The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge participants were announced today and our guy Arron Afflalo was not on the roster. I personally think he should have got the nod over Mike Conley of the Grizzlies (although I might be a tad biased). Mike Conley is a fine young player, but he’s only been in 19 total games because of injury. Arron might only be averaging 3.4 ppg but he’s playing behind Chauncey and Rip. He’s played 42 of the Pistons 45 total games this year. Cracking the line up on this team isn’t all that easy either. Just ask Darko, Amir Johnson, and Jason Maxiell before this year.

He’s plays hard and smart doing a lot of the intangibles that don’t show up in the boxscores. Plus the league should want representatives for their best teams whenever available. Hopefully he can use this as some motivation and there’s always the sophomore team next season.

I just wanted to see some recognition for a guy who works as hard as Arron does.  Go Pistons.

PistonsNation.com recently scored an interview with Detroit Pistons’ rookie guard Arron Afflalo. We’re very appreciative for Arron taking time out to answer a few questions for our modest fan site. So, without further ado:

[PN] Your first name is spelled with double rr’s as opposed to the more common double aa’s. Any story behind that?

[AA] No, not really. My parents just liked that spelling better, so they went with it.

[PN] What players did you try to emulate as a kid?

[AA] Byron Scott was definitely one of my inspirations growing up. I loved how he played the game and he’s why I wore #4 at UCLA. Then Kobe Bryant came along and I instantly fell in love with his game, so I tried to model a lot of my game after his.

[PN] How surprised were you that the Pistons selected with their #27 pick after never even working you out?

[AA] Not too surprised. I heard that they liked me and that if I was there at 27, they would take a look at me. But I was ready to expect the unexpected going in because anything can happen on draft day.

[PN] You’re noted as a perimeter threat and a good defender, what would you like to add to your game for this next level?

[AA] I would like to improve my athleticism in general. The NBA has the greatest athletes in the world, so I know I’m going to have to improve that part of my game to keep up. But with a great staff here in Detroit coupled with hard work, I’m confident that can be improved.

[PN] What have your fellow L.A. bred teammates Tay & Amir Johnson told about what to expect about Michigan living?

[AA] They told me the weather isn’t as good in Detroit as in Los Angeles, but I’ll get used to it eventually.

[PN] What did you take away from the Vegas Summer League about some of your new teammates?

[AA] My new teammates are great players and great people. They’re all hard workers either trying to make the team or trying to keep their spot on the team. I’ll have my work cut out to try to make the team myself.

[PN] You’ve got a pretty impressive collegiate resume, but the first thing I think of is you trying to help a very emotional Adam Morrison off the floor as your Bruins were in the process of defeating Gonzaga in the ‘06 sweet sixteen. What did you say to him?

[AA] I just told him to pick his head up and that he played a great game. He had nothing to be ashamed of. He was one my toughest covers of my career at UCLA.

[PN] It’s expected that you’ll get some burn with the Pistons’ new D-League affiliate The Fort Wayne Mad Ants. First off how ’bout that team name? Secondly, are you going to approach that the same way you would spelling Rip or Chauncey?

[AA] That’s a great name. I’m thinking the Pistons should consider switching names with the Mad Ants. I’m just going to take on each challenge as it comes. If that means playing in the D-League, then I’ll gladly try to make the best out of that situation.

[PN] Thanks so much for doing this interview. We’ll be pulling for you in the red, white, & Pistons’ blue.

[AA] Thank you.

PN interview archive

This week’s TGI(YT)F is an interview rookie Arron Afflalo did with John Hanson of ESPN radio. Nothing too in depth here but Arron does talk about getting to learn from Chauncey & Rip as well as knowing his new teammate ‘Sheed has his back. There’s also a lot of UCLA ribbing being done by Hanson.

Meet the Pistons’ 2007 draft class.

Rodney Stuckey - Named Honorable Mention All-America by The Associated Press his freshman and sophomore seasons and earned All-Big Sky Conference honors both years. Named Big Sky Most Valuable Player as a freshman. Currently ranks fourth in Eastern Washington history in scoring with 1,438 career points. Also holds the highest career scoring average in school history (24.3 ppg), while ranking fourth in assist average (4.8 apg), fourth in steals (137) and fifth in free throw percentage (.806). Has scored 20 or more points 41 times and has surpassed the 30-point mark 15 times. Sat out the 2004-05 season at Eastern Washington while establishing academic eligibility.

Arron Afflalo - Earned Consensus First Team All-America honors and was a member of the Wooden All-American Team as a junior. Also named Pac-10 Player of the Year. Earned First Team All-Conference honors his sophomore and junior years. Finished collegiate career as the 17th all-time leading scorer in UCLA history with 1,540 points. Also ranks 2nd all-time in three-point field goals made (209) and attempted (560).

Sammy Mejia - Earned Second Team All-Big East Conference honors as a senior. Finished collegiate career as DePaul’s ninth all-time leading scorer with 1,494 points. Also ranks second in minutes played (3,839), fourth in games played (123), sixth in assists (396), sixth in three-point field goals attempted (351) and ninth in three-point field goals made (115). Is the second player in school history, joining Tom Kleinschmidt (1991-95), to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, 100 steals and 100 three-point field goals in a career.