FanHouse Nazr Mohammed

I would love to be able to defend Charlotte coach Larry Brown's comments regarding his plot for new Bobcat Tyson Chandler. The Baseline's Sean Deveney jumped on Brown's post-trade conference call, where Brown told reporters he'd be using the 7'1 Chandler as Boris Diaw's back-up at power forward.

I really wish I were brave enough to applaud Larry's idea. But unfortunately, I didn't drop enough acid this morning.

For some time, the Bobcats were the envy of GM's everywhere. Not because of their roster, although that's not so shabby -- it was their cap space. Charlotte's finest were once hording payroll in the negative, presumably to make some big move that would catapult them to legitimacy.

The Bobcats have made some moves. But with the acquisition of Jason Richardson, Nazr Mohammed, and Walter Herrmann, have they squandered their most valuable asset? From the Charlotte Observer:

Since the end of last season, the Bobcats have traded for two projected starters, Jason Richardson and Nazr Mohammed. Those deals mean the Bobcats inherit nearly $60 million in payroll responsibility for Richardson and Mohammed over the three seasons after this one.

Well, when you put it like that, the 'Cats blew it. Mohammed has never delivered consistently. And to paraphrase the article, Richardson makes Joe Johnson money without approaching that level.

Oh, and if you want the ultra-gloomy read on it:

Should the Bobcats be wary of clearing up other teams' cap problems? Golden State and Detroit were both in jeopardy of paying luxury tax. They were willing to give up these guys, without getting that much in return, to unload payroll. The Bobcats discarded two players with expiring contracts (Brezec and Walter Herrmann). Did they sacrifice future cap flexibility to improve marginally now?

Ugh. Good thing they're in the East.

Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reports that the Pistons signed Antonio McDyess to a two-year extension on Monday. The $14.46 million extension will keep McDyess, who had a year remaining on his current deal, in Detroit through 2010.

There's no doubt that McDyess has been the team's most valuable reserve in his three years with the team, but retaining him does nothing to change the public perception that the Pistons are an aging team. But even though McDyess will be 35 years old by the time the deal expires, is that perception really accurate? Maybe not.

Considering the Pistons also announced the signing of second-round pick Sammy Mejia today, this year's roster will feature four rookies: first-round picks Rodney Stuckey and Aaron Afflalo, Mejia and last year's second-round pick Cheikh Samb. Plus, 20-year-old Amir Johnson, who recently signed a three-year deal to stay in Detroit, and Jason Maxiell, 24, are also expected to factor into Detroit's rotation this year. That's six players who are all under the age of 25, including four expected to see a lot of playing time this year. And of the starters, only two are on the wrong side of thirty: Rasheed Wallace is 32, and Chauncey Billups is 30. .

It's been said that the addition of McDyess in 2004-05 was one of the reasons Darko Milicic never had a chance to develop in Detroit. Will keeping McDyess around prevent Maxiell and Johnson from breaking out? It's possible, but the lack of a true center on this roster outside of Nazr Mohammed often results in McDyess seeing time at the five. Besides, if Johnson fills out, he could end up seeing time at center, and if Maxiell keeps the 30 pounds he shed this summer off, he could see at least some time at small forward.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 28th NBA Draft.

The Pistons are at a crossroads. With just one NBA title to show after five trips to the Conference Finals, they're now one of the league's oldest teams in a division with two of the league's up-and-coming-est teams (the Bulls and Cavs).

To re-tool on the fly and preserve their place among the league's true contenders, the team needs to get younger and more athletic -- and soon. Fortunately, they have two first-round picks: the 15th (courtesy of the Magic) as well as the 27th.

Needs: Pretty much everything but power forward. The team hasn't had a legitimate backup point guard in years, and considering there's at least a chance Chauncey Billups leaves, they might be in need of a starter. Following the Carlos Delfino trade, the team could use a swingman to backup Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince -- though there's always a chance Joe Dumars plans to address that need via free agency (Grant Hill? Morris Peterson?).

Oh, and a starting center would be nice, considering Chris Webber isn't expected to return and the only other option currently on the roster is Nazr Mohammed.

Though he was probably hoping to be traded before the deadline, Nazr Mohammed is still a member of the Pistons, which means he's still the fifth big man in a crowded front court. He knows that he has little chance to play any significant minutes, but if he had his way, he'd rather not be bothered with the "insignificant" minutes, as well. From the Detroit News:

"I don't like the garbage minutes, I can tell you that," Mohammed said. "If he calls on me, I will play. But they might as well have Amir (Johnson) out there. He would get more out of those minutes than I would."

Saunders understands that. But he doesn't accept it.

"My dad wasn't keen on getting up at six o'clock in the morning to get to work, either," Saunders said. "We all have jobs and there are things you just have to do. When you are called upon to play, whether it's the first quarter or the last, that's what you have to do.

"As I have told players before, if you are willing to pick up your paycheck, then you should be willing to play when you are called upon to play."

While most Pistons fans are itching to see what teenager Amir Johnson can do as well (especially after the front office deemed him untouchable in trade talks), he's still a bit of a project and not quite ready to contribute to a championship contender. Mohammed, on the other hand, is a veteran who should know his role on the team, even if it's just to prevent an injury to one of the starters late in the game.