Detroit Pistons

NEW YORK – Andre Drummond didn’t respond directly to my question about what he hoped to get from training with Hakeem Olajuwon this summer. “What?” Drummond gasped. I wasn’t sure whether he heard me. He was, after all, walking from the Millennium Broadway Hotel to Times Square Studios for the lottery while we talked. But he also might have seen the question as dumb. After all, why train with Olajuwon for reasons other than refining post moves? I repeat the question with an implied, “You know, specifically.” “Obviously, get a better offensive set and use my quick speed and my feet to my advantage,” Drummond said. I still have much of the same skepticism about how much Olajuwon will help Drummond, but I’m becoming more optimistic. Drummond moves extremely well for his size, and and even if Olajuwon doesn’t turn Drummond into a great, or even good, post player, better footwork could help in a lot of ways. Just as when the news broke, I remain impressed with Drummond’s initiative, especially once he confirmed the Pistons didn’t urge him to approach Olajuwon. “It was my idea to look and seek him out,” Drummond said. “I’m glad that he accepted the offer and wanted to work with me when the time’s right.”

NEW YORK –  Andre Drummond got screwed in All-Rookie voting. Lawrence Frank screwed him by not playing him more. And the voters screwed him by not realizing, even in limited minutes, Drummond still contributed more overall than some of the players who made the All-Rookie first team. But don’t bother talking to Drummond about making the second team instead. “I’m not worried about first and second,” Drummond said. “I’m just worried about winning games. “I’m just not worried about all the extra stuff. I’m worried about basketball games and trying to get to the playoffs.”

Burke says he's not yet sure what teams he'll work out for prior to the NBA draft.

Keith Langlois of Pistons.com: Hearing both @M10OSE and @DRE_DRUMMOND_ have been invited to USA Basketball’s summer minicamp in Vegas. First of all, this is a nice honor for Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. They’re two of America’s most promising young big men, and they deserve a chance to show their skills in this environment. Let’s put a little context into this. At this point in the cycle before the 2012 Olympics, USA Basketball invited 25 players to its July 2009 minicamp. Here’s how USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo described the camp: While we look to continue to build continuity within the USA national team program and continue to improve, in 2009 we will get a look at some of the top young NBA players who haven’t been involved in USA Basketball at the top national program level previously.   Although some of these players have represented USA Basketball in the past, this is their opportunity to be considered for the next generation of players who will help make up the USA Basketball National program. Just four of the 25 players at the camp – Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook – made the 2012 Olympic team. Other players there included D.J. Augustin, Jerryd Bayless and Ronnie Brewer. So, this isn’t necessarily a path to stardom. But, at this point, the invitations are well-deserved positive recognition for Monroe and Drummond.

Burke wouldn't mind falling to the Pistons at No. 8. "Absolutely, that would be great," he said. "To be able to play for the Pistons, right there in Michigan where I've already played for the Michigan Wolverines, that would be wonderful and I would be looking forward to it." Source So yeah, I haven't posted here in like a year due to some health issues and work stuff, but after seeing that today I had to share it. Is there any way we can move up just a few slots to ensure we get him? I really try to take notice when players make comments about where they want to go, I think they play better when it's a team they want to be on. I think everyone remembers the look of disappointment when Brandon Knight heard his name called on his draft night. I am positive everyone remembers how happy Andre looked on his. The only other player I've heard mention wanting to go to Detroit was Shabazz, due to his friendship with Drummond from playing ball together in the past. I've read several things about Oladipo saying he wanted Portland to trade up for him...weird. Anyway, what do you think we could do to get in there? Or if the Cavs are really shopping that first pick like the rumors say, is there anything we could give them without crippling our starting front court (everyone else is free game in my opinion)? If not them, for some reason I suspect Orlando might be down, after the package they accepted for Howard, I find them to be a bit unpredictable. I'd much rather take a risk on someone who WANTS to be in a Detroit uniform, I know that. Plus I just fucking love Trey Burke and think he's going to be an awesome pro. Sorry if this has already been covered, I'm in Dubai in and out of medical treatment (which wasn't helped by falling in the draft!) so I still miss a few articles people post I am sure. Burke wouldn't mind falling to the Pistons at No. 8. "Absolutely, that would be great," he said. "To be able to play for the Pistons, right there in Michigan where I've already played for the Michigan Wolverines, that would be wonderful and I would be looking forward to it." Source So yeah, I haven't posted here in like a year due to some health issues and work stuff, but after seeing that today I had to share it. Is there any way we can move up just a few slots to ensure we get him? I really try to take notice when players make comments about where they want to go, I think they play better when it's a team they want to be on. I think everyone remembers the look of disappointment when Brandon Knight heard his name called on his draft night. I am positive everyone remembers how happy Andre looked on his. The only other player I've heard mention wanting to go to Detroit was Shabazz, due to his friendship with Drummond from playing ball together in the past. I've read several things about Oladipo saying he wanted Portland to trade up for him...weird. Anyway, what do you think we could do to get in there? Or if the Cavs are really shopping that first pick like the rumors say, is there anything we could give them without crippling our starting front court (everyone else is free game in my opinion)? If not them, for some reason I suspect Orlando might be down, after the package they accepted for Howard, I find them to be a bit unpredictable. I'd much rather take a risk on someone who WANTS to be in a Detroit uniform, I know that. Plus I just fucking love Trey Burke and think he's going to be an awesome pro. Sorry if this has already been covered, I'm in Dubai in and out of medical treatment (which wasn't helped by falling in the draft!) so I still miss a few articles people post I am sure.

Chris Broussard on the Pistons’ coaching vacancy: If Jackson has his way, the prevailing thought around the league is that his protégé Brian Shaw will wind up with the job. On the other hand, sources say Dumars’ top two choices are Nate McMillan and Maurice Cheeks. Dumars also was hoping to make his hire before last week’s NBA draft combine in Chicago, the sources indicated. Considering the Pistons have yet to interview Shaw and are done interviewing new candidates, it seems unlikely Phil Jackson gets his way. Will Joe Dumars get his? He preferred Mike Woodson last time, and Tom Gores overruled him to hire Lawrence Frank. Gores’ late-season statements coupled with his hiring of Jackson has opened plenty of question about Dumars’ status. The coaching hire should tell us plenty about how much power Dumars still holds. 

Local on-air personality Ryan Field announced Wednesday that he is leaving FSD after officially accepting an anchor position for FOX Sports 1, a new sports network launching Aug. 17.

Burke says he's not sure where he'll be drafted, but he still says playing for the Pistons would be a big honor.

Chris Broussard empties the notebook and examines a potential power play by Phil Jackson in Detroit as summer coaching rumors start to stir in Brooklyn and Los Angeles.

COLUMN: Nate McMillan was the leading candidate at the beginning of the search and remains viable late, while the odd-couple mix of Joe Dumars and Phil Jackson holds intrigue as the process nears its end.