Pistons Media Session - 2005

Pistons GM: We have spent every dime of the salary cap and the roster is now set going into the 2005-06 Sim season. I'm gonna turn over the floor to any media members that have questions regarding the past season of acquisitions that have led us in Detroit to this point.

What is your starting lineup and scoring options? Who will move from the SF spot? Wallace or Jackson?

Starting lineup right now is Kaman, Wilcox, Wallace at 3, Jackson at 2, and Nash. Gooden and Martin should see heavy minutes too as the backups at 4 of the starting spots. As far as third scoring option, it's not gonna be Nash but could be either Wilcox or Martin.

New additions this offseason besides Nash and Wallace are rookies Jarrett Jack at PG and Ersan Ilyasova at PF.

Jack may have been the last of the second tier point guards available in the draft but should be a very good fit as Nash's backup. He doesn't have to be a scorer and can facilitate when asked to. There is some degree of stability at PG here in Detroit for the next 4 years.

Ilyasova is listed as a PF, which I already had 3 of with Wilcox, Gooden, and Haslem, but he can also fill in at SF as needed. Upside on this pick was that those three PFs are all expiring this year so Ilyasova can fill in depending on who resigns next offseason.

Overall that is the direction we wanted to go. On an 11 man squad, only four people will be held to playing only one position. Wallace, Jackson, and Martin will all split the time at 2 and 3. Wilcox and Gooden can fill in at Center when needed. Haslem and Outlaw should see limited minutes but they will be available at 3 and 4.

Since our last media session, after the Iverson trade, these are the big moves that have been executed and the end result of the Iverson trade. I will only try and justify the Iverson trade in that it helped me build the team my way.

Nash and Ilyasova for #6 pick
Kaman for '06 1st
Gooden for sixers '05 1st
Wilcox for Cassel

End result of Iverson trade:
Iverson for Martin, Jack, Haslem, and Wilcox

Bill Simmons, Sports Guy here so how do you feel about the end result of this trade? Do you feel an 11 man rotation might be too deep, do you feel in a superstar driven league you essentially traded a superstar for 4 role players? And is Stephen Jackson playing out of position now?

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Originally Posted by HornetsFaninKY

Bill Simmons, Sports Guy here so how do you feel about the end result of this trade? Do you feel an 11 man rotation might be too deep, do you feel in a superstar driven league you essentially traded a superstar for 4 role players? And is Stephen Jackson playing out of position now?

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I think I'm 11 deep in roster only. I know my 8-man playoff group and they will get the majority of the minutes all year. In the end, I probably didn't land some of the big guys I thought I would in the draft, but those four and Gerald Wallace make me a better contender I think. My team centered around Iverson didn't produce many good results. I think I am ready to challenge in the division and in the playoffs as soon as this year.

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Originally Posted by TrayWithAnA

I think I'm 11 deep in roster only. I know my 8-man playoff group and they will get the majority of the minutes all year. In the end, I probably didn't land some of the big guys I thought I would in the draft, but those four and Gerald Wallace make me a better contender I think. My team centered around Iverson didn't produce many good results. I think I am ready to challenge in the division and in the playoffs as soon as this year.

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Of course, I won't be calling my own shot like they are in Houston. Lets see how the season shakes out.

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Originally Posted by HornetsFaninKY

Bill Simmons, Sports Guy here so how do you feel about the end result of this trade? Do you feel an 11 man rotation might be too deep, do you feel in a superstar driven league you essentially traded a superstar for 4 role players? And is Stephen Jackson playing out of position now?

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And to answer your question, I think Jackson can play the 2 without really sacrificing production.

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Originally Posted by TrayWithAnA

Of course, I won't be calling my own shot like they are in Houston. Lets see how the season shakes out.

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I didn't call my own shots until I won 51 games last season.

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Originally Posted by Pelicans78

I didn't call my own shots until I won 51 games last season.

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I'm just talking about this season. I feel confident, but not overly confident. We'll see how it goes. I believe this is the best roster I could put on the floor.

Bill Paschke: Hi, Bill Plaschke here from the L.A. Times. I have a few questions ranging from expectations to the overall build of the team to a rouging one of your Rivals best players. First off, Coming from a team that gets larger expectations often, what are your expectations for this season and the next 3 years? Do you foresee having to preach patience and process to the media and the team going forward?

Bill Paschke:Secondly, When you were drafting and in free agency, what was your mindset going in? how did you make this new Project plan to rebuild so quickly? What made you choose to rebuild quickly as opposed to waiting maybe 3 seasons like the Raptors are doing?

Bill Paschke:Last and certainly not least, but you're crown jewel of a signing of Gerald Wallace came at the expense of one of your biggest rivals, the Milwakee Bucks. You've been down for the last couple of years and this rivalry has kind of cooled off, but can you talk about the targeting their free agent, your discussions with him and why he came to Detroit?

Will Maukie of BucksNation.com here.

I'm not bitter, I swear. But just curious, why did you go after a guy at a position you were strongest at when the position you were weakest at was balls deep this Free Agency? Don't give me that baloney of "Stephen Jackson can play the 2" gar-bage. If you remember correctly, Stephen Jackson was drafted by us as a 2 and only started excelling when moved to the 3. Options like Vince Carter, who took a paycut to play in Phoenix (maybe his heart was there), were still there.

I truly believe I speak on behalf of the BucksNation.com reader fan base when I say "Hope this move bites the Pistons in the ***. ENJOY THE REBUILD, GERALD. YOU TRAITOURS PIECE OF **** ****er dick ******* tit *******."

Not bitter, I swear.

I'll go ahead and address the same question that has been asked two different ways by the Lakers and Sucks beat writers.

There was one major need going into the postseason and that was point guard. My mentality was either drafting Chris Paul or Deron Williams or going after some big name free agents like Stephan Marbury who is still on the market. Having lost the lottery and drawing the worst case scenario pick, I knew all I would have available is Raymond Felton or BPA. I was offered Nash and pick 11 for pick 6. Nash and Jack seemed like a better option than Felton and chancing it at a big name point guard free agent. Since I address the point guard need in one fell swoop, I knew that my 1 and 4 positions were pretty well covered. To be honest, I took a shot at every major free agent at the other three positions. Okur, Johnson, Brand, and Wallace were all max money contracts I could afford. I also offered the most I could to Kobe, Garnett, and Webber. These were obviously far less than the max, but crazier things have happened. At the end of the day, Jackson can play both positions and I managed to address the need at PG. That combined with a strong front court meant that I had some wiggle room. My offer to Wallace also had a little bit of gamesmanship to it as well. The Bucks knew I'd offer a max for a very worthwhile guy and therefore they had to offer a max. He liked his fit on my team better I guess. Would have liked another player to have had Johnson, Okur, or Kobe, but Wallace's defense is a welcome addition.

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Originally Posted by TrayWithAnA

Would have liked another player to have had Johnson, Okur, or Kobe, but Wallace's defense is a welcome addition.

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Will Maukie again.

So, you settled? Would've preferred other players, but meh, Wallace will suffice, you suppose? Great words for the defensive cornerstone of your team.

YOU HEAR THAT GERALD? Still... not bitter. Much.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Bill Paschke: Hi, Bill Plaschke here from the L.A. Times. I have a few questions ranging from expectations to the overall build of the team to a rouging one of your Rivals best players. First off, Coming from a team that gets larger expectations often, what are your expectations for this season and the next 3 years? Do you foresee having to preach patience and process to the media and the team going forward?

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Bill Paschke:Secondly, When you were drafting and in free agency, what was your mindset going in? how did you make this new Project plan to rebuild so quickly? What made you choose to rebuild quickly as opposed to waiting maybe 3 seasons like the Raptors are doing?

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Well, Bill, I am fairly confident that the strengths in my front court and my defensive focus will make me a force to be reckoned with right away. I felt like I had some key pieces under contract right now that waiting three or four years to develop would be missing a key opportunity now. I have some very talented guys on rookie contracts, and a stud SF that has four years remaining. I felt like I was only a few pieces away from being a contender in the East. If you remember right, my team was middle of the road with Cassel at starting PG. Adding Nash and Wallace has solidified my starting five and pushed some very capable bodies to the bench. We are very excited about the season starting, and luckily this core is under contract for the next three years.

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Originally Posted by BallSoHard

Bill Paschke:Last and certainly not least, but you're crown jewel of a signing of Gerald Wallace came at the expense of one of your biggest rivals, the Milwakee Bucks. You've been down for the last couple of years and this rivalry has kind of cooled off, but can you talk about the targeting their free agent, your discussions with him and why he came to Detroit?

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I am not sure why Wallace chose to take a pay cut or to wave the seven year option, but I do know that we welcome the GWall and the renewed rivalry that comes with it. It honestly was dumb chance that he signed with us, and we assure Milwaukee that GWall and the Pistons will keep it professional when we are routing them in our four game regular season series.

DEEEEE-TROIT BAS-KET-BALLLLL!!!!!

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Originally Posted by IamQuailman

Will Maukie again.

So, you settled? Would've preferred other players, but meh, Wallace will suffice, you suppose? Great words for the defensive cornerstone of your team.

YOU HEAR THAT GERALD? Still... not bitter. Much.

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I assure you that he was towards the bottom of my list, but I don't think outside of signing Kobe I could be any happier with the results of Free Agency. I guess twisting my words could be hurtful to Gerald, but probably not as hurtful as waiting till round 2 of free agency to get that max money offer.

Will, U MAD BRO?

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Originally Posted by TrayWithAnA

I assure you that he was towards the bottom of my list, but I don't think outside of signing Kobe I could be any happier with the results of Free Agency. I guess twisting my words could be hurtful to Gerald, but probably not as hurtful as waiting till round 2 of free agency to get that max money offer.

Will, U MAD BRO?

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As a fan, I can't control how the front office handles their finances with the team. I hear rumors that the original offer was a 7yr/70mil deal. Sounds like a starting point, seeing as Gilbert Arenas, a true team player, decided to help his team in the long run by taking a lower paycut to make the team better. Further reports indicate that the second offer was that of 7yr/107mil (starting 12.4). Not sure how throwing an extra 37million at a guy is disrespectful or hurtful. Oh well, he has plenty of dirty Detroit dollars to wipe those woeful waterworks of his.

Detroit Pistons, continuing the losing tradition since 2002.

GO BUCK YOURSELF, BRAH!

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Originally Posted by IamQuailman

As a fan, I can't control how the front office handles their finances with the team. I hear rumors that the original offer was a 7yr/70mil deal. Sounds like a starting point, seeing as Gilbert Arenas, a true team player, decided to help his team in the long run by taking a lower paycut to make the team better. Further reports indicate that the second offer was that of 7yr/107mil (starting 12.4). Not sure how throwing an extra 37million at a guy is disrespectful or hurtful. Oh well, he has plenty of dirty Detroit dollars to wipe those woeful waterworks of his.

Detroit Pistons, continuing the losing tradition since 2002.

GO BUCK YOURSELF, BRAH!

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What does Milwaukee have to offer anyone as a free agent? Cheese? Cows? Motown? Oh wait...That's Detroit.

He took a $700k paycut in that first year and an additional 2.5% on each subsequent year. When you crack 8-digits, does it really matter? Plus our colors are RED, WHITE, AND BLUE!!! 'MERICA!!!

Take your communist state of Milaukee colors with you and GET OUT OF MY PRESS CONFERENCE!!!

...with all due respect

Clark Kent, Daily Planet:

Were you aware that the 11.6 offer was still about 6 to 8 hundred thousand less than the max of players with that experience?


Also, you have spoken very highly of your center and power forward who had scored a combined total of 17 points per game last year. Is there something that the normal people who don't happen to live in Detroit don't know? Is Wilcox faster than a speeding bullet? Is Kaman stronger than a Locomotive? Please help us mere mortals figure out what we don't know or aren't seeing. It's not like we have x-ray vision or anything.

Also, besides Stephen Jackson, where will your scoring come from? Will you be forced to put Nash high on the scoring options, limiting his distribution?

And rumors have it that you and the Bucks GM are friends outside of Basketball. If true, can you describe what kind of knife you used to stab him in the back?

One word: Spaghetti.

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Originally Posted by Soundwave

If true, can you describe what kind of knife you used to stab him in the back?

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Hahahahaha

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Originally Posted by Soundwave

Clark Kent, Daily Planet:

Were you aware that the 11.6 offer was still about 6 to 8 hundred thousand less than the max of players with that experience?


Also, you have spoken very highly of your center and power forward who had scored a combined total of 17 points per game last year. Is there something that the normal people who don't happen to live in Detroit don't know? Is Wilcox faster than a speeding bullet? Is Kaman stronger than a Locomotive? Please help us mere mortals figure out what we don't know or aren't seeing. It's not like we have x-ray vision or anything.

Also, besides Stephen Jackson, where will your scoring come from? Will you be forced to put Nash high on the scoring options, limiting his distribution?

And rumors have it that you and the Bucks GM are friends outside of Basketball. If true, can you describe what kind of knife you used to stab him in the back?

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So you are saying the discount he took was even more than I originally anticipated? OK, don't really know what to say except I appreciate your financial expertise.

17 PPG... in 39 MPG. Haslem thrived during the Cassel games last year. I anticipate a more than capable PG in Nash can facilitate the PFs offense again. Kaman got 4 points a game in 9 minutes of play being log-jammed behind Yao and Amare. If he regresses slightly to 3.5 every ten minutes, we are still talking 10-11 ppg. I can live with that. He is a very capable inside scorer and will prove it this year. Maybe I stretched giving up a first for him, but with two years left on his deal, I am counting on it being worth it. Wilcox, Gooden, Kaman, and Haslem may not be flashy names, but they will succeed with Nash at the helm.

According to the averages from last year, my players averaged 101.2 PPG. Jackson/Wallace/Martin will be my scoring options at the beginning of the season.

I am sure that he is still slightly angered by the surprise signing. I would be too. This is a funny game and the ball bounced my way. I can't help that and won't apologize for it. I wanted to make sure he offered the max that Wallace was due. I'm sure the other two interested parties offered comparable max offers. I have to look out for what is best for the Detroit Pistons.

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Originally Posted by TrayWithAnA

So you are saying the discount he took was even more than I originally anticipated? OK, don't really know what to say except I appreciate your financial expertise.


I am sure that he is still slightly angered by the surprise signing. I would be too. This is a funny game and the ball bounced my way. I can't help that and won't apologize for it. I wanted to make sure he offered the max that Wallace was due. I'm sure the other two interested parties offered comparable max offers. I have to look out for what is best for the Detroit Pistons.

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Yeah, I didn't think you realized that the max was 12.4.

I know you thought you got him at a slight discount, but it's even better.


I need a SF, but Wallace was too inefficient a scorer for my team needs so I didn't even bother.


*don't hate the player, hate the game.

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Originally Posted by Soundwave

Yeah, I didn't think you realized that the max was 12.4.

I know you thought you got him at a slight discount, but it's even better.


I need a SF, but Wallace was too inefficient a scorer for my team needs so I didn't even bother.


*don't hate the player, hate the game.

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I was thinking that 12.4 was the max that the team with his bird rights could sign him for. I haven't been in the market for a max money guy in a few years and it is well documented that the numbers previously posted are incorrect, so that is interesting.

I'm going to give him a shot as a scoring option with an inside focus, but I really think that Wilcox and Kaman can produce if needed. I expect my defense to carry this team. Should be fun to find out at least.

SportsGuy back, I want to thank you for having the most entertaining press conference possibly of all time. And for your honest answers. I realize I'm the last person who should be bringing up max or near max contracts because my team hands them out like they are flyers for nightclubs on the Vegas Strip. But what was it in Wallace that you saw that is worth a max (or near max) contract, 14ppg and 7rpg even with stellar defense, aren't quite max numbers.

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Originally Posted by HornetsFaninKY

SportsGuy back, I want to thank you for having the most entertaining press conference possibly of all time. And for your honest answers. I realize I'm the last person who should be bringing up max or near max contracts because my team hands them out like they are flyers for nightclubs on the Vegas Strip. But what was it in Wallace that you saw that is worth a max (or near max) contract, 14ppg and 7rpg even with stellar defense, aren't quite max numbers.

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The 2.3 steals and 1.8 blocks sure are nice too. I liked him as a young player to complement some holes on defense and rebounding i exhibited last year. He is an inside focused scorer and I am a team that was leaning heavily that way already. It makes 2-5 viable inside scoring options now, and he may just bring out the best in Martin. I have split minutes similarly to this in the past and think that Martin will still see 25-30 MPG and be successful. Sometimes you have to take chances to solidify holes in your general team outlook. Needless to say, I expect to be the most improved team. How big of an improvement that is, well, again, we'll just have to wait and see.

Will Maukie, again.

You're looking to Wallace for rebounds? TROLOLOLOLO. Hashtag Spaghetti

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Originally Posted by IamQuailman

Will Maukie, again.

You're looking to Wallace for rebounds? TROLOLOLOLO. Hashtag Spaghetti

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Jackson 5.5 rebound
Martin 5.1
Wallace's 6.5 will be an upgrade.

Jackson 1.4 steals
Martin 1.0
Wallace's 2.3 will be an upgrade

Jackson 0.2 blocks
Martin 0.1
Wallace's 1.8 will be an upgrade

Will Maukie, don't be a bitter ex-girlfriend. You're better than that.

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Originally Posted by TrayWithAnA

So you are saying the discount he took was even more than I originally anticipated? OK, don't really know what to say except I appreciate your financial expertise.

17 PPG... in 39 MPG. Haslem thrived during the Cassel games last year. I anticipate a more than capable PG in Nash can facilitate the PFs offense again. Kaman got 4 points a game in 9 minutes of play being log-jammed behind Yao and Amare. If he regresses slightly to 3.5 every ten minutes, we are still talking 10-11 ppg. I can live with that. He is a very capable inside scorer and will prove it this year. Maybe I stretched giving up a first for him, but with two years left on his deal, I am counting on it being worth it. Wilcox, Gooden, Kaman, and Haslem may not be flashy names, but they will succeed with Nash at the helm.

According to the averages from last year, my players averaged 101.2 PPG. Jackson/Wallace/Martin will be my scoring options at the beginning of the season.

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Bitter? Who's bitter? Surely not I.

Haslem thrived on your team because someone else outside of Jackson and Cassel HAD to take shots once in a while. That's like saying a roach survived because some other rodent decided to leave scraps behind. The Pistons offense was anemic (and that's offensive to Anemic people worldwide).

(PS - this is all good and fun; I'm not really pissed or this bitter... just making things exciting and refueling a rivalry... just wanna make sure Tray knows that before he needs to borrow some of those Wallace dollars for tissues ;) )

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Originally Posted by IamQuailman

Bitter? Who's bitter? Surely not I.

Haslem thrived on your team because someone else outside of Jackson and Cassel HAD to take shots once in a while. That's like saying a roach survived because some other rodent decided to leave scraps behind. The Pistons offense was anemic (and that's offensive to Anemic people worldwide).

(PS - this is all good and fun; I'm not really pissed or this bitter... just making things exciting and refueling a rivalry... just wanna make sure Tray knows that before he needs to borrow some of those Wallace dollars for tissues ;) )

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Oh, Ian. You act like these words are hurtful. I'm proud of my teams depth and for the first time I won't have to fill in the roster with useless league min guys. Want to know why the Pistons have had a losing mentality? Because I wasn't very good as a GM. I'm not saying I am now, but I see what was needed on my roster and I think I have avoided a long awkward rebuilding process. I knew cashing in my Iverson chip would give me more opportunity to restart faster. Now that I know what is going on and the effort that needs to be invested to succeed, I have rebranded the franchise. My franchise. I got this.

Lets see if GWall has a better chance at division titles and playoff wins now.

Wrap up memo:

Starting 5
PG - Steve Nash
SG - Stephen Jackson
SF - Gerald Walace
PF - Chris Wilcox
C - Chris Kaman

Bench
SG/SF - Kevin Martin
PF/C - Drew Gooden
PG - Jarrett Jack
PF/SF - Ersan Ilyasova
PF - Udonis Haslem
SF - Travis Outlaw

Scoring Options
1. Stephen Jackson
2. Kevin Martin
3. Gerald Wallace

Any further questions?

Hi, J. Felders from SI.com. Sorry I'm late, car broke down and nobody wanted to help. "Motor City" my a..........erm, looking at your lineup, you're putting a lot of pressure on Chris Kaman to be the anchor at the center position. How confident are you in his ability to do so? Are you looking to acquire some help?

Wilcox and Gooden shared time at the 5 last year. They are more than capable to fill in there if needed. I still think that Kaman's ratings and previous production on an incredibly low amount of minutes show he has the potential to breakout. I think the biggest concern on everyone's mind was the unprotected first rounder I gave up to get him. Pistons management realize the investment that we made and both Kaman and the Pistons brass are fully comfortable with that investment.

Whether or not we are mentally deranged will have to be determined at a later date.

And in regards to your car trouble, maybe it's time to replace that early 90s Kia.

Dan LeBatard here for the Miami Herald. You've spent a lot of your time as GM going through the motions and not doing much in the way of appearances and sessions like this. Do you believe that your concentrated effort to be more active has resulted in a more intense desire to build a good team and compete for a championship?

Oh, and Stromile Swift paid me 150 dollars to ask if any of your players get high.

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Originally Posted by The JNR

Dan LeBatard here for the Miami Herald. You've spent a lot of your time as GM going through the motions and not doing much in the way of appearances and sessions like this. Do you believe that your concentrated effort to be more active has resulted in a more intense desire to build a good team and compete for a championship?

Oh, and Stromile Swift paid me 150 dollars to ask if any of your players get high.

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I appreciate the question. I joined the league in the first draft in round 8. Walter McCarty was my only pick on that team in that draft. The rest were simmed. I can't complain too much about it because my team proceeded to make the playoffs that first two years even though I wasn't very active. I spent the next three seasons only focusing on adding pieces to the puzzle. This past year after the Iverson trade I decided that I wanted to build something I could get into. I had seen how much fun everyone else was having with it and knew that I had to put in the effort to make it like that for me. I have probably posted half of my post count here in the past season. I am fully invested in the league now and am having a blast. I was waiting to make a move this off-season and adding Nash, Wallace, Kaman, Jack, and Ilyasova to replace a group of 7 scrubs from 2004's roster has me on cloud 9. Again, I am cautiously optimistic about the coming season since the East is so strong, but I am proud of the Detroit Pistons this year because I decided to be invested in it this year.

SportsGuy: Whoa! Don't take this the wrong way, but I had no idea you've been the GM of the Pistons since the 1st season. I kept hearing all this talk of inactivity and was confused. I thought you took over a season or two ago when you became really active. Again don't take this as an insult it's more of a compliment about recent activity.

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Originally Posted by HornetsFaninKY

SportsGuy: Whoa! Don't take this the wrong way, but I had no idea you've been the GM of the Pistons since the 1st season. I kept hearing all this talk of inactivity and was confused. I thought you took over a season or two ago when you became really active. Again don't take this as an insult it's more of a compliment about recent activity.

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Understandable, I was one of the guys who was riding a depth chart I liked without submitting one weekly or talking on the boards. It was low on my list of priorities but I've dedicated the needed time to it lately. It's been a lot of fun seeing most of the teams be as active as they are and I would be doing the league a disservice to tone it back again in Detroit. I appreciate the compliment though. Better than hearing my name on the chopping block for sure.

Roster rounded out today by adding a few bench players to the team.

Jason Richardson who spent much of last year as the Lakers backup at SG and SF will serve the same role behind the Pistons' holy trinity - Jackson, Wallace, and Martin. Injuries are a common problem in this league and we were very lucky to replace the Jeff Trepagnier role of 'in case s*** happens' with someone of Jason's calibur. I am sure a lot of people would have loved to have him in a bigger role on their team, but these are the additions that generally decide the fate of middle tier teams.

Walter McCarty is also rejoining the Pistons as the 13th man. He is of particular interest to us because of his defensive skills, but seeing as the rest of his game is not very well rounded, he will probably only see spot minutes here and there. He is a capable enough player to slow the bleeding if the injury bug hits us hard.

Also, we were very pleased to see some of our key players improve in the off-season. We will be focusing additional training sessions on Kevin Martin and Chris Kaman's defense. Both saw improvements in the area during the off-season, but we would like to see them put in a little extra sweat to become bigger impacts on that side of the ball. With 60-70 minutes between the two of them, they will need the extra help.

We have seen some positive press lately, but I am trying to keep the team focused on proving it on the floor. We know that the East is extremely tough this year and we would count it a huge accomplishment to not only finish in the playoff picture but also to be looking at a home-court first series. Spirits are high in Detroit.

http://s11.postimg.org/npa6stag3/imp...om_detroit.jpg

Correction: Gerald Wallace is gonna work on Defensive Rebounding.