The Pistons’ four rookie draft picks continue to receive extensive playing time and coach Dwane Casey is encouraged by the progress of the team’s so-called “Core Four,” Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes. That quartet of Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey and Saben Lee combined for 73 points, 22 rebounds and 19 assists against the Bulls on Sunday.
“It’s another area of growth, of toughness,” Casey said. “If you win with toughness in this league, we’d have won quite a few games. Those guys toughed it out – mentally, physically – and it says a lot about their character, who they are as people.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- Another Pistons rookie, Euro import Deividas Sirvydis, had an eight-point, six-rebound outing against Philadelphia on Saturday and he’s also trying to make an impression in the late going, Langlois writes in a separate story. Sirvydis joined Detroit during the offseason after being selected in the second round in 2019 as a draft-and-stash prospect. “The main thing with him is getting stronger, which he’s done,” Casey said. “I’ve told our guys, he’s going to be a player one day. He’s going to be one of those big two/threes who can stretch the floor.”
- Cavaliers assistant Lindsay Gottlieb is leaving the franchise when the regular season is completed. She has been named USC’s head women’s coach, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Gottlieb, who had been on Cleveland’s staff since 2019, was the first female head coach from a Power 5 conference to become an NBA assistant coach. She previously coached Cal for eight seasons.
- While it may have been heartwarming to see 38-year-old Anderson Varejao make a brief comeback in the NBA, the Cavaliers should have evaluated a younger player looking for a chance, Joe Vardon of The Athletic argues. The team could have signed someone who played in the G League or overseas and potentially found a diamond in the rough, Vardon writes, noting that some other teams have gotten productive minutes from players on 10-day contracts or rest-of-season deals.
Obviously Joe Vardon is a hack. Bringing back Andersen Varejao is not going to complicate Cavaliers future. Teams have been doing this since before Joe Vardon was born. Vardon’s excuse is pathetic. Cleveland has already scouted any players they are considering. I really don’t know what Vardon is expecting. Vardon must be another Jim Rome/Stephanie A Smith/Sally Kellerman wannabe
Apparently, Dean Wade, Lamar Stevens, Mfiondu Kabengele, Brodric Thomas, and Jeremiah Martin aren’t enough.
Vardon needs to go back to screaming at the neighborhood kids to get off his lawn. One feel good thing for this Cavs season and he thinks it ought to not happened because somewhere they might find the next basketball savant that nobody knows exists.
I’ve been saying it for a long time now. Pistons had best draft In 2020. All four are NBA players. And three will be starters. For a so called weak draft. Pistons did great.
The Piston’s second-rounder thanks the Piston’s writer for learning to count to four and not trying a wedge a “big three” mention in.
No complaints about Lindsay Gottlieb. I’m sure when she moves back to Cali, freinds will tell her they’re glad she made it out of there ha ha. I cannot say she usually saw things done right here.
Not good for Altman’s career since she was one of his most innovative moves, her not being an ex-jock-ette, and who had stalled at a high level at Cal. For the Cavs she always sounded about right in halftime interviews. Of course IDK how she would do as an HC; Never know with an AC. Hard to.predict how well an HC will do with another team!