Whats Going On World?

John W. Davis here.  I thought since the regular season is winding down that it would be cool to look at the Most Important Pistons since the February All-Star break.

I’m going to just count it down for you 13 to 1.  Well honestly we only have 12 guys now but we will go 13 to 1 just to be correct.

13. Allen Iverson- He has to be last right now.  The guy is done as a Piston.  Thank God his contract comes of the books this year…

12. Walter Sharpe(Check out the exclusive Pistonscast interview)- The kid hasn’t played much but when he does, he takes it to the hoop STRONG! Look for him to contribute next year.

11. Amir Johnson- I honestly wish I could rank him higher but I can’t.  We are talking Most Important and right now he is hardly in the mix.  I thought this was going to be your year Amir!

10. Kwame Brown-  With this guy, “It Is What It Is“.  Nothing more, nothing less. At least he is 6′11, 270…

9. Walter Herrmann- If his 3 point shot isn’t clicking, whats the point?

8. Jason Maxiell(I MISS THIS VERSION OF MAX)- Another victim of the Coach Michael Curry PLAYING TIME BUG aka DNP-CD Disease…

7…  The Rest of the Most Important Pistons: Post All-Star Break will be published later this week.

Who are your Most Important Post All-Star Break Pistons…  Leave your list in the comment section!

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.twitter.com/johnwdavis

Hey guys,

I have something to say about four of the horrible teams we played and lost to.

At the time we’ve played each of them, their combined record looks like this: 14-37.   That’s a 27% win percentage.

Last night’s game was purely awful.  The first quarter looked great, but it all went downhill from there.

Where was Maxiell?

Where was Amir?

Where was Kwame?

Why did we play four of our starters extended minutes in place of them? (Rip and AI = 38 minutes, Stuckey = 36 minutes, Tay = 40 minutes)

At the end of the game, ‘Sheed was nowhere to be found (only 27 minutes played).

We only had one big on the floor, which means only one person could rebound over the other team — McDyess.  Yes, Tayshaun had 11 rebounds, but he’s not a legitimate big.

Again: Where were Maxiell, Amir, and Kwame?

I have to question what in the world happened tonight.

And where our rebounding big men were.  If people are to get more minutes, then why did four starters play almost 40?

This was awful, especially for starting out so well.  Forget the “we’re in a transitional phase” excuse.  Any time you start out with a 29-14 first quarter, then play like the Pistons did, that’s no excuse.  You can’t give up a lead like that and then say, “well, we have a new player.”

I’d like to see more than one guy on the floor who can rebound.

- Ryan

www.pistonscast.com

Pistons’ Maxiell accepts new deal

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

AUBURN HILLS — He took it nearly to the wire, but Jason Maxiell on Thursday accepted a contract extension that will keep the power forward with the Pistons through 2012.

Final language was being worked out Thursday afternoon between Pistons president Joe Dumars and Maxiell’s agent Richard Katz, but the two sides have agreed on a deal for four years at $20 million.

A week ago, Katz said that the negotiations had broken off and Maxiell was willing to play the season out and become a restricted free agent in July.

But Katz met with Dumars again Wednesday and accepted the basic parameters of the deal.

The deadline to sign extensions was today.

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I will admit it.  I was wrong and you (TADOne, Mike from LA, and lots of others) were right.  Max took the 5 million a year deal.

However it wasn’t that 3-year 15 million deal that was originally on the table.  He receives and extra year which must have made all the difference.  20 million over 4 years to play basketball. That’s not a bad deal at all!

I’m happy to have you back Max!  Are you happy?

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

Pistons’ Maxiell to become restricted free agent

AUBURN HILLS — Jason Maxiell’s agent confirmed that his client will not sign a contract extension with the Detroit Pistons by the Oct. 31 deadline. That means the 6-foot-7 forward will become a restricted free agent next summer.

“(The team has) expressed that he is a major contributor to their success,” Maxiell’s agent, Richard Katz, said in a telephone interview on Friday. “What we differ about on, is what that is worth.”

The Pistons have offered the former first-round pick a three-year deal worth $15 million, with a team option for a fourth season.

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What’s Going On World?

John W. Davis here.  Well its official Jason Maxiell believes he is worth more than 5 million a year.  I honestly agree with this decision.  He is worth 5 million at minimum, so why not see what he is worth after this season as a free agent.  Who knows, but with a dominant season off the bench he could earn 35 million over 5 or 6 years.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

MAXIELL’S BIG MONEY DEAL:

Pistons Offer Maxiell $15M Extension Over Three Years

The Pistons hope to have a contract extension worked out with Jason Maxiell before the end of training camp.

They have offered Maxiell a three-year, $15 million deal with a team option for a fourth season.

Maxiell is one of a handful of players from the 2005 draft class to be offered a contract extension.

“It’s not really important right now,” Maxiell said. “I’m just going day by day and see how it goes.”

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What’s Going On World?

John W. Davis here.  I think Maxiell is worth more than his 5 million dollar a year contract offer.  Much more.  If the Pistons can get him for that price it’s a steal. 

I think Maxiell could be worth 8-9 million dollars on the free agent market.  Bad teams are always willing to over pay for big men.

  Although Maxiell comes in at 6′7, I think with 30-35 minutes a game he could post the following stat line:

13 points 8 rebounds 2 blocks

I think that’s worth 8 million.

How much do you think Maxiell is worth?

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

THE BEAST FROM THE BENCH!

What’s Going On World?

John W. Davis here.  It’s time to get back to the Most Important Piston series here on Pistonscast.com.  We are counting down all the Detroit Pistons and discussing their overall value to the Detroit Pistons basketball team. 

My number 8 Most Important Piston has to be Jason Maxiell.  Some people think he should start.  I think he is best off the bench.  Some people think he needs more playing time.  I think his 18-22 minutes for a game is just right.

To me, Jason Maxiell is what my boy Conor from England called him, “a game changer”.  For Maxiell to be truly be effective and change a game, he needs to come off that bench and be the energy that the Pistons need. 

See every game is not the same.  Sometimes we need Maxiell to score,  but most times we need him to uplift our defense mentality.  

Although the Detroit Pistons are multi-millionaires, NBA All-Stars and former NBA Champions, they sometimes lack intesity.  Yes I said it.  Sometimes they just don’t seem to want it bad enough.  But you know what, INTESITY is contagious.  And do you know who is infected with INTESITY… Yeah you guessed it, Jason Maxiell.

 Could Jason Maxiell start?  Yes.  Should he?  I say no but that does not diminish his important role on our great Detroit Pistons Championship caliber basketball team.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

ENJOY THE YOUTUBE!

Episode 58!

-Free Agency Update: James Jones from Portland or C.J. Miles from Utah

-Pistons Summer League Roster: What to expect from The Bench Babies?

-Top Listener Email: Richard from Howell, Michigan

I just wanted to share a video that our dear listener Richard edited and posted on Youtube.

The video is about Ben Wallace. On Episode 58, Richard emailed us and asked a simple but interesting question.

Hey guys,
what do you think about Ben Wallace? Do you think he will ever wear a Pistons uniform again?

I think if we traded Chauncey and Maxiell for him we could win another Championship with Stuckey running the point.

-Richard

Obviously we know how Richard feels especially after watching that Nostalgic video. Where did that Ben Wallace of old go?

If you want to know where Deven and I stand on this issue tune in to Episode 58!