Player/Team grades thus far...

[blueadams]

C: B. Wallace, K. Brown, C. Wilcox
PF: C. Villanueva, J. Maxiel
SF: T. Prince, J. Jerebko, A. Daye
SG: R. Hamilton, B. Gordon
PG: R. Stuckey, W. Bynum

Overall, I really like what we are doing offensively.  Kuester is making the most of this big-depleted roster.  Defensively though, we have really looked lost against teams that move the ball well.  I would like to see us play a little more up-tempo…and I think we will when we get Tay and Rip back.

B. Wallce - He's been a huge positive surprise thus far.  I don't think I am speaking for just myself when I say, I really took for granted a lot of the things he did when he left.  At the time I remember thinking...his athleticism is going to diminish with age anyways, dyess is a better scorer, could even be a positive!?  How wrong I was.  This guy, he was our leader.  He makes everyone around him play harder.  He is always in the right position, offensively and defensively.  He is always going 100%.  He has diminished a bit athletically, but he's gotten a lot smarter, and he's been a real deal bargain.  The heart of our team, for sure.

C. Villanueva - I've been really, really underwhelmed with him.  He takes a lot of outside shots...which leads me to believe that he has been a good outside shooter in his career...but he hasn't been here.  His outside shooting has been bad.  He kills possessions.  He's also very 'flimsy' offensively.  Not very strong.  Not sure that we wouldn't have been better off sticking with Amir.  Not much of a ball-handler either.  He's been most effective thus far with quick two or three step takes to the hole.  He'd probably benefit a little more from a more uptempo pace.  Hopefully that shot starts falling.  Defensively, he really looks lost at times.  Not very strong, at all, inside either.  Really, really hope his shot starts falling.

T. Prince - Pretty much got what we expected out of him in the three games we’ve had him.  There’s been a big drop off at the three with him out, on both ends of the court.  Need him to get back.

R. Hamilton - The one game he played in, he was great.  Hopefully we see more of that when he gets back.  He’s a perfect tool for a coach like Kuester.

R. Stuckey – He’s stepped it up a little bit since last season.  Looks more comfortable as the guy out there.  He’s shooting the ball – and well – with less hesitation.  Still though, I wish he would be more aggressive and take it to the rack more often.  He really can drive on anybody.  He should go to it more often.

K. Brown – He’s played his role well.  He’s really playing well and smart defensively.  Offensively, he is what he is.

J. Maxiel – Haven’t seen much of him.

J. Jerebko – He looks like he’s not much more than a court-savvy Walter Hermann.  His outside shot hasn’t really been falling.  He gets blocked a lot inside.  Not really athletic enough to take it to the hole on a consistent basis.  Plays hard though.  Decent defensively, but not long or athletic enough to be above average there.   Hopefully the shooting picks up.

B. Gordon -  This guy is f-ing incredible.  It’s crazy not to have him on the court if he’s not dead tired.  He’s by far our best player.  Talk about a scorer.  I love this guy.  He’s the closest thing we’ve had to a superstar in the Dumars era.

W. Bynum -  He’s probably the best backup point guard in the league.  He’s really played like a warrior out there.  Really improved his shot as well.  Still takes it to the hole against the best of them.  I don’t really like having Rodney off the ball when he’s out there though…because it deters him from taking it to the rim a bit, playing off guard that is.

C. Wilcox -  I hate him thus far.  Shouldn’t be getting minutes over Max.  He’s a non-factor offensively.  He’s always out of position defensively.  Commits a lot of stupid fouls.  I wouldn’t mind seeing Summers dress instead of him.

A. Daye – He’s definitely got some potential.  So long.  He really moves well offensively as well.  His teammates find him open under the net in good position often.  Outside shot isn’t really falling yet.  Hopefully that comes in time and confidence.  Defensively though, he doesn’t position himself well.  Watching him there really makes you appreciate what Tayshaun does on that end.  He’s always in perfect position.  Daye is not.  And he commits a lot of bad fouls because of it.  Needs to work on that end.  Get stronger.

[blueadams]

when we're full strength...i'd like to see us go with this lineup:

C: B. Wallace, K. Brown, C. Wilcox
PF: T. Prince, C. Villanueva, J. Maxiel
SF: R. Hamilton, A. Daye, J. Jerebko
SG: B. Gordon
PG: R. Stuckey, W. Bynum

Tayshaun's stronger and longer than Villanueva, so why can't he play the 4!?  Have to get Rip and Gordon on the court together somehow.  Ben and Kwame basically split time.  Stuckey and Bynum should probably more or less split time at the point.  Charlie's the next guy off the bench at the 4.  3 and 2 gets divided up amongs tay, rip, ben, stuck.

[C BILLUPS]

austin daye is a beast! hes better then jerebko

[Mr. Blaha]

I would have to give charlie V. an incomplete so far...the missed preseason action took its toll early but I think he's coming around.   i wont play into the rumors too much but I have a hunch  that before the deadline we will have some new faces to grade.

[Yess Sir32]

I would have to give charlie V. an incomplete so far...the missed preseason action took its toll early but I think he's coming around.   i wont play into the rumors too much but I have a hunch  that before the deadline we will have some new faces to grade.

I agree we need a real post player and if charlie doesn't step it up he could be in a trade

[hotwater10]

austin daye is a beast! hes better then jerebko

Can't agree more.

[blueadams]

agreed, right now i would rather trade charlie than tay or rip for a big man.  tays better suited for the 4 than he is anyways.

[K.G.]

So far Ben Gordon has been as good as advertised and has impressed me with his commitment to get better on D.
Ben Wallace is the steal of the summer in my mind, we couldn't ask for anything more from the guy.
Charlie V has been unimpressive and god awful on D for the most part, we'll see how that pans out.
Wilcox honestly doesn't fit our team IMO, he'd fit better in a run and gun offense.
Out of the rookies jerbko's D has impressed me and dayes versatility.
Kwame has done a hell of a job as well. I can see the improvement on his free throws too.
Maxx hasn't gotten enough playing time for me, I'd always have him over wilcox in the line-up.
The last few games have showed us how much we miss rip and tay when their out.

On another note I will say I too smell another move down the road involving who I don't know. Especially if the Charlie V thing doesn't pan out as well as Joe D wants. We'll see how this all unfolds but so far I see promise in this team!

Go 

[Detroit ball 2hot 2handle]

Ben Wallace has been the most productive if you take a contrast and think, for what kind of job he came in to do.
If he gets playing time, he's productive. That's why I think Wilcox should get more time because I know he can play well. He just needs those minutes. Maybe let him start a couple of games.

Maxiell also needs more minutes to come up with more rebounds. He always hustles, no mather ho many minutes he touches the court.

[KMags]

agreed, right now i would rather trade charlie than tay or rip for a big man.  tays better suited for the 4 than he is anyways.

what could we possibly get for charlie after we gave him that contract?

[Mr. Blaha]

i dont know about you guys but i though jerebko looked great against orlando.....remember these guys are rookies!!  they are raw and are getting by on talent alone.  Aside from a few exeptions, the lebrons and wade's of the world, these guys are works in progress.  You have to look at their rookie season as a whole and break it down....they are going to have good moments and terrible ones, but I like where they are at right now.  Tay being hurt sucks but these guys are gonna get some serious burn in the next couple weeks.