Brandon Knight Happy To Be In Detroit, Despite Initial Reaction"/>
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Not to say that the newly crowned Detroit Pistons player was not a little bit joyous about having his name called amongst the drones of other athletes biting their fingernails. But, if he was, there was no way of telling.
When Knight’s name was called he stood up just as the other seven prospects before him did. However, the difference was that the smirk on his face paled in comparison to the Chesire Cat grin that Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams showcased across their faces as they walked up on stage and shook hands with David Stern. I understand the hypothesis brought forth that he may have not wanted to fall to the eighth spot when he worked out with numerous teams leading up to the draft and thought that he may have gone higher.
Still, you would think that having your name called after being invited to Draft ceremony would allow at least a spark of happiness to creep onto your face. The night is over and the last name was called. Afterwards, during his official introduction alongside second round picks Vernon Macklin and Kyle Singler he addressed the issue of his stern reaction to being drafted by Detroit.
“I’m definitely happy to be here in Detroit,” Knight said. “It’s great feeling to be picked by Detroit. It’s a great city with a great tradition.
“I think I reacted that way because I’m just a serious guy and that’s always been my nature to be calm and collected. Like I said, there’s a great tradition here. They have won three championships and I’m hoping we can add to that.”
So, what’s next for Brandon Knight?
Detroit Pistons
Now, that he has probably gotten over the sting of falling out of the top five and taking his talents to the Detroit Pistons, he can have a hand in repairing the image of the Motor City’s franchise. He can start first by letting people know that his talents exceed the range of the last moments of the game. His clutch performance in the NCAA tournament was impressive, but being ineffective for a majority of the game will not work in the big leagues.
Don’t misconstrue what I am saying. Knight has a lot of potential to be a great NBA guard, but predicting that he would go higher than what he did on Thursday was a bit naïve. There were times where he created highlights, but then again there were times where he was shut down by amateur defenses. He only scored 9 points against Ohio State. Although Kentucky went on to win the game, the defensive prowess of Josh Harrellson, drafted by Charlotte Bobcats, and DeAndre Liggins, drafted by Orlando Magic, were the lasting impressions from that game.
Knight was not the defined leader of the squad and that must be taken into account on his way into the league.
The Detroit Pistons need him to score primarily. However, to say that his entrance could signal Ben Gordon’s exit, as Detroit Free Press columnist Drew Sharp so eloquently put it, is a far stretch from the truth. It will take Knight’s offseason training and dedication to prove that he will be able to outperform Gordon on the court.
AP File Photo
Apparently, Joe Dumars is already sold, as reported by TrueHoops Contributor Henry Abbott.
“Chauncey can stand out there and shoot with the best of them, and this kid, that’s what he does,” [Joe] Dumars said. “He can really, really shoot the ball. … He’s going to be one of those point guards that when you name the best shooting point guards, he’s going to be one of those guys.”
I understand that rookies are usually not drafted in the top ten to sit on the bench, but Joe Dumars has enough mistakes on his plate without adding an unprepared rookie start to the totem pole. Brandon Knight may have proved himself in the clutch minutes in some NCAA Tournament games. But, the Pistons need someone who will adjust to a primary role with the organization and be a consistent producer.
If he does not do that, what makes him different than aging Richard Hamilton who can occasionally shoot a nice three?
Detroit is recovering from a number of mediocre seasons and are looking to rebuild and return to glory. Knight can be the key if he steps up to the plate and grinds like he knew he would be here all along.
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