Leading into this years Las Vegas Summer League, post-draft whimpers continued to echo through the alleys of Detroit. Poverty stricken Piston fans were still baffled by yet another night of head scratching picks.
Too thin, too short and too...who in gods name is this white kid from Sweden? Why didn't we move up to get Earl Clark? Why didn't we pick up Ty Lawson? Why won't Joe just listen to us fans for once?
Well, if this week's Summer League performances are any indication of how these three young forwards will play in the NBA, the future is bright and Joe D has pulled off the impossible. He found three diamonds in the rough of a weak draft.
It's obvious to this Detroit fan that the new threesome has gelled, proving that Mr. Dumars was a draft hero - not a zero.
Game one: DaJuan Summers was the star scoring 24 while playing stellar defense and pulling down 7 boards. Game two: First round pick Austin Daye, who took center stage with 19 points and 8 boards, featuring his arsenal of offensive moves. From shooting the three to driving to the whole, this kid was shaken & bakin'. Playing point forward, showing off his passing skills, impressive cross over and ability to play both roles of the pick and pop impressed many. Of course game three had to showcase the talent of the Swedish unknown, but how would you fit in enough time when Daye & Summers are taking all the forward minutes? Evidently you play him at center. Jonas Jerebko didn't disappoint playing pesky D against the bigger more experienced centers and, oh yeah, the future “all star” Anthony Randolph who had his worse game this summer. Multiple steals, blocks and altered shots went along with Jerebko's 16 points and 9 boards.
In game four the triple threat decided to put on a Vegas show. All three started, and man, they put up some gaudy numbers. This ironically against the first forward picked (after Blake Griffin #1) in the draft at #8 over all, Jordan Hill. The Knicks rookie was obviously flustered by the trio. He could only watched as Daye 27pts/13rbs, Summers 26pts/8rbs & Jerebko 13pts/12rbs, had a performance that shook the league. It was a blow out to say the least.
I know buddy, I know, it's only Summer League. The point however, my pessimistic piers, is the Thunder Three are playing as a team, and still putting the smack down. Lawson only put up two points the other night, while Clark can only look with awe and envy at Detroit's box scores. Cohesive play along with athleticism, high energy and skill set with a high ceiling- what more could we have asked for? It's unlike any Summer League team I've ever seen. Usually everyone's out to get theirs in the hopes of a roster spot. But not these kids. They're out to prove they're Detroit Pistons.
Let's just hope...what happened in Vegas...doesn't stay in Vegas.
