Much ado about nothing

I know I'm a week late on writing about the first domino to fall in the Detroit Pistons eventful off season, but better late than never, right?

Carlos Delfino was traded to the Toronto Raptors for a ball rack, a pair of Reebok pumps, and 2 second round picks that are so far in the future that they'll be used on kids currently in preschool.

When Delfino was first drafted, we were told that he would be the next Manu Ginobli. Turned out that the only thing they had in common was they were both Argentinian. We were led to believe that Delfino was a slashing scorer, with an outside shot to boot. It turned out the only thing Delfino did consistently was commit stupid fouls, and we rarely, if ever, saw that slashing scorer.

Defino had more "Gum time" than playing time as a Piston.

Nothing ever changed with Delfino. Every summer we would read that Delfino trashed the Pistons in some South American newspaper, saying he was not getting enough playing time. Every fall we would read that he was misinterpreted or misquoted, telling the local beat guys that he was thrilled to be a Piston. Every winter we would see why Delfino's playing time was sporadic. Every spring the fans would be told by the Pistons that NEXT season would be the season the bench would be developed, and then we would see how good Delfino really could be.

Once the season ended, that illogical circle would begin anew.

Just like the infamous Darko, Delfino was never going to live up to his potential in Detroit. It was time for Dumars to cut bait. By basically telling the Raptors to just make an offer, ANY OFFER, and you can have "The next Manu Ginobli," the Pistons finally realized what Defino had already known for a couple of years, that he wasn't a good fit.

Delfino won't be missed, and we can only hope that his open roster spot gets used wisely.

If giving away Delfino for a box of lopsided basketballs means that there will be a roster spot available for Grant Hill, I'm all for it. Give Hill a backcourt role much like the role that Antonio McDyess fills on the front line.

Say what you will about Hill's injury history, that injury history also means that there is still some tread left on the tires. Play Hill 18-20 minutes a night, and watch those minutes carefully, much as they already do with Dice, and the Pistons become a much, much better team. Hill to the Pistons makes too much sense for it not to happen.

Considering how Hill left Detroit in the dust long ago, I never, ever thought I'd be saying bringing him back makes sense. Then again, the NBA never makes much sense, and it also makes for strange bedfellows.