http://www.realgm.com/src_wire...es_deron_washington/

I'm frustrated, I really thought he had a future with us. I hope we didn't give up on him too soon. I don't like this move at all...

He seemed pretty quiet during the preseason. Maybe he sucks but has alot of energy?

I'd rather the Pistons had kept him than Chucky Atkins, but it's not like it's something horrible. He's a career journeyman 12th man on the bench or inactive. 6'7 athletic swingmen aren't hard to come by. He's just like James White or Rodney Carney, with even less skill than those two.

But I did like his energy and athleticism, so good luck to him.

I just think that he could have been used this season. He was probably our best perimeter defender, or at least could develop into that. We are even weaker from a defensive standpoint on the perimeter now...

I thought he was so bad I couldn't believe he was even getting legitimate Pt on our Vegas squad. When people on here and in the media were acting like he might be some kind of defensive stopper for us and could fill an Afflalo type role I thought I had entered the Twilight Zone.

I could care less. He showed me nothing special.

quote:

Originally posted by LukaszPut30:
I just think that he could have been used this season. He was probably our best perimeter defender, or at least could develop into that. We are even weaker from a defensive standpoint on the perimeter now...

Athleticism doesn't always equate to great defense. See Amir Johnson. Defense is more than being able to jump high and being quick. Getting blocks and steals if you forsake defensive position and put your teammates out to hang because you're going for blocks and steals can often be worse than someone who isn't ultra athletic but keeps his defensive position and plays solid team defense.

It's not really a loss. Really, it's not.

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Jam:

quote:

Originally posted by LukaszPut30:
I just think that he could have been used this season. He was probably our best perimeter defender, or at least could develop into that. We are even weaker from a defensive standpoint on the perimeter now...

Athleticism doesn't always equate to great defense. See Amir Johnson. Defense is more than being able to jump high and being quick. Getting blocks and steals if you forsake defensive position and put your teammates out to hang because you're going for blocks and steals can often be worse than someone who isn't ultra athletic but keeps his defensive position and plays solid team defense.

It's not really a loss. Really, it's not.

I understand what you are saying, the point is this was a no-risk type situation. Low salary, good effort guy, just with not very polished skills. He could be cut at any point of the season if there really was a need. My guess is that him and Joe had a conversation to where he was goin to play this season. DW had a choice of staying with the Pistons, most likely getting sent down to the D-League or pushing his luck elsewhere. Kind of reminds me of the Ronald Dupree situation we had in the past...

Saying now that he's a low risk type of player who can be cut at any point in the season isn't the same thing as suggesting he could have been used this season and that he was probably our best perimeter defender.

If you are of the former opinion, then his being waived is as I suggested and is not a big loss at all. It's the fact that you initially suggested the latter that I was responded to you in the first place.

Joe probably decided that Deron would only be used at SG, and he was loaded there with RIP, Ben and Rodney. He may think there's more of a need for another PG.

Marcus Williams, another U Conn guard, was just waived by Dallas. I'd rather see him, a 24 year old PG, at the end of the bench than Chucky Atkins. Marcus is an excellent passer, and will improve. Atkins won't.

Hopefully, Joe's watching the waiver wire looking for the 5th guard for the 14th roster spot.

No, Marcus Williams the point guard is on Memphis. Marcus Williams....the kid from Arizona, was waived by San Antonio.

Dangit! I liked him and was looking forward to seeing what he would turn into. I was liking him more than Dejuan Summers during our preseason.

quote:

Superstar
Posted October 26, 2009 03:17 PM Hide Post
No, Marcus Williams the point guard is on Memphis. Marcus Williams....the kid from Arizona, was waived by San Antonio.

______________________

Thanks for the correction. I still think someone younger, with more upside than Atkins will become available.

can joe waive himself next?

like we dont already have 4 small forwards on the roster

First, I am glad to see Washington go since he was a non factor and not a leader.

As far as Chucky goes, he is a vocal leader, so the big question is will he say the right things to Stucky and Bynum.

quote:

Originally posted by Voice of Reason:
like we dont already have 4 small forwards on the roster

quote:

True Blue Pistons
Kuester said the decision to cut ties to Washington, who had exhibited a much-improved jump shot over last summer and was 3 for 3 from the 3-point arc in the preseason, wasn’t reached easily.
“Personally, I would have loved to see us keep him,” he said. “He’s got a bright future in basketball. I saw him in the beginning of the summer continually improve with some of the hard work our assistant coaches did with him. You never want to see somebody go, but it’s part of our business.”

If they liked him that much, they could have kept him with the 15th roster spot. His signing would not have put them near the luxury tax.

<----- Still wondering why he was signed in the first place.

I mean...

Joe Dumars is starting to look like an absolute bone-head. I'm not talking about waiving him. I'm talking about signing him to begin with. He traded away Aaron Afflalo, Budinger, and Amir. All of those players could have helped a young team. I know Amir more then likely played into the Ben signing which I'm all for. But Afflalo and Budinger were essentially moved for Deron Washington.

Chucky Atkins is a waste of a roster spot. More of a waste than Deron Washington was.

I'm really questioning the decision making here. I'm questioning our head coach too. I read an article earlier in the paper that quoted Q as saying "When Rodney zeros in on an offender, he can be one of the best defenders in the league" Or something to that effect.

That's just insane.

Chucky is not a floor leader. He's a career role player, and I doubt he'll gain the respect of our players like Ben will.

I don't think Budinger was ever even a Pistons pick. I'm thinking Houston basically bought that pick from Detroit or were about to get the deal done and asked Detroit to draft Budinger for them. Budinger may very well end up being a player in the league. He was a nice second round pick.

And Afflalo was a good, quiet kid who worked hard.

But, let's be real. Including Deron Washington, where would any of those guys get playing time? Shooting guard is stacked especially with Stuckey looking to get some minutes there. Prince, Daye, and Summers AND Rip and/or Stuckey will end up getting minutes at the small forward position in the three-guard line-ups. Not to mention, both Jerebko and Villanueva could slide down and play the 3.

How would any of those wing players help this young team when they wouldn't see any court time. The only time they'd help would be as insurance if one of the main perimeter guys were out for an extended time or in the final seconds of the first, second, or third quarters of games where the coaching staff is trying to avoid one of the main guys picking up a foul.

And, again, we don't know what went down. It could very well be the case that Deron Washington asked to be let go so he could hook up with another team, NBA or otherwise.

I don't see why there's such lament over this.