Picking higher then they have in 12 years, we have the Detroit
Pistons with their net GM:

    Eric Iverson

The Pistons use the third pick to select: Grant Hill, SF, 6-8. Duke. ================================================================= TEAM NEEDS/HISTORY: Fourteen years ago the Pistons had what was then their second- worst series of all time (21-62) and found themselves with the second pick in the draft, right behind the Dallas Mavericks. Thanks to Isiah's refusal to wear a cowboy hat, the Mavs passed on Zeke and picked Mark Aguirre. Thus began the Pistons greatest run, culminating in 5 trips to the conference finals, 3 trips to the NBA finals, and 2 championships. Fourteen years later, the Pistons have once again had their second-worse season (20-62) and once again they have a high pick in the draft (3rd), right behind the Dallas Mavericks. Needs: In a word, "size." Pistons need some big men. Having picked 2 guards in last years draft, the Pistons are in desperate need of frontcourt help. There is no way only one player can turn the Pistons into winners. It will take a good pick in the draft and a couple good free agents to start with. Don't be surprised to see a trade in the real draft for a slightly lower pick along with some future first-rounders. The Pistons are a very young team that showed signs of gelling late in the season, but that mini-run was quashed by injuries to Joe & Isiah, and the desire to get this nightmare season over as soon as possible. Center: This is simple--Pistons don't have one! Laimbeer was the next best thing this season, and he retired after 11, count 'em--11 games. Bill was big enough to counter most big men in the league. Before he left, Pistons looked to be a .500 team. After Bill's departure, Pistons won no games against teams with dominating big men. Olden Polynice may have looked like a center, but he played no D. Prior to his trade, he sat out about 10 games, and the Pistons played just as poorly, if not slightly better, without him. Greg "Cadillac" Anderson picked a good time to start playing better, going from 2.9 ppg and 2.9 rpg in the first 26 games to 6.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg by season's end. He can block a few and can shoot a few in close with accuracy, but he's a decent backup F/C at best. Power Forward: If Terry Mills continues to improve as he has for the past 3 years he will be a legitimate star, and no longer the Pistons best underrated player. Terry deliberately took on some of the "enforcer" role left vacant by Bill Laimbeer, and became one of the league leaders in personal fouls in the process. Terry can post up or shoot a nice jumper with 3-pt range. Many teams have found they must double-team him inside. David Wood is a scrapper, and I hope He'll be back next season. Small Forward: Sean Elliott needs to play with a big man. He claimed Laimbeer was the only one on the Pistons who knew when to get him the ball--in transition. His game went from tenuous to crappy after Bill's retirement, with enough improvement in the last 2 months of the season to justify bringing him back, but at what cost? If the Pistons end up with a big man, and I mean David Robinson sized, then they should re sign Sean, otherwise they should use his salary to sign a talented and more physical forward. Shooting Guard: at last a position where the Pistons are solid. Joe Dumars turns 31 today (Happy Birthday, Joe!) and showed only the slightest signs of slowing down due to age and injuries. He will be on the of best SGs in the game and a major contributor for another 2 years. Rookie Allan Houston didn't get a lot of time as backup SG/F but he did show improvement in the way of limiting his sloppy rookie mistakes and some strong moves to the basket. He'll pay great dividends down the road. Point Guard: Isiah Thomas. He was a winner. A man who could push his teammates to to be their best. But with diminished skills, the best legacy he can leave for his successor might be a truckload of game tapes from his first 10 years. He will be missed. Rookie Lindsey Hunter has all the quicks and moves that Isiah ever had, but to expect him to be another Isiah is unfair to him and unrealistic. Hunter was the only Piston to play all 82 games, and he shined when he started--something that happened much more often than expected due mostly to Isiah missing 24 games. If Hunter can improve his FG% and think a little less like a shooting guard, the Pistons could have the next Kenny Anderson on their hands. My Selection: From Duke, 6'8" G/F Grant Hill. He have some of the requisite size the Pistons need, but most of all he has talent and he is a winner. Others considered: Juwan Howard, F, Michigan, and Donyell Marshall, F, Conn. As good as Howard is, the talent level drops too low after Hill. Who the team will probably take: Grant Hill, unless Dallas takes him (a possibility I'd rather not discuss). Other Moves: Trade Hill for Howard and some future picks. The hometown crowd would like that. As much as I'd love a talent like Elliott to help the bench, he's some of the best trade bait the Pistons have, and he won't be needed with Hill around. Pistons management are talking about trading up, but I don't believe it. Pistons will have the money to sign a few good free agents. Of the players not mentioned above, Jones, Chilcutt, Liberty, and Macon, only Guard Mark Macon is likely to return. ==================================================================


Craig Simpson - Usenet Draft Commissioner