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Coach Cheeks says Brandon Jennings is still developing as a point guard

Here’s the Detroit Free Press on guard Brandon Jennings:

Brandon Jennings still developing as a point guard

It’s too early, said the former point guard — too early to decide whether Brandon Jennings will eventually figure out how to play the most demanding of NBA positions.

“It takes a certain amount of time for a guy to do that,” said Jennings’ coach, Mo Cheeks. “He’s still young, still figuring out the position.”

The Pistons point guard is 24, which, by today’s NBA standards, isn’t terribly young. What Cheeks is talking about, however, is that Jennings hasn’t been asked to play point guard before in any traditional manner. Cheeks was raised that way. Jennings was not.

Cheeks knew where everyone on the floor was supposed to be — or supposed to be going. When they weren’t, he told them. Jennings is trying to learn that now, after a life of seeking out space to shoot.

Josh Smith confirms that the Atlanta Hawks did not try to keep him

Here’s the Atlanta Journal-Constitution blog on the parting of ways between the Hawks and forward Josh Smith this past offseason:

Josh Smith

At least they said hello.

Hawks general manager Danny Ferry has previously said the team did not make Josh Smith a contract offer once he became an unrestricted free agent this summer. Smith gave some more detail into the Hawks’ lack of interest this summer in a radio interview with 92.9 FM Monday.

“No, there wasn’t,” Smith said when asked if there was a contract offer. “During free agency, during that period, there were a lot of guys out in L.A. that were meeting with various teams. I was one of those guys. That’s where I work out in the summertime as well. The only time I saw the Hawks during free agency was when they came to one of my workouts just to say hello. I think they were meeting with Dwight Howard that day. They never came in or sat down with me during the free agency period to offer me anything.”

J.R. Smith goes off on Brandon Jennings via Twitter

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on some Twitter fun:

JR Smith

J.R. Smith’s latest Twitter fiasco – an apparent threat to harm Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings – had Knicks coach Mike Woodson contemplating a team policy about using social media Thursday and the organization wondering whether the reigning Sixth Man of the Year might be looking at a disciplinary action from the league.

Smith made what appeared to be a threat against Jennings on Wednesday night shortly after the Knicks’ win in Atlanta, where he started instead of coming off the bench. Jennings posted a dispatch on Twitter in which he questioned why Knick Chris Smith – J.R.’s brother – belongs on an NBA roster.

Smith first came to his brother’s defense and then, according to Deadspin.com, posted a tweet that read, “might call some of my Number street homies an put #Detroit on smash for a min! #DeadSerious.”

Asked before Thursday night’s game whether he intended to threaten with that message, Smith said, “No. There’s a way to threaten somebody and that’s not the way to publicly threaten somebody.”

Pistons coach wants Greg Monroe to improve his midrange jumper

The Detroit Pistons are lucky to have a talent like Greg Monroe. He’s good. But can be better. Here’s the Detroit Free Press reporting:

greg monroe

Add Detroit Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks to the chorus.

For power forward Greg Monroe to take the next step in his development, he must become proficient at knocking down midrange jumpers.

That has been known for some time, but Cheeks said he mentioned it again to Monroe during Wednesday’s practice.

“I just told him today that if I was him, I’d practice that jump shot right at that left and right elbow,” Cheeks said.

Detroit Pistons boast a powerhouse frontcourt

Here’s Michigan Live on what the Pistons frontcourt brings to the table:

andre drummond

With Andre Drummond at center, Greg Monroe shifting from center to power forward, and [Josh] Smith at small forward, the Pistons have a powerhouse front line.

Their hope is that gains in rebounding and defensive rim protection counteract any issues in offensive spacing caused by playing Smith at small forward.

To the Pistons’ benefit, Smith and Monroe are willing passers who can operate as post hubs, while Drummond is content to rebound and run pick-and-rolls. They all seem capable of playing with any group of teammates.

That was proven to some extent in preseason, when Will Bynum was the only veteran playmaking guard who regularly participated in games. Billups took most of preseason off to preserve his 37-year-old body, Jennings missed most of it after surgery for an impacted wisdom tooth and hairline jaw fracture, and Rodney Stuckey missed most of it after surgery for a broken thumb.

How good will the Pistons be this season?

The Detroit Pistons built up their roster this summer, after already having several pieces in place that have a bright future. How good will they be this season? Here’s a Michigan Live prediction:

Josh Smith

The Pistons have done as well as can be expected in revamping their roster (again) in search of that elusive playoff berth. They’re not a championship contender by any stretch but they’re finally on the right track with the additions of Josh Smith, Brandon Jennings and Chauncey Billups, the continued maturation of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond and some promising rookies. Their November schedule is going to be difficult but I don’t see them getting off to a third straight disastrous start even though they will struggle in November. Look for the Pistons to flirt with a .500 record, fall a game or two short and finally get back into the playoffs.

Tayshaun Prince has lost 12-15 pounds during illness

Tayshaun Prince has always been about as skinny as the free throw line, but now he’s reportedly so thin, it’ll be hard to even see him on the court. Here’s the Detroit Free Press:

tayshaun prince

Former Detroit Pistons star Tayshaun Prince, who doesn’t have much extra weight to shed, as we all know, told the Memphis Commercial Appeal this week that he has lost 12 to 15 pounds because of a debilitating stomach ailment.

Prince has missed the entire preseason with the Memphis Grizzlies.

The 6-foot-9 sharpshooter, whose listed weight on the Grizzlies’ official roster is 215 pounds, told the Commercial Appeal he’s feeling stale and weak and that he experienced abdominal pains that kept him from eating most of the past week.

Chauncey Billups surprised that Rip Hamilton remains unsigned

richard hamilton

Billups is surprised that no one signed Hamilton, who was waived by the Bulls in the off-season.

“I’m not sure what he’s going to do yet, but I am surprised,” Billups said this week. “I’m hoping that sometime soon somebody will pick him up. I worked out with him a lot this summer. He’s in great shape and looking like the Rip of old. He’s got his self healthy again, so I’m hoping. I know that he can really, really help somebody.”

Hamilton, 35, once was one of the top shooting guards in the NBA with the Pistons, but after declining as a player and becoming a disruptive presence, the Pistons bought him out at the conclusion of the 2011 NBA lockout.

Reported by Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press

Brandon Jennings out 3 weeks with tooth issue

Brandon Jennings out 3 weeks with tooth issue

The Detroit Pistons announced today that guard Brandon Jennings will not play at Chicago on Wednesday, October 16 or at Cleveland on Thursday, October 17, or anytime for the next three weeks after missing the last two preseason games with wisdom tooth discomfort.

An examination by Dr. Robert Weaver on Monday revealed an impacted wisdom tooth and a hairline fracture of the mandible at the base of the tooth. Treatment will include immobilization for a three-week period and he will be re-evaluated at that time.