Monroe, Summers and Pistons

[EasyEd]

Greg had a great year last year under the then coach but now will have to transition to a new one. DaJuan got little playing time and now has the opportunity to impress a new coach. What's the opinion on what the effect will be on Greg and DaJuan?

[tashoya]

Seems to me that Greg is gonna be Greg. Solid all-around player that is very coachable and a team-oriented guy. I can't imagine a new coach having any issue whatsoever with meshing with what Greg brings. DaJuan has yet to show much of anything unfortunately.... at least not enough that would impress really any coach at that level. Hopefully, a new coach will light a fire under him to work on his game and get in a little better game shape but I'm not overly optimistic on that front. I completely hope, however, that I'm wrong with regard to DaJuan and he finally lives up to his (perceived) potential.

[RBHoya]

DaJuan will be lucky to be on the team next year. Hope he makes it in Detroit or somewhere.

FWIW I heard Isiah Thomas and Kelvin Sampson mentioned in connection with the job, neither of which really sound like great ideas to me. Hope it's somebody who can maximize Greg's ability.

[vcjack]

It really is remarkable that DaJuan has not spent any time in the D league as of yet. The most contribution on the floor came during the "veteran revolt" when half of the team didn't dress for skipping practice.

Greg is already becoming the face of the franchise. We should start marketing to big man recruits "come be a Hoya, you'll become a fan favorite of a Midwestern NBA team"

[nychoya3]

Greg is the cornerstone piece. The second half he put together for them was outstanding for a 20 year old rookie. He plays winning basketball and he's a high character player. If they're smart, they will build around his talents.

Dajuan...who knows. There are plenty of guys not in the league who can do what he does, but that's true of a lot of end of the bench players. It wouldn't shock me if he sticks around a roster for a while, whether in Detroit or elsewhere, but I wonder if his skills are going to develop without some more game reps. As is, he does pretty much one thing and that's shoot three pointers. He is pretty good at that, but not good enough to stick in the league unless he learns to rebound, play defense, or score at the basket.

[rosslynhoya]

Jun 8, 2011 11:20:11 GMT -5 vcjack said:

It really is remarkable that DaJuan has not spent any time in the D league as of yet.

Seconding this. DaJuan is obviously doing something right to spend two years on an NBA roster.

A quick scan shows that only 5 other second-rounders from the 2009 draft played for two seasons in the NBA: Sam Young, Dejuan Blair, Jodie Meeks, Chase Budinger, and AJ Price.

That might not be "elite" company but it's certainly a select group. I just hope it's cost-effective for the Pistons to keep him around for a third year.

[RDF]

Mike Woodson is the name to watch with Pistons job--think he'll get it. Isaiah Thomas floats this garbage out through people and he's not even going to be considered. Bill Laimbeer WILL be considered and should--he's earned his stripes as a WNBA Coach/Assistant on the NBA level.

Greg had a great rookie season and out of the true rookies (Griffin being a "redshirt") he was second to only John Wall in impact and production. Just consider the fact that if the Pistons would actually give him the ball/let him create some shots for them with his passing ability instead of having to do everything without any plays run for him, they'll really be impressed because his best asset as a player (court vision/passing) wasn't even utilized.

Summers---hope other teams have interest in him because if not, it's off the DL for him.

[DanMcQ]

All of the articles written recently addressing this (several are linked in the Hoyas-NBA thread in this forum) have singled out Monroe as the cornerstone of the franchise going forward.

[prhoya]

Greg will be a dream player for any new coach coming in... great guy, great attitude and obviously skilled.

As for Dajuan, would he consider going to the D-League or Europe? Would he be sulking if he does? Does he have the right attitude for it and to get back to the NBA? $$$ would still be coming in.

People mention that his skill is shooting the 3. He's 38% career (GU and NBA) shooter from distance. For those of you who know where to find the stats to compare, is that considered good or average in the NBA? If it's average, that % does not make up for his horrible rebounding (NBA career 0.9 rpg; a certain 5'10" NBA PG averages 1.9; 6'4" Kidd averages 4.4), lack of an inside offensive game and bad defense. A coach cannot risk playing 4-on-5 with DS waiting to take his shot without doing the rest of the work expected from a 6'8" F. But, DS is young and can learn. I'm hoping he decides to help his team and contribute with rebounds, comes closer to the basket for mid-range jumpers/hooks/tap-ins a la Marion, and tightens/intensifies his defense, while still practicing and improving his 3s. It should lead to a second contract.

[nychoya3]

His three point shooting is certainly well above average for a 6'8'' guy who (in theory) should be able to play some power forward. But since he doesn't rebound or defend like a power forward, his height isn't useful. He's not as athletic as people think - he can jump high, but he doesn't move well other than that. Marion is just on a different planet that Dajuan. Maybe a guy like Rodney Rogers is a good role model?

It's pretty unfair to compare Kidd's rebounding numbers to Dajuan without adjusting for minutes, but the story remains the same. He is a terrible rebounder for his size.

[prhoya]

Yes, I'm not an NBA fan so I couldn't really say who is a true/better comparison for DS or who should he model his game after to have a long career. The missing ingredients are clear.
True re: Kidd, yet the numbers don't lie.

Jun 8, 2011 14:16:12 GMT -5 nychoya3 said:

His three point shooting is certainly well above average for a 6'8'' guy who (in theory) should be able to play some power forward. quote]

Not sure. I would like to see numbers. We need the stat guys: 3-point FG% for 6'7" to 6'9" NBA players.