Detroit Pistons media day recap 2023: Troy Weaver, Monty Williams, players speak

Ivey on Monty: "I’m blessed to be able to say he’s going to be my coach. I have so much gratitude that I will get to learn from him, build a relationship with him and it’s something that over my career I haven't seen. It leaves me speechless because he’s such an amazing person."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Ivey on getting point guard reps with Cade out last year: "It helped me a lot, honestly, being able to get those reps on the ball. I talked about it last year, I didn’t get as many point guard reps in college. That was something I was still learning."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Morris: "To me, this city just loves guys that play hard. That lay it out on the line every night. That’s where the respect comes from. I can’t control my shots and when I make them and miss them, but I can control my heart."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Morris on what he's seen from the young players so far: "Just talent. So much talent as far as teams I’ve been on. Definitely one of the two teams I’ve been on where the pickup games, they’re very competitive. Both courts competing."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Flint native Monte Morris on finally putting on a Pistons jersey: "I feel good. Definitely feel surreal. Just feel great. I know the whole state is behind me and I’m excited. Just feels good to put on the red white and blue, especially watching it as a kid."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Bojan Bogdanovic: "This was my first summer off without any games for my national games. I had a pretty good three or four months off. Didn’t even know what to do during some parts of my summer. It was casual, working out in the morning and spending time with family and friends."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Bogdanovic: "Last year, record-wise was pretty bad. Our rookies and the young guys had a great opportunity to play heavy minutes and be the primary ballhandler, the star in their roles. That’s going to help this season with a healthy Cade, a completely different story."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Killian on what he's seen from Ausar defensively: "How explosive he is. He can be late and make a mistake, but he’s going to recover and affect the offensive play."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Killian Hayes on his offseason work: "The focus has been shooting, conditioning, coming in here ready because we have a whole different scheme, whole different coaching staff … it’s been a great summer and ready to get going."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Livers on if the team will improve defensively: "You know me, it’s no excuses. You can be better at defense just watching film, not even of yourself but of other successful defenses. Watch the top-five defenses in the playoffs."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Livers said he got hurt during a pickup game last week, just a fluke play where someone stepped on his ankle. He's not in a walking boot or using crutches. "Obviously I wish I could’ve avoided it at all cost. Control what you can control."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Joe Harris on his role: "I don’t know and haven’t discussed that, but to be honest I’m not overly concerned with it. Whether it’s playing 15 minutes or not playing at all, I think I can add value in any way."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Joe Harris: "We talked about how they’re trying to build up the culture here. I know that’s a buzz word that gets thrown around a lot. They talked about incorporating some veteran guys around the young core. Guys who have a good reputation around the league."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Asked Duren if he'll have the freedom to shoot: "Coach Monty just stressed he wants us to be ourselves, while being disciplined and doing the right things. There’s no handcuffs on nobody. I just try to make the right plays. If I have it, I’ll take it. If not, then I won’t."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Duren on his defensive growth from last year: "Honestly just learning more about the league and how to guard and the rotations and different schemes. Locking in on that, watching a lot of film over the summer, watching a lot of our games and dissecting everything."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Sasser on the vibe of the team this offseason: "It’s close to college. A lot of people say when you get to the league is that it’s individual, but the vibe I got is that it’s like a family. We all hang out together, we all have each other’s backs."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Asked Ausar what he likes about Detroit: "I like how it has deep roots. Everyone’s prideful, you meet someone from Detroit and they’re very prideful about it. They love their teams. I went to a baseball game and they got killed, but fans were enjoying it and it was good to see."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Ausar on the vet he's spent the most time with: "Joe Harris. That’s my locker mate too, that’s my guy. He just gives me little things he’s learned and he’s going on his 11th year, so he’s giving me things he’s learned. Especially playing with the greats — LeBron, Kyrie."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Asked Ausar if he's ready to defend the best players: "Definitely, I’m very confident. I want to guard the best player every night. I always felt like a pretty good defender but I felt like I learned from summer league."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Ausar on Cade: "He doesn’t seem like he’s 22. He seems like a 10-year vet, just the way he conducts himself. His leadership is crazy for someone so young."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Ausar on how he's progressed since summer league: "The whole team was with each other a lot — in LA, at the practice facility working out every day. He gave us little things we can work on as a team, and we’ve been doing it for a long time."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Bagley on Williams: "When you have a leader like that who can show us how to be a playoff team, how to be in those big moments, it’s definitely a blessing."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Bagley said beyond shooting and strength and conditioning, he focused on his mental health this summer. "We always focus on the physical and getting stronger, all the things of this game. But for me, it was more clearing my mind, figuring out more about myself."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Bagley said he's seen the "seeds being planted" this offseason. "I see the energy is different from when I’ve been here, in a positive way. The main thing for us is figuring out how to maintain that when the season goes up and down, adversity hits."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Burks on Ausar's defense: "I think he’s ready. I’ve played a lot of pickup with him. He’s ready. He’s a great defender, big body. I think he’s ready to defend the best players in the league on a nightly basis."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Burks on what he's seen from the group: "Just being more mature. These kids, well they’re not kids, but these young adults are growing up as men and as basketball players."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Stewart: "When you see the Lions, the games and the fans are crazy, they’re off to a great start, that definitely gives us some fuel. We want to be one of those teams in Detroit, too."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Stewart on Cade: "He’s looked great this summer, strong and getting back to doing what he’s great at. He’s been great getting in some reps this summer and playing some games with him."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Stewart: "I definitely see myself more as a power forward now, especially having this group of bigs. A key this summer, even after talking to coach Monty is continuing to get comfortable with certain things he’ll have me doing at the 4."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Cade on Ausar: "He plays winning basketball. He connects the floor really well. His playmaking ability should be talked about more, because he’s a willing passer but he’s able to read the floor really well. And the way he gets after it on the defense will be huge from day one."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Cade smiled when asked what he hopes to accomplish with Duren this season. "A lot. A lot."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Cade on his relationship with Williams: "We see a lot of things the same way. The main thing, I like how he carries himself outside of coaching. Just the way he goes about connecting with people, I think it’s amazing to watch. It’s easy to follow behind someone like that."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Cade on his goals: "I want to be a great leader, I want to be the best teammate I can be. I want the team to be able to defend at a high level, and the guard spot is where it starts off."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Williams on Killian Hayes' role: "I think we’ll find out. There’s going to be a great deal of competition. Everybody’s going to get a shot to show they deserve to play."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Williams said Duren will have opportunities to play power forward when the Pistons go big. "It’s on him to be good at rotating on the backside. I think that’s something he’s capable of doing with more reps."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Williams on Duren's defensive growth: "His communication is much further along then most young guys. His understanding of the defensive end, the coverages that he has to call out and be in, his ability to guard the ball and want to guard the ball."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Williams on what he's seen from Cade as a leader: "I think you can still see some of that stuff in the offseason, the way he handles certain situations, the way he talks to his teammates. He has an understanding that he has a big voice, and he uses it well in my opinion."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Williams on Cade: "I've been really impressed with his level of coachability. Doesn’t matter what coach he’s with or what drill he’s doing, it’s almost like he’s still in high school when he’s out there working."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Monty Williams: "I walk in the gym every day feeling like we have a gym full of guys working like we’re in a contract year."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Weaver on Isaiah Stewart's extension: "You always want to have a player or players on the team who are symbols for what you want to be about, and he’s that on and off the floor. Who he is as a person and what he brings to practice, what he brings as a teammate."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Weaver on plans for the open roster spot: "Not sure yet, trying to figure it out. Trying to keep our flexibility. We just want to add the right player to the mix. I can’t put a finger on position, but I know what attributes we want in a player."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Weaver on if he thinks the Pistons can make the play-in next season: "I’m not going to say no. We want to get after it every game. I don’t want to put a cap on our team, but I’m expecting to compete every night."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Weaver on Cade Cunningham: "He can really explode off of that leg and play with his mind being free of not having to worry about his leg. He’s stepping into being healthy. He’s the lynchpin of what we’re doing and we’re excited … he has a chance to be a big time player."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Weaver: "Competition in-house is the best thing for us to grow. Veterans, they need young guys that keep them on their toes and the young guys need veterans to keep them on their toes. But coach Williams will put the best player on the floor."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Weaver on trading for Monte Morris and Joe Harris: "They’ve played in the playoffs, they’ve been on winning teams. That experience adds to the group and we’re excited about what they bring."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Weaver on rebuilding: "It’s not easy for ownership, not easy for the fans. But we’re building it the right way so we can have a sustained model. We don’t want to microwave this process. We want to put it in the oven and make sure all the ingredients got cooked the right way."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Weaver: "(The young players') mental capacity is a big part of where we see growth. We have a team now where very few teams can walk in, and I feel like we have enough physically now. Now we need to develop mentally and sustain those efforts so we can become a real team."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023

Weaver: "If you watched us play, we competed in a lot of games but we didn’t have enough discipline, sustaining what it took to win games. That dripped into our defense and that’s a big part of our development."

— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) October 2, 2023