Pistons Will Shop for Size at the 1982 College
Draft
Cleveland - When the Detroit Pistons go shopping at the next college draft,
they will be looking for some king-sized bargains -- like a power forward and
a center.
“Our No. 1 thought all along was to build through the draft,” said
Pistons Coach Scotty Robertson. “We got two good kids in the last draft
and now, we have to get some size at power forward and center.”
“We’ve had a three-year plan and I’ve felt all along we’re
going about this in the right way.”
Robertson and General Manager Jack McCloskey are in the second year of their
plan and appear to be headed in the right direction on the road to respectability.
Last spring’s draft was a bonanza for the Pistons. They had two first-round
choices and selected guard Isiah Thomas and forward Kelly Tripucka, who now
form 40 percent of the club’s future.”
“Isiah is a young man with a great deal of talent, but still has a lot
to learn about pro basketball,” said Robertson
“He’s intelligent and he’s learning.
“He can pass, he can shoot and he’s got a big heart. Isiah is a
tough kid and is working hard on defense.
Kelly is another tough kid,” adds Robertson, who has no problem praising
his two rookies. “A lot of people question Kelly’s lack of speed,
but that’s no problem. He’s a good rookie and he’s only going
to get better.”
Another player the Pistons plan to build on is guard John Long, the fourth-year
veteran from the university of Detroit.
“John is a scorer and he’s working to improve his defense,”
said Robertson.
The coach is a Kent Benson fan, too, but admits the 1976 NCAA tournament MVP
from Indiana University will become a power forward when the Pistons draft a
center. The reason: Benson is not an intimidator.
“Kent is a great person and a good player, but I see his future at forward,”
said Robertson.
Robertson also had kind words for Edgar Jones. “Edgar is blocking shots,
which gives us a new dimension,” Robertson said. “But, overall,
we just have to get more physical.”
Next year is the last on Robertson’s three-year program. The pistons have
two first round draft choices again -- their own and Washington’s. With
another draft like last year’s, the Pistons could be in the NBA’s
high rent district for the first time.
“People aren’t taking us lightly anymore. Our situation is great
and we’re going to get there,” promised Robertson.
* * *
Cleveland’s situation once again has deteriorated to
the ridiculous. Owner Ted Stepien is not happy with new coach Chuck Daly, who
signed a three-year contract but has been on the job, for just a little over
a month.
As usual, the Cavs are losing but, in addition, Daly is not communicating with
Stepien as well or as often as the owner would like.
The two had a meeting to iron things out and Stepien said they now are on the
same wave length, but don’t bet on it. Guard Bobby Wilkerson missed a
recent practice and James Silas was called home to San Antonio for a few days
because two people were murdered in the house he is renting…. Scott Wedman,
who played just 10 games before injuries took over, was back on the Cavs’
roster.
Atlanta’s pint-sized guard, Charlie Criss, has asked to be traded because
of lack of playing time…. The Hawks rebounded from a slump to win six
of seven games as forward John Drew went on a tear, averaging 23.6 during this
stretch…. Wes Mathews had a career-high six steals against New York….
Dan Roundfield received credit for the Hawks’ winning basket at Milwaukee,
when Bucks center Harvey Catchings touched Tom McMillen’s inbound pass,
forcing the ball through the hoop. Roundfield was the closest Hawk to the ball.
The Bucks cut guard Mike Evans, then brought him back when Junior Bridgeman
went on the injured list with a foot problem. Bridgeman returned and Evans was
gone again…The Bucks, who dropped three straight home games, were 14 –
6 in Milwaukee as of January 10. They lost only seven home games all of last
season. The Bucks, however, have a comfortable lead in the Central Division,
and it doesn’t appear that any club will threaten them…. Hawks guard
Rory Sparrow has moved into the third spot among the most accurate free throw
shooters, shooting 897 on his freebies.
As of January 10, Atlanta already had played a full schedule against the Eastern
Conference heavyweights. The Hawks had met Milwaukee four times, and Boston
and Philadelphia three times each…. In consecutive games against Los Angeles’
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Boston’s Robert Parish, Chicago’s Artis
Gilmore had 44 points and 22 rebounds… The Bulls won three straight games
when they scored more than 100 points each time. They had captured only one
of the previous seven when they failed to reach the century mark.
Indiana center Clemon Johnson has been slowed by a sore kneecap while the Pacers
were fighting a stretch of six losses in eight games…. Guard Jerry Sichting,
who missed the first 31 Pacers games with a broken foot, shot 63 percent from
the floor in his first three contests…. Look for the Pacers to go for
rebounders in the next spring’s college draft. They rank 21st in the league
in this vital area…. The Pacemates, Indiana’s cheerleaders, will
perform at the NBA All-Star Game January 31.
This article by Bill Nichols appeared in The
Sporting News January 30, 1982
Reproduced with permission of the author.