Detroit Pistons Notes And Quotes 5-23-11
--The sale of the franchise, a saga that has dragged on for a year and a half, should finally be resolved by the beginning of June. Billionaire financier Tom Gores is expected to receive final approval from the league's Board of Governors to purchase the franchise and its assets from current owner Karen Davidson, widow of longtime owner Bill Davidson.
That will give the front office more flexibility to make moves, though it's uncertain whether the Pistons will make a quick change of coaches. John Kuester, who has a year left on his contract, has remained with his family in Pennsylvania since the end of the season. While there is little doubt Kuester will be fired, Gores might not be in any hurry to pay a new coaching staff with a lengthy lockout looming.
--Detroit will be bucking history if it drafts an All-Star talent with the No. 8 pick this June. Even in deeper drafts, many teams have come up empty in that spot. The best player taken at No. 8 in the last two decades is point guard Andre Miller, selected by Cleveland in 1999. Rudy Gay (Houston, 2006) has the talent to be a perennial All-Star while Channing Frye (New York, 2005), Chris Wilcox (L.A. Clippers, 2002) and Jamal Crawford (Cleveland, 2000) have carved out solid if unspectacular careers. But the No. 8 pick also has produced busts like Rafael Araujo (Toronto, 2004) and Joe Alexander (Milwaukee, 2008).
QUOTE TO NOTE
"You want to put your eyes on those guys and see them up close and personal. We watch a ton of film, but there's nothing like putting your eyes on a guy and seeing them up close and personal." -- Team president of basketball operations Joe Dumars on his scouting trip to Europe shortly after the NBA's regular season.
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