Summers Making Pistons Look Good

LAS VEGAS -- After watching DaJuan Summers, who curiously fell to 35th in last month's NBA Draft, score 24 points with seven rebounds in 33 minutes in a Summer League win over Sacramento, assistant coach Darrell Walker made a declaration.

"Summers is a player and I don't know how he goes 35 in the draft," Walker said after Detroit's 86-77 win Friday at Cox Pavilion. "Things happen in the NBA Draft. I ain't crazy, I understand that but he's a legitimate NBA player. And I think he's going to get some legitimate minutes."

Summers was by far the best player on the court. He played on the perimeter and in the paint. He distributed the ball. He committed one turnover and stuck his hand to deflect passes. Georgetown players generally make solid NBA players because of their all-around skills and Summers resembles Oklahoma City forward Jeff Green.

Summers opted to leave Georgetown and slid to the second round like a couple of other notable early entries. The Pistons, who have fared well with late-first round and second-round picks in recent years -- Tayshaun Prince, Jason Maxiell, Carlos Delfino, Mehmet Okur -- may have another future standout

"To me it's a luxury to have a guy who can play both positions," Walker said. "Some nights he's going to be able to play the [power forward] and he's definitely a [small forward], no doubt about that . And what he brings is another big who can shoot the basketball."

Walker continued with his adulation.

"I am going to say this one more time: I never seen him play in college. I never saw his workouts. He's NBA ready. I'm sure he's going to going to have some knocks and ups and downs, but he's NBA ready. He's a player."