Piston Deron Washington Improves by Leaps, Bounds

July 12, 2009

Piston Deron Washington improves by leaps, bounds

2008 2nd-round pick shows athleticism in Vegas

BY VINCE ELLIS
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

LAS VEGAS -- It took a little time, but Deron Washington finally got a chance to display the athleticism that has made him a YouTube star and could lead to a spot on the Pistons' opening-night roster in the fall.

Midway through the third quarter of the first game of the summer league Friday against Sacramento, point guard Andre Owens took a shot that was slightly off.

Washington, a 6-foot-7 swingman, flew over the other earthbound players to flush the dunk and draw gasps from the crowd at the Cox Pavilion on the campus at Nevada-Las Vegas.

While Washington managed only five points on 2-for-9 shooting in 24 minutes, the Pistons were impressed by their 2008 second-round draft pick during practices last week.

The athleticism has always been there, and Washington was an NBA-ready defender last summer. But on offense, he showed that his season in Israel helped and he is making the leap from being a great athlete to a good basketball player.

Check out one of Washington's YouTube clips



"Looking at him early in the practices, you can see where he's benefitted," director of personnel George David said. "He's a lot more polished in some areas, and his confidence has really grown a lot.

"His decision-making has become better. I think he doesn't force as many things as before he went over there. He takes his time a little bit more. He doesn't rush things and doesn't force himself into bad situations. I think that's where he benefitted the most."

After last summer's Vegas league, the Pistons suggested Washington spend a year overseas.

"I look at it as a stepping-stone," Washington said. "I looked at it that I just got to come in and work my behind off and maybe I will get a chance.

"All I got to do is keep playing as hard as I can, and that's my goal is to just do that and leave my mark."

David said Washington was helped by his Israeli team -- Hapoel Holon. He got playing time and good coaching.

He averaged 14.8 points and seven rebounds over 27 games. He shot nearly 50%, but made only 31% of his three-pointers.

Washington was able to handle most of defensive assignments against the Kings, although he was rocked with a crossover move from highly regarded rookie Tyreke Evans. Although he missed most of his jumpers, his shot looks comfortable so it's probably only a matter of more gym time to work on it.

As for his future with the Pistons, Washington has the rest of the summer to convince the Pistons he's worthy of a guaranteed contract and a spot on the roster. He has a good chance, because some thought he could have been on the roster last season.

"That's what all of that's been for," David said. "We've always felt that he was going to have a bright future. We like what he has, and we really like the way he's progressing."

As for those YouTube clips, Washington said he has never posted his own stuff, but guys used to walk up to him at Virginia Tech and tell him they posted his sick moves.

There is a great one in which he uses his 40-inch vertical leap to actually hurdle former Duke point guard Greg Paulus for a finger-roll lay-up.

Washington just laughs when asked about the online exposure.

"I check it out every now and then, but I don't look at it too much anymore," Washington said. "Hopefully there will be some new things up there soon."