Second Chance for Washington and Plaisted

Washington and Plaisted, '08 2nd rounders, hoping to stick
Second Chance
by Keith Langlois

LAS VEGAS - Joe Dumars has made it standard practice in pre-draft evaluations of potential second-round picks to ask if they’d be open to spending at least a season in Europe. Those who demur usually get crossed off the list.

They never got around to asking the question of DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko during their workouts because they never envisioned them being available with their picks at 35 and 39 of the second round. The plan is for both to stick next season, but it wouldn’t be the worst thing if they had to stay overseas for additional seasoning.

It worked well enough for Deron Washington, the third of last season’s three second-rounders, and would have paid similar dividends for Trent Plaisted, he believes, if not for a back injury that flared up and cut his season short.

“I was excited to go over there for three months,” said Plaisted, who played less than a handful of regular-season games but did log nearly 20 preseason games before suffering a herniated disc injury that ultimately required surgery back in the United States. “I thought I learned a whole lot over there. I was able to play against some really good teams. You go to Europe, great players you remember from college, you see them over there, it’s like, wow. Italy, Spain – it’s really good basketball.”

Washington played in the Israeli league for Hapoel Holon and used the experience to hone his offensive skills. An explosive athlete, Washington needed to work on his ballhandling and perimeter shooting.

“I got a lot more confidence in myself, in all aspects of the game,” Washington said. “A lot more confidence in my offensive game, which was my downfall last year. My defense is still there. I think it’s actually gotten better.

Washington said he’s “just being more aggressive (offensively), being able to take it to the basket, knock down some open shots and be able to create for myself and others. The confidence level just went up tremendously last year.”

After Thursday’s practice, in which Washington flashed both the improved jumper and the ability to take the ball to the basket, Pistons assistant coach Pat Sullivan said, “I was impressed with his ability to put the ball on the floor. That surprised me. He definitely improved in terms of being able to go off the dribble. Obviously, his athleticism is great and he gets after it on the defensive end. That’s something Joe (Dumars) loves and that’s a staple for the Pistons.”

Much like Arron Afflalo, the Pistons see Washington as being able to defend all three perimeter positions. With the drafting of Austin Daye, Summers and Jerebko, the forward spots are suddenly well-stocked, so Washington anticipates spending most of his minutes at shooting guard, which also is crowded with the free-agent signing of Ben Gordon to go with Rip Hamilton and Afflalo.

Washington said that while the Pistons have indicated to him his chances for a roster spot next season look good, he’s not taking anything for granted and is attacking the Las Vegas Summer League as his proving grounds.

Plaisted’s lack of game experience last season could make it more difficult for him to crack the roster, but he, too, is going into the five-game Summer League schedule feeling he has a chance to prove himself.

“I try not to speculate too much about those things,” he said, “but I know this Summer League is really important to me.”

The Pistons are high on Plaisted’s defensive skills, especially his ability to step out and guard the pick and roll.

“I love his feet,” Sullivan said. “He’s a really good pick-and-roll defender. Darko (Milicic) was like that for us when we had him. He was very, very quick and athletic on the pick and roll and I see that in Trent. He’s smart. He does everything we ask him to do.”