Transcript of Chat w/ Detroit Free Press Writer Vince Ellis

June 22, 2009


Transcript of today's live chat with Pistons writer Vince Ellis


Miss today's chat with Pistons writer Vince Ellis? Here's a transcript:

1:49 Freep: All right, Vince is here a little early and has to leave a little early ... so we're going to start a little early.


1:49 Vince Ellis: I'm here and ready when you are. I can go between 20-25 minutes. Got something up at 2:30.


1:49 dapistons: are we going to trade our pick? or use it to draft some youth into our lineup? if we do pick, who is our top choice? A big i hope.


1:51 Vince Ellis: I would guess that the Pistons won't trade the pick at this late date, although if somebody blew their socks off, Dumars has said that all options are on the table.


1:51 microwave: What center will Joe get? Kaman, Chandler or Okur


1:52 Vince Ellis: As for who they will select among these five: Austin Daye, B.J. Mullens, Terrence Williams, James Johnson or Earl Clark.


1:52 Vince Ellis: How about neither?


1:53 Vince Ellis: JK, of those three, I would bet on Chandler, but there's so much info out there right now.


1:53 Jeff: Hi Vince - People of speculated since mid-season that the Pistons will go after Carlos Boozer. Are you at all concerned about his injury history and attitude? Also, what type of salay might he command? I hope we don't spend our entire cap space on him...


1:54 Vince Ellis: They won't spent their entire cap space on one player. The thinking is to get two frontline players through either trade or free agency.


1:54 Vince Ellis: The Pistons really aren't scared off by injury history as they think trainer Arnie Kander can do magic.


1:54 Mike Horan: Would the Pistons be better off drafting a big man or drafting a guard to run their offense with the possibilities of getting a big in free agency?


1:56 Vince Ellis: Tough call. It all depends what guard we are talking about and what big men we are talking about.


1:56 Guest: If Pistons move stuckey over to the two do you think that either RIP or Tay have to go?


1:57 Vince Ellis: I don't think it's in the plan to move Stuckey over to the two guard. He is a combo guard, which means he could stills start at the one and get time at the two during games. I wouldn't give up on Stuckey as a point.


1:57 JJ: What's the chance that we see Chris Bosh in a pistons uniform next year? Sounds like Colangelo might be willing to give him up now rather than see him leave with noting in return. Could Rip and a young big and/or future picks get it done?


1:59 Vince Ellis: That would be a gamble. You would still have to convince him to sign an extension or re-sign with you as a free agent. You willing to take that chance on a one-season rent-a-player?


1:59 mucket72: Do you think Antonio Mc D stays if Pistons sign Boozer(NOT the other 3 mentioned)


2:00 Vince Ellis: I think McDyess is gone. The Pistons will face stiff competition for his services.


2:00 BP: what are the chances the Piston draft pick (15)will be any point guard.


2:00 Vince Ellis: Slim. If someone like Flynn falls they could go that route.


2:00 JJ: Hey just a quick follow up. I agree it'd be a gamble but wouldn't we then have caproom again next summer (when there are even more marquee names than this year) if bosh decides to bolt?


2:01 Vince Ellis: James coming here? Wade coming here?


2:01 Vince Ellis: Don't think so.


2:01 Jay: With all the money the pistons have who would you target?


2:03 Vince Ellis: Well, if Joe D. called me up and got my opinion? In my fantasy world? Offer sheet to David Lee, go after Gordon and maybe a sign-and-trade for somebody like Villaneuva.


2:03 Vince Ellis: Of course, that's probably not going to happen, lol.


2:03 Rod: any chance bill laimbeer will be an assistant coach for the oistons


2:04 Vince Ellis: Not picking up that vibe right now.


2:04 Youssif: Do you think Joe D planned for the chemistry in both personality and highly compatible styles when he went after both Rip and Chauncey or did it just happen that way? If so, do you think he is trying to brew up a similar formula this time again?


2:05 Vince Ellis: I wasn't covering the team then, but that kind of chemistry is hard to plan for.


2:05 dapiston: is there any talk with teams right now about a blockbuster trade any serious talk.


2:06 Vince Ellis: Teams can't talk until July 1. ;-)


2:06 Ryan Rusnak: Vince, whats up man its Kyle Grimm's buddy.. What are the realistic chances we see Rasheed Wallace and/or Allen Iverson in a Pistons jersey this coming season? Please say ZERO!


2:07 Vince Ellis: Tell Kyle whaddup. I think it's safe they won't be back. 100% chance with Iverson.


2:07 Joe: Why has Ty Lawson fallen so far? Wasn't he considered one of the best if not the best PG in the country?


2:07 Vince Ellis: Iverson won't be back, that is.


2:08 Vince Ellis: That's until teams start working guys out. Does he play that well because he's that good or because his team is so talented? He will go in the first round so he won't be crying poverty.


2:08 ah: how do you envision the starting 5 to look next year?


2:09 Vince Ellis: Stuckey is the only guy that I'm pretty certain about.


2:10 ea: who do you think is most likely to be traded between tayshaun and rip


2:10 Vince Ellis: I would say an equal chance.


2:11 Tipp_From_flint: the pistons arent trying to draft hansborough are they??


2:11 Vince Ellis: There's a chance that he won't even make it to the Pistons. He's really helped himself since the college season ended.


2:11 SalleySpider: Are we trying to move up in the draft to get Thabeet? Dou you think Blair is the kind of which pistons fans loves player?


2:13 Vince Ellis: Nada to the first question and Blair would probably be a fan favorite, but kind of similar to Maxiell.


2:13 Rod: do you think there will be more pressure on coach curry this year to win considering this is his second year.how long will joe stick with him


2:14 Vince Ellis: That's a safe assumption. Joe D. is firmly behind his guy, but a bad season has a way of changing things.


2:14 Guest: You think the pistons would not be interested in Lawson or Maynor?


2:14 Vince Ellis: Not getting that vibe. Guess I like using that term.


2:14 JJ: what's the chances that the pistons trade out of the 1st round for more cap space? there's a rumor that okc would be willing to take on amir's contract with the 15 for a future first rounder.


2:15 Vince Ellis: Like I said earlier, all options are on the table.


2:15 Guest: who is a bigger risk in the draft daye or jennings?


2:16 Vince Ellis: Good question. Neither is ready for major minutes, but I like Daye better.


2:16 ah: how long do you think until we are highly competetive again....?


2:17 Vince Ellis: Tough call. I don't think it will happen next season if you mean challenge for the Eastern Conference crown. Check back with me this time next year.


2:17 Marshall: Vince, why wouldn't they want a 7-1 guy like Mullens? They've longed for a prototypical center for years. Even Laimbeer played outside. Do you not think he has upside?


2:18 Vince Ellis: He's in the mix for the 15th pick. There will be a profile on him in tomorrow's newspaper and at freep.com.


2:18 ea: You think that the pistons best player to select in the draft is earl clark and do you think he has a chance to start next season


2:19 Vince Ellis: I like Clark, but I don't think a rookie will be in the starting lineup next season.


2:19 Tipp_From_flint: I see Chris Bosh as a weak version of jermaine o'neal....why are the fans calling for the pistons to get him??


2:20 Vince Ellis: Because he has a ton of ability and can get to the free-throw line. By I share your assessment in that I think he is more a Robin than a Bat-Man.


2:20 Jay: What you sign Ben Gordon? if so why


2:21 Vince Ellis: Yes and the Pistons really need someone who can go get his own shot when he feels like it. Really the only guys that can create shots on the roster currently is Stuckey, Bynum and Prince somewhat.


2:21 Vince Ellis: The guy is a scoring machine.


2:21 hass: what are the odds pistons stand pat this offseason and wait till 2010 to make a splash?


2:22 Vince Ellis: Very small chance. Joe D. is going to try and make it happen now.


2:22 Freep: We only have time for a couple more. Vince has to get going ...


2:22 buddy: what has Joe D. done as a GM that is so special??? Sign Sheed? What exactly did he do to carry so much respect. As a player I loved him, but not so much as we speak.


2:23 Vince Ellis: Hmmm, sign Chauncey for nothing. Make a very unpopular trade for Rip when he gave up Stackhouse, draft Prince and he traded for Sheed originally when a lot of folks thought of him as a selfish player.


2:24 Vince Ellis: Oh yeah and have one of the most successful reigns in the NBA over the last 10 years. I guess that sucks.


2:24 Freep: Two more ...


2:24 Rod: any chance pistons get Ron Artest


2:24 Vince Ellis: I would be against it, but in this world, you never know.


2:25 Vince Ellis: bet against it


2:25 Jay: with the 15th the Pistons select who?


2:25 Vince Ellis: You got to wait for my mock draft later this week.


2:26 Vince Ellis: Look at freep.com or your local newsstand.


2:26 Freep: That's all we have time for today. Thanks for all the great questions, and thanks to Vince for taking the time. Have a good one, everybody!


2:26 Vince Ellis: Take care.


2:26 ryan: i like to give a shout out to the Red Wings....just put this post up there