Second-rounders should make team

Prep star Johnson is athletic, Pepperdine's Acker expected to play both guard positions.

By Chris McCosky / The Detroit News


Q. Do the Pistons' two late second-round picks have a shot at making the team next year?

A: Yes, they do. The entire Pistons scouting staff was almost giddy about getting 6-foot-10 California prep star Amir Johnson with the 56th pick and 6-4 Pepperdine guard Alex Acker with the 60th pick.

President Joe Dumars and vice president John Hammond both said they expected the two to be on the roster next season.

Q: What is it they see in them?

A: The Pistons' scouts, particularly Scott Perry and George David, felt that Johnson was one of the top three or four athletes in the entire draft. He is raw offensively and will need some time to develop a jump shot, but his athleticism (running, jumping, hand-eye coordination, etc.) was off the charts.

Coach Larry Brown compared him to Amare Stoudemire, which was probably overstating it. A more reasonable comparison would be to the Sixers' Samuel Dalembert.

He was Mr. Basketball in California, leading Westchester High to the state title. He averaged 21 points, 15 rebounds and 8 blocks his senior year.

As for Acker, this seems to be a personal favorite of Dumars. He is 6-4 with a 7-0 wing span. The Pistons believe he can defend both guard positions, as well as handle the offensive responsibilities of both. The Pistons envision him as an eventual replacement for Lindsey Hunter.

He played three years at Pepperdine and impressed the Pistons with his poise and court savvy. The knock on him was that he didn't always play with an outward passion or intensity. The Pistons heard and ignored similar complaints about Tayshaun Prince.

Q: If the Pistons want, will they be able to send those guys to the development league?

A: That is still up in the air. The language is still being worked out in the new collective bargaining agreement (which isn't expected to be signed into law until mid-July).

According to outgoing union president Michael Curry, the proposed minor league system might not be fully operational until the 2006-07 season.

That increases the odds of Johnson and Acker making the roster next season.

Q: How come the Pistons didn't go after a shooter in the draft?

A: The Pistons have a need for another perimeter scorer off the bench, no question. And the plan is to fill that need through free agency.

It is likely that several veteran swingmen will become available this summer, as teams exercise a one-time only option to waive a big-salaried veteran from their tax rolls.

Michael Finley, Allan Houston and Jalen Rose are all expected to be released. Finley and Rose will likely be seeking the mid-level exception. Houston, who is older and in questionable health, will be available for the veteran's minimum.

Houston has told friends, by the way, that Detroit is at the top of his list. He played for the Pistons for three seasons starting in 1993-94. His wife is from Farmington Hills, and he is still close with Dumars and Hunter.

Q: Are the Pistons interested in trading for Bonzi Wells?

A: No. Dumars laughed when that rumor was brought to his attention. He has not had discussions with the Grizzlies about acquiring Wells.

Q: Is Carlos Arroyo still in the plans?

A: Very much so. The Pistons believe -- and Larry Brown is on board with this -- that with a full training camp under his belt, Arroyo can be the change of pace point guard they thought he would be.

That said, if some kind of trade avails itself to the Pistons, one that Dumars feels he can't refuse, Arroyo would be a likely part of the package.

No such deal has been discussed, though.

Q: What about Carlos Delfino? He apparently told Argentine reporters that he wouldn't play for Brown.

A: Dumars had a heart-to-heart talk with Delfino in San Antonio.

"I didn't pull any punches," Dumars said. "I told him, 'If you want to be here, let me know. If you don't want to be here, let me know.' He assured me that this was where he wants to be."

Delfino will play on the Pistons' summer league team in Las Vegas.

Q: Was it surprising that guys like Anthony Roberson (Saginaw), Rawle Marshall (Detroit, Oakland University) and Alan Anderson (Michigan State) didn't get drafted?

A: A bit, but it just illustrates what Dumars had been saying all along. The draft was exceptionally deep this year.

Dumars said he was getting flooded by calls in the second round from teams wanting to buy his two late picks. That's how much talent was still on the board. But all three of those players will be on a summer league team (not the Pistons', their roster is full) and most likely all three will wind up in somebody's camp next fall.

The Pistons' scouts, particularly Scott Perry and George David, felt that Johnson was one of the top three or four athletes in the entire draft. He is raw offensively and will need some time to develop a jump shot, but his athleticism (running, jumping, hand-eye coordination, etc.) was off the charts.

Coach Larry Brown compared him to Amare Stoudemire

As for Acker, this seems to be a personal favorite of Dumars. He is 6-4 with a 7-0 wing span. The Pistons believe he can defend both guard positions, as well as handle the offensive responsibilities of both. The Pistons envision him as an eventual replacement for Lindsey Hunter

Michael Finley, Allan Houston and Jalen Rose are all expected to be released. Finley and Rose will likely be seeking the mid-level exception. Houston, who is older and in questionable health, will be available for the veteran's minimum.

Houston has told friends, by the way, that Detroit is at the top of his list. He played for the Pistons for three seasons starting in 1993-94. His wife is from Farmington Hills, and he is still close with Dumars and Hunter.

Anybody know if Maxiell is fast enough to play him as a small forward.
Maybe to cover and play against Artest