Detroit Piston Links: Steve Smith, Melo Drama, Playoffs?
By Joe Dexter
Apr 2, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) blocks a shot by Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith (6) during the second quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Every Morning, Pistons Palace brings you the reading material you need before you start your day at the office. We bring you the morning’s Palace Picks across the web to get you ready for the day.
It’s Friday and Pistons Palace is thankful that at least the Pistons didn’t draft a tight end last night. If there is a draft and there isn’t a Joel Embiid, Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins, or Gary Harris in it, is there really a draft? The lottery draw for the NBA Draft is upcoming in 11 days. Today, we’ll start breaking down players the Pistons could possibly draft.
Let’s get this Friday party started though with today’s Palace Picks.
We start today on a somber note. It was five years ago today that Piston Nation lost former head coach Chuck Daly, one of the most influential coaches in NBA history. He might not be the greatest X and O guy but the way he got his players to play together is still unprecedented. He sold hard work, discipline and character better than any coach in Pistons history. Rest In Peace Chuck.
On the GM front, the Pistons continue their drawn out process to find suitable candidates. One name that you won’t be seeing is former Michigan State Spartan Steve Smith. A Detroit native and great analyst on NBA TV, Smith tells the Detroit News’ Vincent Goodwill he wants to be in a front office someday, but in Detroit next year.
"“In the right situation, yes,” Smith said of running a team. “But as of right now, I’m happy where I am. The time will come when the right situation pops up and I’ll be ready.”"
Steve Smith is smart and has a bright future in an NBA front office if he so chooses. There is added pressure of starting your career in your hometown. The best move for Smith is to get an opportunity in San Antonio, where he played under head coach Greg Popovich.
Down the road in Chicago the Melo drama is back on it’s high horse. Pippen Ain’t Easy’s Ronald Agers breaks down the drama and warns fans why Carmelo isn’t a good fit for the Bulls.
"Well let me tell you. When things get tough. Carmelo is looking for the easy way out. He is looking for the “LeBron” plan. He is looking to team up with a superstar like LeBron James but does not want to make the adjustments to make the arrangement successful. In Denver, he knew that the team was never going to get past the Los Angeles Lakers or the San Antonio Spurs. In the seven years in Denver, his teams only got out of the first round only once. The whispers started coming out that he could not lead this team to a title so he bailed out."
Despite the success the Bulls have had, it seems like they are just a few moves away from rebuilding. If Tom Thibodeau leaves is this the same team? He has gotten less talent to buy into a team aspect. I love Derrick Rose, but who knows if he will ever be 100 percent. This will be interesting to watch but despite Anthony’s lack of championship attitude, he would add some much needed scoring to the Bulls.
And finally, Keith Langlois at touches on an interesting subject on Pistons.com. From lottery to playoffs, can the Pistons make the jump? Langlois believes it all depends on who takes over the organization.
"I’d argue that the Pistons are starting from a place at least the equal of Washington a year ago and ahead of both Toronto and Charlotte at that time. That doesn’t mean the Pistons can assume a similar leap forward. It’ll take the same combination of shrewd moves and good fortune that found those franchises. And, at least for the first half of the equation, that will fall to the new chief basketball executive currently being sought."
29 wins to the playoffs? Crazier things have happened.