Pistons recall Luigi Datome, Spencer Dinwiddie from D-League after Showcase Cup

The Pistons have recalled Luigi Datome and Spencer Dinwiddie from the D-League, the team announced.

Unsurprisingly, the players were with the Grand Rapids Drive for only the Showcase Cup, an event comprised of an in-season tournament and other games that feature every D-League team. The Cup draws plenty of NBA scouts with everyone in one place.

Datome did pretty well, averaging 13.3 points on 6-of-13 3-point shooting and 7.0 rebounds in three games – the most games possible, as the Drive reached the championship game, where they lost to the Bakersfield Jam. He even made All-Showcase honorable mention. I doubt he built much trade value, but at least he showed he can knock down 3s in the right environment after making just 8-of-42 in his NBA career.

Dinwiddie didn’t fare so hot. He shot just 8-of-27, including 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, and he had five turnovers in the finale. He’ll almost certainly get more D-League opportunities as the season progresses.

It’s unclear whether Datome will play again for Grand Rapids or whether the Showcase Cup created a special circumstance, but he did alright in this stint. Still, it wasn’t enough to making a convincing case he belongs in an NBA rotation, which is why he’ll likely continue to sit on Detroit’s bench until his contract runs out. More time in the D-League would be a better alternative, right?

By the way, two Drive players made the All-Showcase first team:

"Lorenzo Brown – Grand Rapids DriveThere was no more steady player at Showcase than Lorenzo Brown. Running the point for the Drive, Brown impressed both with his skillset and his consistency. As much as any other team in Santa Cruz, the Drive were methodical on offense and defense and much of that was in large part due to Brown setting the tone. Over the course of three games, Brown shot 53 percent from the floor and averaged 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists. In a league filled with players trying to transition to the point guard position, Brown looked the most NBA ready."

"Willie Reed – Grand Rapids DriveIt’s not hard to see how the Grand Rapids big man can fit into an NBA lineup. As active as any player in the league, Reed can clog a paint on the defensive end, get to the rim on the offensive end and also excel in transition. That’s exactly what he did in Santa Cruz, accounting for two double-doubles as well as a total of 13 blocks in three games. Reed was a big factor in Grand Rapids advancing to the Showcase Cup Championship and should he get called up, he is the perfect candidate for a team that needs a big to come off the bench and provide a boost of energy in short spurts."