The Final Grade

The Pistons Summer League days have come and gone. Each game provided it's own questions and answers, bright spots and worrisome performances. Let's break down the playas.


Austin Daye: Grade B+

Austin looked great in the first two games but injuries ended his summer league early and on a low note with an abysmal performance against the Kings. Overall he was greatly improved in his confidence and determination, his post up game and his body control. Had he stayed healthy he may have been the biggest positive for the Pistons this summer.

DaJuan Summers: Grade C+

Looked great going to the basket and drawing fouls. The guy looks quick for a 240 pounder and when he gets aggressive and asserts himself he can make plays. I just don't see what DaJuan does that guarantees him a spot in the rotation. Jerebko has the hustle and defense, Daye has the length and skill-set, Prince can do everything and do it well. Where does DaJuan fit in? Maybe he fits in on another team or maybe he refines his game and becomes an impact player. Only time will tell.

Jonas Jerebko: Grade B

Jonas got fewer and fewer minutes as the week went on. He continues to show the relentless style that earned him a starting spot on the team last year. His physicality seemed to land him in constant trouble with the less experienced summer league refs and he needs to refine his offensive game with one or two go-to-moves on the block and a more consistent shot from range. On a side note, Jonas is the player on the summer league roster I have the fewest questions about going into the season. And that's a good thing.

Greg Monroe: Grade B+

You could see him really start to settle down against the Heat and then he had a monster game against the Knicks (27 pts. 14 rbs.). I liked the kid from the first time I saw him play and he finally started slowing down and showing us what he could do. A lot of people question if Greg is really a center. Steve Smith even mentioned he may spend some time at the three...anyway, here's why I think he is capable of playing against any center in the league and being successful. His versatility. If he can't overpower you in the post he'll simply take you outside, force you to play him 15 feet from the bucket and either A)hit jumpers B) put the ball on the deck and get by you or get you to foul him or C)drop dimes to cutters because he has pulled the opposing team's big man out of the paint and opened up a clear path to the basket. If he does match up with you in the block he can A)spin into the lane and hit you with the baby hook B) turn baseline and hit you with the short corner-turn around or C) Throw a couple of fakes and get the up-and-under-and-one as you jump to block the fake and end up fouling him on the lay-in. Couple that with a guy who consistently runs the floor and runs it well and you have the makings of a star. He needs to add strength and his defense still needs a lot of work but with Ben Wallace sticking around for two more years to guide Greg, I can't help but like his chances of becoming a good defender.

Terrico White: Grade B

Solid, that's how I would describe Terrico's summer league. He flashed his athleticism but never tried to do to much. 1.6 assists to 1.0 turnover (per game) is respectable considering how much the guy had the ball in his hands. He showed a nice shooting touch both off the dribble and on spot ups. How much he plays this season will depend largely on how fast he learns but he has the tools, and, despite a poor shooting day against New York, ended the week looking like a brilliant pick at #36.

Other Notables:

Mac Koshwal: I think Mac makes the team and I'll tell you why. 1. The Pistons need big, active bodies that can rebound, 2. The Pistons need to get tougher. Mac is a chiseled 6'10" 255 and does the dirty work. Every team in the league needs guys like Mac, guys that hit the weights and then crash the boards. He looks like another guy that would blossom under the tutelage of Ben Wallace.

Edgar Sosa: Not sure Sosa makes the team but he showed enough to give the Pistons pause. He is quick, passionate about his game and plays hungry. He's not a great shooter but he'd be joining a Pistons team where he wouldn't have to be. Plus he a New York City point guard and they come tough. If the Pistons don't pick him up for the minimum someone else probably will.

Deja 2

The Pistons scored 89 points for the second game in a row but unlike the previous game this affair was a blow out as the Pistons defense held the Warriors to 69 points. Got a great look at Greg Monroe as the Pistons fed him a steady diet of post feeds in the second half.

The playas:

Austin Daye...20 pts. 5 rbs. 4 asts. 3 blks.

Austin wasn't quite the sharpshooter he was against the Lakers but still managed to lead all scorers with 20. At 6'11" he has a remarkable ability to create his own shot and when he spots up for the corner three it's lights out. He continues to be the Pistons go-to-guy on the offensive end, deservedly so, but he seemed to force the issue a bit tonight. His free throw shooting was off (2-5) but overall another encouraging performance.

DaJuan Summers...18 pts. 7 rbs. 1 stl

Loved DaJuan tonight. He wasn't just hanging around on the perimeter. He was in the mix underneath and hauled down 7 rebounds, even managing to out rebound Austin. Continues to knock down jumpers and slash to the basket for lay-ups and fouls. He was much more assertive this game. I would still love to see him take a couple guys down into the block and exploit his strength but I thought tonight he really showed his value at the 3 position.

Jonas Jerebko...11 pts. 7 rbs. 1 ast. 1 stl.

I thought Jonas looked better tonight and he nearly got that double-double I was hoping for. His offense is still pretty raw, but defensively he was better. He needs to stop taking that half-charge where you think he is going to take a charge but ends up stepping into the guy driving at him and then bouncing back about five feet with his hands in the air. That's never gonna go your way, Jonas. Never. Close-out, hedge the guy, take the charge, block the shot or at least contest, but please no more half-charges.

Greg Monroe...11 pts. 8 rbs. 3 asts. 2 stls.

Saw a good sampling of what Greg can do tonight and, again, I was encouraged. He led the team in rebounding, ran the floor, contested shots and made some nice passes. His free throw shooting was poor, and after seeing the squeaker dunk he threw down tonight on Brown no one should ever mention his name in the same sentence as David Robinson again. He definitely needs to get stronger, but look at the guys shoulders, he's got the frame. He just needs time. I thought his wind looked better tonight and was impressed the way he was getting up the floor. Nice improvement from Game 1.

Terrico White...7 pts. 3 rbs. 1 ast. 1 stl.

Terrico looks comfortable with the ball in his hands and his jump shot is miles ahead of where Rodney Stuckey's was (is?)particularly from range. He's going to help the Pistons, but in what capacity? Can he play point? I mean, he can bring the ball up, but 1 assist in 25 minutes is not very reassuring. Still, he has a smooth shot, athleticism and never looks like he is rattled or in a rush. He is looking more and more like a steal at 36. I would love to see that assist number rise next game.

Others

Koshwal: Not a walking turnover this game. 9 points, 6 boards and some toughness down low. Also, the dunk of the night. Nice game.

Sosa: Looked tough and quick. 6 points, 5 assists and 1 turnover. Also, the lay-up of the night.

Millsap: Led the team in steals (3) and ran the floor hard. Impressed with his hustle and all round play.