Comments on: 3-on-3: Pistons’ bench

By: Jameson Draper

Jameson Draper — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:08:09 +0000

That lineup could work, but you have to remember how much more of an asset to the team Stuckey became once he was benched.

By: esrom

esrom — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:33:24 +0000

Ideally Kravtzov would be ready to provide some of what Drummond adds to the second unit. Size, rebounding and defense at least. Is he that far away from being NBA ready?

By: Crispus

Crispus — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:48:24 +0000

2/3. But he’s gaining confidence now, on this unit, before our eyes. He’s got the tools man, that’s why nobody can really bring themselves to write him off. We might joke about Durant Lite and Gay Lite but it’s not inconceivable for him to become a player who’s unique offensive skills and body type mask his shortcomings. I’m not saying we run out to sign him to a fat extension, but don’t push him out the door for a second round pick when he still has untapped potential and the respect of coach Frank.

4. Tayshaun is playing well and stabilizing the team, but let’s face it he’s really slow and he’s only going to get slower. Right now the starting unit’s biggest problem is that they are all really slow and undynamic, except Knight who just turns the ball over a lot. Maybe We don’t need to get rid of Prince AND Maxiell, but we can’t keep both, it just means giving up too much athleticism in exchange for smart, conservative play. That might work for the Spurs, but we’re not the Spurs.

5. JJ might have more consistency, but Daye has more upside, and to this point, is having a better season. What does Jerebko do besides running around? We already have Singler doing that, but Singler is more crafty and a better shooter. Maybe if he became a good defender or something he’d fight his way back in, but I fail to see what he really adds as an energetic guy who doesn’t have any specialties.

The way to get English some PT is to clear the SF logjam so that Singler can play there and English can get minutes at SG. If Prince or Daye end up going it should create an opportunity. Obviously we have different desires on that front.

By: Crispus

Crispus — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:35:48 +0000

Here, let’s make a list of each unit’s strengths and weaknesses and see who we can shuffle to bring the units into equilibrium:

Starters:

Strengths
-Play within themselves
-…

Weaknesses
-Slow
-Turnover Axis (Monroe & Knight)
-Pathetic Post Defense
-Poor Pick & Roll Defense
-Don’t Space the Floor Well on Offense
-No Real PG
-Disjointed and Unengaging (to fans and players alike)
-Mediocre 3pt Shooting

Bench:

Strengths
-Long Frontcourt
-Playmaking PGs (Stuckey or Bynum)
-Two Deadly 3pt Shooters (and Stuckey, who thinks he is)
-Positive ‘Drummond Effect’ on Post and Pick & Roll D
-Hustle, Enthusiasm, Joy, Redemption
-Alley Oop Threat with Drummond
-Wide Open style Makes Everyone Play Better

Weaknesses
-No Real 2nd Big on Defense
-Bynum & Stuckey can get out of Control
-No Low-Post Offense (Not Counting Putbacks)

I’m actually buffaloed as to how to make adjustments here. I’ll just take a goofy stab at it:

Starters:
Stuckey
Daye
Singler
Monroe
Drummond

Bench:
Bynum
Knight
Prince
Villanueva
Maxiell(/Kravtzov?)

As you can see, Maxiell has to go.

By: piston moribund

piston moribund — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:29:07 +0000

Several reasons to not keep Daye.
1. Already stated, we have players waiting who are just as unproven.
2. How long do you wait for someone to come around. If anything, his overall numbers should point to the fact that he is not consistent. Any scrub in the NBA has the talent to have good games, but keeping it up is why they make the roster. We are a third through the season and he has had one really good game and two ok games for someone coming off the bench. The issue is never about physical talent, he doesnt have to head to compete day in and day out. Mental toughness is much harder to overcome then physical shortcomings, ie max and bulwinkle.
3. He will command more then 4mil to retain his rights next year, not what i call cheap. If you really want to keep him, then you let his contract expire and see what the market value is. Guessing its not even close to
4. Tay’s value seemed over rated when he signed but it seems that he does have real value in terms of stability. Trading Prince would mean that winning is no longer in the equation. Just a really knee jerk reaction.
5. I am guessing that they sign JJ to a real contract because they think he has something to contribute. There is just no room for him in the rotation right now but definitely a more consistent performer then Daye and not much of a difference in age.
I really enjoy the dynamics of this new/old group but perspective and history needs to be maintained in order to chart the direction of the roster in the long run.

By: Crispus

Crispus — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:03:32 +0000

Keep Daye! He’s young and he’s inexpensive and his ceiling still looks really really high. I would rather part with Maxiell, Tayshaun and Jerebko.

By: Stuckey and Whoever

Stuckey and Whoever — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:09:12 +0000

As much as Drummond needs to start, its more of an issue of just getting his minutes up. And why mess up a good thing. No doubt he needs to close games, but both line ups need him. Its more about the finish anyway. Just as Stuckey closes more games and gets more minutes than Singler. Do the same thing with Dre. I feel the balance is the best it has been in a long time with both line ups. Until we get more players why mess with it, because I don’t think you can anyway. Because if both of them start I think it is bye bye bench. Dre should be leading or be in the top three in minutes. Great work on the 3 on 3!

By: tile

tile — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:48:55 +0000

I think the problem is that the second unit has been playing so well and the main reason for this is Drummond more than any of the other guys. This will keep Drummond on the bench for as long as it looks like our bench is superior to the opposing teams’ bench most of the nights. As much as I would like to see Moose and Dre together more, I also believe that it would take a Maxiell trade for that to happen.

By: piston moribund

piston moribund — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:42:28 +0000

We really need to trade Daye!!! and insert English since he is more likely to be on the team next year. With that said, the bench has way more options and firepower then the starters. Everyone on the bench can score in different ways and are way more athletic. The starters are handicapped by Maxi’s height and the utter lack of athleticism from Bulwinkle. UGH, really really painful to watch. I now look forward to watching the Pistons play only because of the second unit. Now if only someone can get Daye some Lithium and my daye will be complete.

By: DoctorDave

DoctorDave — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:28:13 +0000

What has been the most important way the bench has helped the Pistons lately?
This is easy; the answer is given in one word: HOPE. While helping to win games, the future of hope of better things to come is, right now, better than winning. Three ways these guys have provided for future hope – 1) Drummond’s play gives great hope of what he will eventually become. The comparisons to Dwight Howard are no longer fanciful. 2) Stuckey’s rejuvenated play with the 2unit gives hope that he can be a legitimate part of a championship 3-guard rotation a la Vinne Johnson. 3) Lawrence Frank has actually gotten productive minutes from the garbage pile of players (AD & CV). Now, don’t get me wrong: I don’t hope those two players will pan out and become part of a viable playoff squad. Rather, I have hope that Lawrence Frank can coach because of what he has gotten out of those two.
Who will be the Pistons’ Sixth Man of the Year this season, using the NBA rule that the award winner must come off the bench more than he starts?
Draper and Feldman are guessing based on what they think will happen. Hayes has the (correct!) answer based on right now. So, let me change the question: “Who is the current Pistons’ Sixth Man of the Year… not named Drummond?” That’s a better question.
The answer has got to be Stuckey. When relegated to the bench, his Piston future looked murky. Now? Looks to me like he needs to be starting again.
Will the bench’s quality play continue throughout the year?
If there is an “over/under” on this, I take the “under.” I take the “way under.” Drummond is heading to the starting unit; Stuckey should be, too. Put Maxiell and Singler on the 2unit, and even if everything else is equal, the 2unit is just not as good. But everything won’t stay equal. Bynum is streaky; so, following a hot streak, you get a cold one. It’s simply the law of averages. And if that is true: what about Daye and Charlie? Neither are as bad as 2012; but do you think both of them can continue to play as they have? One of them? Maybe. Two of them? Nope.