This is the first of a three-part look at each of Detroit's three 2008 draft selections.
I have to be honest. I am still scratching my head, but have faith in Joe Dumars. He has his way of doing things and they have been effective thus far during his tenure at the helm of the Detroit Pistons.
The draft went from excitable to "huh?" in a heartbeat. The rumors had been that Detroit had their eye on D.J. White, a power presence down low from Indiana. Everything seemed to work according to plan as he was there at #29 and Dumars nabbed him. Sounded like just what the doctor ordered.
Many fans, including myself, we taken by surprise to see Dumars trade him so quickly to Seattle for two second round selections. Was money a factor? Could be, but with a rookie salary slot, it wouldn't seem so.
Dumars knows talented players and with second round picks, there are no guarantees and no guaranteed money. And with the D-League and a roster full of young players already, maybe this was the way to go. So who is who and new at The Palace? First up is Walter Sharpe.
No. 32: Walter Sharpe, 6-9, 245-pound forward, Alabama-Birmingham.
Many downgraded Sharpe due to a shady past and a "lazy" presence. Diagnosed with narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder that led to tardiness to team functions and academic shortcomings, Sharpe now takes medication that he says turned his life around.
"It's definitely behind me," Sharpe boasts. "My worst days are behind me and my best days ahead of me. Nobody thought I had narcolepsy. People thought I was just lazy and slept a lot."
And while some have compared his game to Laker forward Lamar Odom, it is unknown at this time if Sharpe will make the club out of camp of spend some time at Fort Wayne of the D-League.
He will have to prove that an arrest at a club with four other UAB players was a case of poor judgment, and not a character issue that will continue. Though he says he was sticking up for team mates, he knows he should have known better. He is working on being a better man, and player.
"I can't completely blame it on narcolepsy," Sharpe admits. "I'd just say that some things I could have done better."
"I like to put the ball on the floor," Sharpe points out. "I'm not scared to dribble or shoot it from anywhere. I like to pass the ball. I like to do everything on the court that you can do on offense. Maybe by looking at me or reading my stat line, you might not notice that, but in due time, you'll see."
Trusting Joe Dumars has been easy, and this draft will test that loyalty, but the summer league should be fun to watch as these players get their first tests.
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3 months ago
Yeah Mick,
When Dumars traded White, I wasn't concerned because the Pistons don't need that type of player. They've got a more athletic version in Maxiell. However, I was thinking that they might be looking at Douglas-Roberts, the true leader of the Memphis team that made the NCAA finals (and the final four MVP, not Rose). Plus, he was a Detroit kid. I also thought that they might be interested in KSU's Bill Walker who could definately help them. So when the trade happened I was pumped, figuring that Joey D had once again mastered the draft. Then they picked Sharpe and I was confused. Obviously, JD was looking to improve the three spot so that Tay can get off the court every now and then, and Sharpe has all the attributes that could make him successful. But, he's completely unproven. Dumars is the only one that seems to have scouted him much, and seems to like what he see's. I guess we just have to trust that he knows what he's doing. He has been superb with his late round picks, and if this one works out, it might just be his master-stroke.
3 months ago
It very well could. CDR apparently wouldn't workout for the Pistons, who is confusing as well. I thought White is a better rebounder than Max by shear numbers, with Max being more explosive. I like the pick more now that I have had a couple days to look into him more, as I had heard of him but didn't know much of his game.
I'm liking the draft a little better as the Pistons are looking to stockpile young talent they can develop in the D-League and grow with Michael Curry at the helm. It looks better long-term, which despite the comments from the team, looks like the plan as they move forward. They don't sound as if they are going to pursue much in free agency and are still looking to trade.
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