unrestricted free agents ruled the day on Day One of the