Alot of posters have talked about their concern with the lack of size on the frontcourt; a understandable issue when glancing at the Pistons roster and id like to address the issue from a different perspective. The argument has usually gone along the lines of (insert player) is only (insert seemingly short height for position) without shoes or with shoes. Its been said already that these guys dont play without shoes so the latter is a mute argument IMO. But id like to take a look at these guys true height to make an argument here.
Well to get an idea of how a player stacks up vertically you have to look at a guys standing reach or basically a combination of height and wingspand. This is basically how close to the basket a guy is without leaving the ground. Here is a list of all of our frontcourt players standing reach as opposed to just their heights or just their wingspans.
Austin Daye - 9'2 Charlie Villanueva - 9'1 Kwame Brown - 9'0 Chris Wilcox - 8'11.5 Jason Maxiell - 8'11 DaJuan Summers - 8'10.5
I couldnt find Jerebko or Prices standing reach numbers although I bet Prince has the tallest # on the team and Jerebko is probably somewhere around Summers. But as you can see those are some impressive numbers for a "undersized" frontcourt. Also consider these guys are all young and for the most part its a pretty athletic active group. I also would expect to see in many situations 3 of these guys on the court at the same time with Joe D going to the bigger skilled SF.
Of course you have to take into consideration sheer gurth and size and we still stack up alright. Brown, Maxiell. Wilcox and Summers are all fairly physical players.
Taking all of these factors into consideration i am not too worried about being an undersized team. Most teams in the NBA dont have a true center like Shaq or Howard anyways and id much rather be long and athletic on the court than try and throw out some gumpy 7 footers at those guys.
Deeetroit Baaasketball!!!
Posts: 287 | Location: Lansing, MI | Registered: June 28, 2005
Jerebko is a legit 6'10" or even said to be "slightly better than 6'10" " by Scott Perry, our VP, when Jonas worked out for the Pistons.
If u've seen him played in Vegas Summer League, u'll realize he is actually quite long, and something arround 2 inches taller than Summers. I think he has the same standing reach as Wilcox, another 6'10"er.
This roster is not THAT "short" actually. 2 centers averaged 6'10.5" is okay.......its the weight that matters. Daye, Jerebko n Wilcox are relatively light for their positions. Wilcox, i dunno why.........seems to have a very strong upper body but only 235lbs?? And a lanky kid in channing Frye is 245lbs? Is Wilcox's info outdated?
References:
quote:
Jerebko, who is measured in slightly better than 6'10" when he worked out for the Pistons(see Versatile forwards up Pistons’ athleticism from Keith Langlois http://www.nba.com/pistons/new...epistons.html#090626 )
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But Jerebko really might not be that far away. He’s 22 and has a pretty well developed frame at 220 pounds. He’s also thought to be a more physical player than the typical European. And the one thing that’s said consistently about him is he’s a surprisingly good athlete. His father is an American citizen who played college basketball here and then settled in Sweden, where he played professionally, so he’s probably a little more Americanized than most Euros.
Pistons VP Scott Perry said when Jerebko worked out for the Pistons, he measured in at slightly better than 6-foot-10 and his athleticism stood out.
Rookie Jonas Jerebko has played small forward the past three seasons overseas. Thus far in summer league he's been getting his minutes at center.
"I just want to get him some minutes," Walker said. "He's a four-five (power forward-center) more than a three-four (small forward-power forward) as far as I'm concerned. I just want to put him out there and he's played well.
"He can run and obviously he can finish. He reminds me of (New York Knicks forward) David Lee a little bit."
Jerebko is 6-foot-10 and he does like to fight inside. Playing against 7-foot Patrick O'Bryant Saturday, he had 12 points, seven rebounds and eight fouls (10 is the limit in summer league). More impressively, O'Bryant was relatively quiet (10 points, 3 for 9, 10 rebounds, six fouls and five turnovers.
"I've never done it before (play center), so it's a new experience," Jerebko said. "It's physical but I like it. I don't like to play the five, but to get minutes, I will do it."
Jerebko didn’t shoot particulary well, going 5 of 14, and his misses visibly frustrated him, but he battled NBA veteran 7-footer Patrick O’ Bryant and held his own in the post as Walker, in an effort to give all three extended minutes, had Jerebko – who has played small forward all of his life – playing center.
“He’s more of a four/five than a three/four, I think,” said Walker, who compared the 6-foot-10 Jerebko to New York Knicks forward David Lee. Jerebko finished with 12 points, seven boards and three steals. Over his three days, Jerebko has shown a knack for getting his hands on loose balls and keen instincts for knifing into passing lanes. He also uncorked a running hook shot across the lane that looked good but bounced off the rim.
“It’s different, playing the five,” Jerebko said, “but whatever it takes to get minutes is OK. It’s physical. I like it. I guess I did OK against (O’Bryant).”
Jonas Jerebko (born March 2, 1987 in Borås, Sweden) is a Swedish professional basketball player. He is 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) tall in shoes and he weighs 232 pounds (105 kg).t the power forward position. He was selected in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, becoming the first Swedish basketball player to be selected in the NBA Draft.
---------------------------------------------- “America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.” - Oscar Wilde
Size and Height on the Frontcourt is still an issue. I know we got a little taller with the draft, CV, & CW. But don't think that should stop us from including Max in a trade to get bigger, or trying to get Nesterovich for the vet min.
Looking at the roster Jerebko is listed at 6'-8"/231. I was under the impression he was taller like 6-10. If he only is 6'-8" size is a problem and we need to get bigger. At least he can play SF too. We have Kwame, CV, & CW with size and the rest of the front court is mainly SFs.
Originally posted by chex: Kwame is our only banger. Not exactly ideal.
But the length and skillset at the 3 and 4 is a nice commodity.
Daye is longer than Prince. I believe I read Tay was at 9'0.5" standing.
Max needs to develop a back to the basket game to utilize his strength. Put backs and jumpers can only get us so far.
tru
See, I dont agree with that at all. If anyone played with a some heart and intensity in that Cleveland series it was Kwame Brown. He didnt let Lebron dance to the hole, he fouled hard. If we can get a good 4 man rotation in the frontcourt, Kwame can bang all he wants for 20 minutes a game. Note it is a contract year for Kwame Brown...
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...And in this land of conditions I'm not above suspicion I won't attack you, But I won't back you.
Posts: 359 | Location: Keweenaw | Registered: January 17, 2009
Leslie (Hong Kong): How tall exactly is Jonas Jerebko. From True Blue Pistons, you said he was said to be “slightly better than 6-foot-10” according to Scott Perry. Am I right?
Langlois: When Jerebko worked out for the Pistons before the draft, he measured in at a little over 6-foot-10 in shoes. That appears to be about right. DaJuan Summers measured in at 6-foot-8½ in shoes at the Chicago predraft camp, and Jerebko did look to be close to 2 inches taller than Summers when they stood near each other in Las Vegas. Jerebko has said he’s played small forward all his life, but he certainly appeared to have the physical tools to man the power forward position in the NBA. And since there really aren’t more than a dozen or so players in the league considered true centers who are also proficient low-post scorers, the Pistons could get away with playing Jerebko at center, perhaps, someday and in select matchups. As for the issue of exact heights, fans are far more obsessed than teams. The only really accurate gauge of a player’s height comes during the draft process when teams measure them with and without shoes. I can’t begin to tell you how many questions I took over the last few years wanting to know how tall Amir Johnson was. The Pistons never really knew. Amir Johnson said he was up to 6-foot-11. When we mentioned that to Flip Saunders once, he looked over his shoulder at Johnson and said, “I know 6-11. That ain’t 6-11.”
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Ben (San Diego): Do you think Wilcox has the size to play center? Jerebko is also 6-foot-10 and been compared to David Lee. Will he be our third center?
Langlois: Right now, the Pistons have at least three players who can defend the post – Kwame Brown, Jason Maxiell and Wilcox. Charlie Villanueva could make it four. I haven’t studied him enough defensively yet to have a great feel for it, but he’s certainly got the length to contest shots in the post. I would expect the fifth big man Joe Dumars looks to acquire to have the ability to defend the post, as well. Jerebko did a nice job in Las Vegas even when he was matched with 7-footers with NBA backgrounds like Patrick O’Bryant and Jamaal Sampson.
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Grant (Los Angeles): How do you rate Chris Wilcox? Do you think he can do well at center? He looks tall but if he really is 235 pounds, isn’t that a bit light for a center?
Langlois: I’m distrustful of weight listings. I think teams list whatever the player tells them to list, even if they keep accurate readings for their own purposes. I don’t know what Wilcox’s true weight is, but seeing him in person, as I did on Wednesday, tells you he’s definitely got an NBA body. And working with Arnie Kander should benefit him, as it does most players, in adding functional strength without necessarily adding bulk. There aren’t many NBA centers who’ll physically overwhelm Wilcox.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kirsten19,
---------------------------------------------- “America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.” - Oscar Wilde
In fact, he is listed more at 6-10 than at 6-8. The Pistons roster in the official website has some outdated info. AMir was always listed at 6-9 in that roster page. But we all know he is arround 6-10 or even slightly better
---------------------------------------------- “America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.” - Oscar Wilde
Our length is good, maybe we should consider playing more zone defense.
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Maxiell said he has developed a trick to help him slow down and focus at the line. "It's all mental, it's always been mental," he said. "I just say 'Happy Gilmore' and try to go to my happy place. I think of my happy place, picture my girl and shoot."
Posts: 1901 | Location: Meeesheeeegiiiiiinnn | Registered: December 14, 2002
I know this has already been suggested a million time but I am gonna tweak it a little bit.
Prince and Washington
for
Przybilla, Outlaw, and Fernandez.
This would free up more minutes for Daye and Summers and I think Joel P would match up well with CV as the rebounding, shot blocking big to the outside game that Charlie has. Plus he is only a 2 year investment and his contract would be a nice trade chip next year. And then when we eventually trade Rip we have a very good back up 2 who can shoot pretty decent from the 3 point line.
Outlaw is just more of a stop-gap until Daye is ready. (or Summers)
Originally posted by The Ostrich: I know this has already been suggested a million time but I am gonna tweak it a little bit.
Prince and Washington
for
Przybilla, Outlaw, and Fernandez.
This would free up more minutes for Daye and Summers and I think Joel P would match up well with CV as the rebounding, shot blocking big to the outside game that Charlie has. Plus he is only a 2 year investment and his contract would be a nice trade chip next year. And then when we eventually trade Rip we have a very good back up 2 who can shoot pretty decent from the 3 point line.
Outlaw is just more of a stop-gap until Daye is ready. (or Summers)
Max for Przybilla then you don't need to give up Prince and we get a C.
The Pistons walked away on draft night with three players Joe Dumars refers to as “hybrid” forwards – capable of playing either spot – but when all three showed up in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League, the coaches had to decide where Jonas Jerebko, Austin Daye and DaJuan Summers would line up and which positions they would guard.
Daye spent most of his minutes over five Summer League games at small forward and Summers most of his at power forward. Jerebko, after getting late clearance to join the team by basketball’s international governing body, FIBA, initially was backing up Summers at power forward.
But after getting Jerebko up to speed, and with Dumars and his staff and coaches eager to get long looks at all three 2009 draftees since all are ticketed for the 15-man roster, the Pistons moved Jerebko into the starting lineup – at center, flanked by Summers and Daye. That took a little getting used to for Jerebko, who has played small forward for nearly all of his life, including this year in the Italian pro league.
But over the course of his time in Las Vegas, Jerebko left an impression for his athleticism, fearlessness and hustle, and the Pistons came back more convinced than ever that the 6-foot-10 Swede – whose father, Chris, played at Syracuse for Jim Boeheim before a professional career in Sweden, where he met his wife and chose to live – had a bright NBA future.
“A lot of times you have guys who are categorized as energy guys who may not be skilled,” Pistons vice president Scott Perry said. “But Jonas has skills. At that four position, he can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. He showed an ability to use both his left and right hands around the basket. From that mid-range on in, he’s effective at shooting the basketball.”
In separate conversations, assistant coaches Darrell Walker and Pat Sullivan compared Jerebko’s athleticism and energy to Knicks power forward David Lee, a former McDonald’s All-American slam dunk champion.
“I think the reason they’re comparing him to David Lee is because he’s so comfortable competing around the basket in terms of keeping balls alive and rebounding,” Pistons personnel director George David said. “What he’s able to do a lot of times is turn a subpar game or average game he’s having into a solid game. If he’s struggling with his shot, he might keep a couple of balls alive or get three, four, five rebounds. He’s very comfortable playing physical, aggressive, playing around the basket.”
Jerebko, projected to go late in the first round but surprisingly – shockingly, to the Pistons – still available with the second of their second-round picks at 39, averaged 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in 28 minutes a game. But throw out the first game – in which he scored two points and had three rebounds in 13 minutes just 24 hours after getting FIBA clearance and with not even one full practice under his belt – and the numbers jump to 15 and seven.
While his jump shot didn’t fall as he might have liked, Jerebko still shot .458 by being active inside and aggressive at the basket. The mechanics of his jumper are sound and he shoots the ball from 3-point range effortlessly. He revealed an effective head fake that frequently got his defender to leave his feet and kept his dribble alive consistently, finding ways to get inside. Jerebko, unlike most young players, also was comfortable finishing at the rim while absorbing contact. And while unaccustomed to defending the post, he held his own even against 7-footers with NBA resumes like David Harrison, Patrick O’Bryant and Jamal Sampson.
“You can’t discount the fact that he’s played professionally over in Europe for the last couple of years and he’s come across some older guys, and he played a lot of minutes this year over there,” Perry said. “It’s not surprising he would have developed some subtleties to his game like head fakes and things he’s learned that worked for him in his game.”
Jerebko was listed variously at 6-foot-8 and 6-foot-9 in profiles of him preceding the draft, but when he worked out for the Pistons he measured in at slightly above 6-foot-10 in shoes. And, Perry said, he ranked either first or second among the 50-plus players the Pistons brought to Auburn Hills for predraft workouts in strength coach Arnie Kander’s battery of physical tests that include many agility and flexibility drills.
“When he worked out here, we got a really good snapshot of (Jerebko’s athleticism),” Perry said. “That was one of the things that just stood out – how athletic he was. You see it on tape, and our guys who watched him overseas – George and Tony (Ronzone, director of basketball operations) – had seen it. Then he tested so well with Arnie.
“But that was a two-on-two workout he had with us, so to see that translate to the five-on-five … you could see his willingness to stick his nose into traffic and get to tough loose balls or at least pursue them. He showed a great willingness to do that and that was very encouraging to see.”
And that might be Jerebko’s quickest ticket to NBA playing time – the sort of infectious relentlessness that rouses a crowd and lifts the level of teammates’ play.
“What I probably came away most impressed with, and I’m sure the staff would concur with this,” Perry said, “is you got 100 percent effort and energy out of him every time he stepped on to the court. When you see that in a player, that’s a very positive thing. It’s something he can build on as an individual and it’s something that ultimately will help your ballclub.”
---------------------------------------------- “America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.” - Oscar Wilde
The Pistons don't lack height... they lack SIZE. All these guys are skin and bones. I don't care how big someones wing span is if they can't box anyone out.
Posts: 2568 | Location: Bay City, Mi | Registered: December 13, 2002
Brian (Detroit): Who do you think will be the starting center – Wilcox or Brown? I prefer Wilcox, but looking at his measurements – 6-foot-10, 235 pounds – isn’t that too light?
Langlois: Take official NBA measurements, weights especially, with a huge grain of salt. Wilcox has been listed at 235 for years. Seeing him in person a few weeks ago after he signed with the Pistons, he’s thick and solid through the upper body. He’s not quite as bulky or tall as Kwame Brown, but it’s close enough. Only a few centers are going to have a significant size/strength edge on Wilcox – and they’re the usual suspects who have the same edge on 90 percent of the league’s big men.
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Martin (Burlington, Ontario): The Pistons’ Web site lists Jonas Jerebko as 6-foot-8 while I read multiple articles, including on Pistons.com, that states Jonas at 6-foot-10. Which is it?
Langlois: When Jerebko worked out for the Pistons, he measured in at slightly better than 6-foot-10 in shoes. He looked all of that during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where the Pistons played him at center so they could get good looks at all three of Jerebko, Austin Daye and DaJuan Summers. The roster on Pistons.com – and on the Web sites of all NBA teams, for that matter – are under the auspices of the NBA and NBA.com. When there are changes to be made, teams request them of NBA.com. We did request Jerebko’s height be changed and it was as of Wednesday.
---------------------------------------------- “America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.” - Oscar Wilde
I would like to see a trade for Samuel Dalembert. He would be the starting center and would probably fit in very well. He is a better rebounder & shot blocker than Kwame. Plus he can score around the basket and is far better at free throws. Pistons could give up Kwame & Maxy in a 3 team trade and get back a player who is better than both of them. It would be a way to improve the team that is already better than last season.
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