Lockout Cools Pistons’ Draft Fire

Lockout Cools Pistons’ Draft Fire
By Steve St-Pierre

When its collective bargaining agreement expired July 1, the NBA locked out its players after failing to reach a new deal with owners. The timing’s unfortunate for anybody associated with the league but especially teams anxious to begin developing their new rookies.

The Pistons, who had the No. 8 pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, might have wound up with the biggest steal of the year in Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight. Detroit had every intention of taking a power forward at No. 8, anticipating Knight being off the board as early as No. 3. It just wound up working out that none of the teams drafting ahead of the Pistons had a dire need at point guard.

“We targeted big guys initially, but we said if those guys were gone, we would take the guy with the best value,” says Joe Dumars, Pistons President. “It was a talent we didn’t think we could pass up.”

“I’m definitely happy to be here in Detroit,” Knight says. “It’s a great feeling to be picked by Detroit. It’s a great city with a great tradition.”

When Knight was initially selected with the eighth pick, he wore an expression that screamed disappointment. Yet, he insists his only frustration stems from slipping in the first round.

“I think I reacted that way because I’m just a serious guy, and that’s always been my nature to be calm and collected,” Knight says. “Like I said, there’s a great tradition here. They have won three championships, and I’m hoping we can add to that.”

Detroit is also pleased with their second-round selections: Duke combo forward Kyle Singler at No. 33 and Florida power forward Vernon Macklin at No. 52.

“These are some good people,” Dumars says of his draft choices. “These guys have been raised the right way. Their families have done an incredible job with them, and we’re happy to have these guys represent us on a daily basis.”

Some argue Knight could wind up being better than the only point guard selected ahead of him, Kyrie Irving of Duke. The Cleveland Cavaliers took Irving with the No. 1 overall pick despite the fact he only played 11 games as a freshman due to a toe injury.

“(Knight) may have been the most impressive guy in terms of the interview process in Chicago,” Dumars says. “Just an off-the-charts guy…we spent a lot of time with him in Chicago. Everybody on the staff spent time with him.”

Though the Pistons were targeting a power forward in the beginning, it couldn’t have worked out better for them than to land a top point guard. It was Detroit’s most glaring need as the team has yet to find a replacement for former star Chauncey Billups. Rodney Stuckey, who the Pistons had hoped would settle into the role, is a restricted free agent and much more suited to play shooting guard.

Now, the Pistons can comfortably pencil in Knight as their starting point guard, splitting the minutes there with veteran reserve Will Bynum. If the team opts to re-sign Stuckey, he’ll likely share minutes at shooting guard with veteran Ben Gordon. Disgruntled swingman Rip Hamilton remains on the roster, though he could be traded or bought out whenever the lockout ends.

“We’ll end up adding more talent to this team,” Dumars says. “(Knight) can play in the backcourt with the other guards we have, and we’ll allow him to grow.”

Local media has already begun comparing Knight to Billups.

“The comparison is because he can shoot so well,” Dumars says. “(Knight) can really shoot the ball so well. When you name the best-shooting point guards, he’ll be one of those guys.”

As for their frontcourt, the Pistons still have plenty of depth. Greg Monroe remains the team’s starting center, and they have every intention of re-signing restricted free agent Jonas Jerebko, who will likely start at one of the forward positions. The other starting spot could go to Austin Daye, who hopes to finally have an opportunity to play consistent minutes.

The NBA’s free agency period will resume as soon as the lockout ends. Besides Jerebko and Stuckey, the Pistons have four unrestricted free agents in forwards Tayshaun Prince, Tracy McGrady, Chris Wilcox and DaJuan Summers, who has already signed a two-year contract to play in Italy.

Though the lockout forbids teams from any kind of player movement or contact, it doesn’t stop teams from being able to hire or fire coaches. The Pistons, since firing John Kuester, have interviewed five candidates for their head coaching vacancy: Mike Woodson, Bill Laimbeer, Lawrence Frank, Kelvin Sampson and Patrick Ewing. Since Detroit is the only team currently without a head coach, they haven’t felt rushed to make a decision.

Whoever becomes the Pistons’ next head coach knows it will be a prerequisite to play his new young players, particularly Knight.

“It’s not about years or anything like that,” Dumars says. “It’s just about trusting that this kid is going to get better. You draft a kid like this, the way they get better is you allow them to make mistakes. You’re not going to put them out there and put them in a position that they have to be perfect or else. You have to live with some mistakes with a young player.”

If there’s one thing to keep Pistons fans enthused during this lockout period, it’s knowing that the franchise is committed to adding talented players with the right mentality and commitment to winning.

“Brandon told me he’s tough, although he’s a little, slim guy,” Dumars jokes. “He told me he’s tough, so we believe that. There is no question about Kyle and Vernon’s toughness.

“But by and large what I’m saying is these guys epitomize what we’re about going forward.”

Pistons Take Knight, Singler and Macklin

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

They went into the 2011 NBA Draft prepared to select a big man, believing that the top point guards would be off the board by the time they picked at No. 8. Fortunately, all but one slid down to the Pistons, who wound up selecting Kentucky's Brandon Knight.

Detroit also owned two selections in the second round, opting for Duke's Kyle Singler at No. 33 and Florida's Vernon Macklin at No. 52. Singler's a talented all-around combo-forward, while Macklin's a tough-minded power forward known for his blue-collar work ethic.

Knight should be penciled in immediately as the Pistons' starting point guard as Rodney Stuckey is set to become a restricted free agent July 1. Stuckey could be brought back to play alongside Knight in the backcourt, which also features veterans Ben Gordon, Will Bynum and Rip Hamilton, though Hamilton could be moved before next season.

Joe Dumars, Pistons President, addressed the media shortly after the selection of Knight, admitting that he had planned to take a big man but could not pass on the promising point guard. Knight had been expected to go between picks 3 and 5.

Gores, Dumars Prepare For NBA Draft

Gores, Dumars Prepare For NBA Draft
By Steve St-Pierre

Officially the new owner of the Pistons, Tom Gores has wasted little time making his mark on the franchise. He’s decided to keep Joe Dumars as President and GM, who has since announced the firing of John Kuester as Head Coach. Gores and Dumars now have less than a month to negotiate trades, interview coaching candidates and gear up for the 2011 NBA Draft before the league enters into a lockout in July.

Dumars has recently admitted that he was unable to make all the moves he’s wanted to make due to the sale of the franchise. Now that his restrictions have been lifted under Gores, Dumars is hopeful he can make significant progress on his plan to rebuild the Pistons’ roster.

Currently, the Pistons have nine players under contract: Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Greg Monroe, Austin Daye, Will Bynum, Jason Maxiell and Terrico White. According to reports, the team has been trying to trade Hamilton for the past couple of years, and they’ll need to in order to give Gordon the amount of playing time and shot attempts he requires to flourish at the shooting guard spot. Likewise, Monroe is ready to be the team’s full-time starter at center, making the aging Wallace expendable as well.

With Detroit prepared to rebuild around Gordon and Monroe, the team’s goal now is to put pieces around them. Bynum and White are the only point guards under contract at this time. With few options available to them in the draft at that position, the Pistons will likely look to free agency or trades to acquire a starting-caliber point guard to play alongside Gordon in the backcourt. Up front, the team has all intentions of re-signing restricted free agent Jonas Jerebko.

With that in mind, the Pistons are expected to take a power forward with their first-round pick in this year’s draft to split time with Villanueva and Maxiell. That would leave Jerebko and Daye to battle it out for the starting spot at small forward. Detroit owns the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, and they expect to have a number of potential prospects to choose from at that spot. Those candidates include international forwards Jonas Valanciunas, Jan Vesely and Bismack Biyombo to go along with Texas big man Tristan Thompson.

With two additional picks in the second round, the Pistons could be looking to target a natural center to play behind Monroe. One name that certainly intrigues them is a local standout from Oakland University, Keith Benson. It’s also possible Detroit could shop both picks in order to acquire another first-rounder or to bring in another veteran player, perhaps in a deal that would also include Hamilton.

Besides improving the roster, Gores and Dumars will have to decide whether or not to pursue a new head coach before the expected lockout. Local reports are currently indicating Mike Woodson and Bill Laimbeer as the early front-runners. Woodson, who was the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks for six seasons, served as an assistant on the Pistons under Larry Brown during the team’s 2004 championship season. Laimbeer, of course, is a fan-favorite due to his past success as a Pistons player and as head coach of Detroit’s former WNBA franchise, the Shock.

It’s quite possible the Pistons’ front office will elect to focus solely on improving its roster for the month of June and simply wait until after the draft to hire a head coach. Either way, the team will need to be aggressive these next couple weeks in terms of shopping players and scouting the upcoming rookie class. The 2011 NBA Draft should hopefully be the beginning steps toward revitalizing the ball club.

PISTONS FIRE HEAD COACH!

In Play Magazine

JOHN KUESTER RELIEVED OF PISTONS’ COACHING DUTIES

        AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that John Kuester will not return next season as the team’s head coach.  The decision was made following a meeting between ownership and the head coach.

“Decisions like this are difficult to make,” said Dumars. “I want to thank John for his hard work and dedication to the organization over the last two years, however, at this time we have decided to make a change.”

Dumars goes on to say, “As our organization moves forward and prepares for the future, the search for our club’s new head coach is a priority and will begin immediately.  However, at this time, we do not have a timetable for hiring a successor.  We’ll conduct our due diligence privately and announce a decision when we’ve identified that individual.”

Kuester, who was named head coach on July 9, 2009, tallied a regular-season record of 57-107 in two season’s with the Pistons.  He served one season in Detroit as an assistant coach under Larry Brown in 2003-04, helping the Pistons win the NBA Championship that year.

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SALE OF PALACE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT AND DETROIT PISTONS COMPLETED

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The sale of Palace Sports and Entertainment (PS&E) and the Detroit Pistons to Tom Gores and his investment firm, Platinum Equity, was formally completed today, following unanimous approval by the NBA’s Board of Governors. With the transfer of ownership Mr. Gores becomes the fourth owner in Detroit Pistons’ franchise history.

“I am very excited at the opportunity to lead this great franchise into the future,” Mr. Gores said. “The passion and commitment of Pistons fans is legendary, and our goal is to meet every one of their expectations. That starts with the hard work and values necessary to compete for championships. It also includes being a real partner in the community, and we intend to do that as well. We’re going to do everything we can to ensure that this organization deserves the passion of our fans. We can’t wait to make a difference in Detroit.”

NBA Commissioner David Stern announced on Tuesday that the NBA Board of Governors had unanimously approved the change of ownership. 

“It's very important to us, because we think Tom will bring renewed vigor and energy to that great franchise,” Mr. Stern said at a news conference prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals. “He's really very anxious to get going…and that's a very good development for the Detroit Pistons and the good fans of Detroit.”

The Detroit Pistons are one of only seven teams in NBA history to win three or more championships and have made 40 playoff appearances in franchise history (fourth-most in the NBA).  Since the 2000-01 season, Detroit has compiled a record of 512-390 (.568), won six Central Division titles, made six consecutive trips to the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals from 2003 to 2008, won two Eastern Conference Championships (2004, 2005) and made consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, including an NBA Championship in 2004. 

On the entertainment side, PS&E’s Michigan venues average 300 events and 3.5 million guests annually.  The Palace has been voted Arena of the Year eight times by Performance magazine, twice by Pollstar magazine and is listed annually among North America’s top-grossing arenas.  Voted “Best Outdoor Concert Venue” in Pollstar’s 2000 Readers’ Poll, DTE Energy Music Theatre has been listed as the nation’s most attended amphitheater by Amusement Business/Billboard each of the 20 years of PS&E ownership.  Meadowbrook Music Festival on the campus of Oakland University hosted a record-tying six sold out shows in 2010 and achieved its second highest attendance average under PS&E’s 17 years of management.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Davidson family and what has been built here. Palace Sports and Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons have enjoyed a great tradition of success and have been committed to being a positive influence in the community,” Mr. Gores added.  “Our mission is to continue that legacy and do it the right way.”

Karen Davidson transfers control of the company to Tom Gores after nearly 37 years of Davidson family ownership.  William Davidson became the club’s majority owner in 1974.

“Throughout this process, my goal was to find the right owner to lead Palace Sports and Entertainment into the future and I am certain that Tom Gores is that person,” said Davidson.  “He is an astute businessman, works hard and will bring a passion to this organization – that same passion that Bill had for so many years.”

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Pistons Get No. 8 Pick In 2011 NBA Draft

Steve St-Pierre
Sports Writer
In Play! Magazine
sstpierre@inplaymagazine.com

The Pistons were hoping for a bit of luck in their second straight trip to the NBA Lottery. Unfortunately, it was bad luck that crept up on them as they were actually bumped down a spot and wound up with the No. 8 pick in this year's NBA Draft.

The 2011 NBA Draft, being held June 23 in New Jersey, is loaded with power forwards, making it likely that the Pistons go with somebody at that position to play alongside center Greg Monroe. Despite moving down a spot, Detroit is still expected to have plenty of big men to choose from.

The other possibility is that the Pistons take a point guard in the first round in hopes that a big man will slide to them in the second round. The Pistons have a hole right now at point guard since Rodney Stuckey and Tracy McGrady will be free agents this summer, leaving the team with just Will Bynum and Terrico White, who missed his entire rookie season last year due to injury.

Gores Leads Pistons’ Youth Movement

Gores Leads Pistons' Youth Movement
By Steve St-Pierre

The Pistons are committed to rebuilding around a youthful core. It begins at the top with Tom Gores, the franchise’s dynamic new owner.

Chairman and CEO of global investment firm Platinum Equity, Gores reached an agreement in early April with Karen Davidson, former Pistons Owner, to purchase the team along with The Palace of Auburn Hills, DTE Energy Music Theatre and the operating rights to Meadow Brook Music Festival. The deal was announced after several months of negotiations.

“We are pleased to welcome Tom Gores as the new owner of the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment,” Davidson says. “Just as my late husband, Bill Davidson, was the face of the Pistons, I am confident that Tom will bring the same energy, dedication and love to this organization. I look forward to seeing Tom follow in Bill’s footsteps and carry on his legacy…we look forward to facilitating a smooth transition under Tom and achieving even greater success in the future.”

The deal is expected to be finalized by June 30, pending league approval and normal closing conditions.

“I’m excited,” says the 46-year-old Gores, who grew up near Flint. “‘Excited’ is not actually the right word. Ecstatic. I’m back in Michigan, where I grew up, and I appreciate everybody welcoming me back.”

Gores considers the opportunity to own the Pistons a dream come true and a chance to be a difference-maker.

“It’s interesting about dreams,” he says. “I mean, of course, I’ve always wanted to own a sports team, but it came together. Everything came together at the right time. I grew up with sports, but mostly I’m excited about inspiring the town.”

The plan is for Gores, once his ownership is completely finalized, to continue traveling between Detroit and Los Angeles. Yet, he vows to take an active role with the Pistons.

“I’ll be whatever owner this team needs and this franchise needs,” Gores says. “When they need me back, I’ll be back. I will be impactful, that’s for sure.

“I want us to be successful. I didn’t show up here to not be successful. (I’ll do) whatever it takes.”

Gores acknowledges that he will not be able to turn the organization around alone.

“This is a community asset,” he says. “This is not an asset that we’re gonna handle alone…we have to do this together. It is a true partnership.”


A number of challenges present themselves to Gores when it comes to improving this basketball team. He has several decisions to make, including the status of John Kuester, Pistons Head Coach, as well as the upcoming 2011 NBA Draft, which will be held June 23. His first task, though, is to meet face-to-face with Joe Dumars, Pistons President and GM.

“We’re in the learning process,” Gores says. “Joe is an amazing part of the Pistons organization, and we have to talk more, make sure we’re all on the same page, but he clearly is a part of this legacy…

“…We’re gonna learn first, so we’re not in decision-making mode. Are we afraid of change? Absolutely not. We’re ready for change, no problem. Sometimes you need change, but we’re gonna learn right now.”

Assuming Dumars remains with the organization, he and Gores will likely focus on the coaching situation. Very few believe Kuester will remain as head coach. Reports have already emerged that the team is considering both former Pistons legend Bill Laimbeer and former Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Woodson, a one-time assistant in Detroit, as possible replacements.

The 2011 NBA Draft Lottery will be held May 17. The Pistons have a 4.3 percent chance at landing the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, though their best chances are at landing the No. 7 pick. They’re expected to take either a point guard or a power forward.

In the meantime, the sale of the franchise must be officially completed. Gores is thankful to the Davidson family for giving him the opportunity.

“I think Karen handled the situation really, really well,” he says. “Bill (Davidson) clearly built this house, and I have to build on it. I haven’t done anything yet.

“Bill did it all. He built the stadium, he built the team, he built the championships, and we have to go to work. Karen, I think, handled the situation beautifully, and all we want to do now is go to work and help the team, the Pistons organization, the community. All we’ve done is make a deal to buy the team, and we have to do more.”

To anybody who questions Gores’ loyalty towards the community and keeping the Pistons in Detroit, he insists he’s doing just that.

“Do you think I’m crazy? We’re here,” he says. “We’re here.”

Despite the organization’s question marks, its new owner remains optimistic he can turn things around for the Pistons.

“There’s a great, deep organization here that existed before us, and we need to make the most out of that,” Gores says. “This is not a culture you throw away. This is an unbelievable city. It’s an unbelievable organization.

“How long did Bill own the team? 30 some years, right? We need to take advantage of that, and I want to make Bill Davidson proud that we bought the team.”