View Full Version : Pistons rotation competitions
insidehoops
09-29-2015, 08:13 AM
The competition at shooting guard between Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jodie Meeks, anticipated but unfulfilled when Meeks was injured in last year's training camp, could be revisited, though Van Gundy said Caldwell-Pope goes into camp as the starter. Marcus Morris and Stanley Johnson at small forward is another key, with Morris the projected starter but the first-round rookie Johnson expected to fill a rotation spot and get opportunity for more. Morris playing some at power forward, with Johnson at small forward, is one of many looks the Pistons figure to employ. The other key competition is for backup point guard, a critical spot behind Jackson, particularly while Jennings recovers. Veteran Steve Blake goes into camp ahead of second-year Dinwiddie on the depth chart.
-- Michigan Live
Aussie Dunker
09-30-2015, 06:33 AM
Really want KCP starting - superior defense and still unknown to what his true ceiling could be, so would like to keep him locked in as the starter to continue his development arc,
I think Meeks is a great shooter, and great bench scorer - as a starting 2-guard I think he is a below average starter, and I think as a player we have seen the full potential of what he has to offer. I think he could average 10 - 13 ppg off the bench, and be a late game sniper when needed.
Meeks isn't a starter in the NBA. KCP still has some potential for growth. I want that spot to be his. I really hope Johnson can take over the starting SF spot eventually.
Aussie Dunker
10-07-2015, 03:41 PM
Who looked more like a starter yesterday, Morris or Stanley?...... (Rhetorical question obviously)...
Stanley is making it VERY hard for SVG to roll into the season with Morris as the starter,
There is actually nothing more Stanley could have done / shown since he was drafted #8 by us.
Just yesterday in his first competitive hit out against pros (not counting summer league) he was able to actually do a decent job of guarding George (one of the top 5 hardest guys to guard in this league, in my opinion) and able to handle the ball a whole lot better / pass a whole lot better than what people projected when he was drafted (not just assists, but making the right pass at the right time). And his deep shooting looks strong thus far, again, ahead of what people projected it would be...
Either way, Stanley will be getting a lot of minutes at the 3, 2 and some 4 - depending on matchups.
p.s Bullock and Meeks looked nice off the bench, Bullock's defense being a highlight for me...
Stanley looked far better than Morris. It wasn't even close. I've never been a big Morris fan. His brother is much better.
Aussie Dunker
10-07-2015, 06:15 PM
His brother is more of a 4, better deep shooter and slightly bigger body - would work well sharing minutes with Ersan at PF,
Marcus at the 4 is still somewhat unproven, but will work with our lineup IF he can improve his deep shooting - this is where i'd like him to play mostly, Ersan 25 mins and Marcus 13 mins, with Baynes 5 mins (with 10 or so at the C) and Tolliver 5 mins
I think we will play a lot of "small ball" this year, which is kind of the trend the NBA is heading in anyway.
Even if Marcus is the starter, I expect Stanley will get the majority of minutes at SF, I think he could average 25 minutes as a rookie, he ticks all the boxes that are important to SVG, him and KCP could develop into the highest energy / motor / gritty wing tandem in the league - they both play with such hustle and passion.
ZMonkey11
10-08-2015, 07:15 AM
I liked how SVG went ahead and let Stanley play PG. Kid had good poise and didn't make many mistakes. Kid is going to be impressive. This team has hope
Aussie Dunker
10-08-2015, 08:30 PM
I love how crisp his passing is - nothing fancy or flash - but seems to make the right pass with good accuracy, another thing that seperates him from Morris at SF - i'm guessing ball movement will be a high priority with SVG especially playing 1 in 4 out bball...
If SVG doesn't start him the first game of the season I hope it doesn't take as long as we originally figured it might to have him starting. Right now he looks like he's a far better player than Morris.
Aussie Dunker
10-09-2015, 07:44 AM
Right now he looks like the best player on our team, period...
If there is one thing I have learnt about SVG is that he is logical (cutting Smith for example) and not afraid to make the big decisions. Would not surprise me if he were to reneg on his stance to start Morris in favor of starting Stanley who has exceed all expectations and is playing far superior ball than Morris...
I was disappointed to see how poorly Dre shot last night. I expect more of him in the preseason. Hopefully it's just a fluke and his offensive game will be better. Without a great offensive game he'll never be a superstar.
boozehound
10-10-2015, 01:18 AM
I was disappointed to see how poorly Dre shot last night. I expect more of him in the preseason. Hopefully it's just a fluke and his offensive game will be better. Without a great offensive game he'll never be a superstar.
That ship has already sailed IMO. His offense will never be better than passable/average. Thats good enough. He is not a superstar, but he sure could be a key player on a very good team. Still needs better defense as well.
That ship has already sailed IMO. His offense will never be better than passable/average. Thats good enough. He is not a superstar, but he sure could be a key player on a very good team. Still needs better defense as well.
Look at what DeAndre Jordan got paid. Then think about what Dre will get paid. It's a shame for someone to be so limited offensively with that kind of potential. It could end up being an issue.
Aussie Dunker
10-10-2015, 05:51 PM
I think he has far better tough than Jordan, he does have somewhat soft hands, just is yet to develop that "go to" move. The kid is only 22 probably still getting use to such a hulk of a body - I think he will improve further but he will never be an Al Jefferson or Marc Gasol. I'm just thinking he can be far better offensively than the Chandlers / Jordans / perkins of the world.
I think he will max out at around 17 ppg in the coming seasons, which would be enough
Aussie Dunker
10-11-2015, 10:26 PM
Morris looked a whole heap better yesterday - but I am still not sold - his game is a carbon copy of Carmelo's (obviously far inferior), relies a lot on iso face up's just inside the 3 point line, a quick dribble move then rise and shoot. He made most of his shot yesterday which was positive, but I know it is going to be frustrating throughout the season when he is missing them. It does remind me of how Josh Smith would iso up take a dribble or two then throw up a brick, Morris is a lot better mid range shooter than Smith, thankfully.
I really like the look of Ersan, we roll a lot through him on offense, he is an underated ball "holder" and passer,
Dinwiddie looked aggressive, I liked his 4th qtr - I think we roll with him over Blake
Bullock looked real good too off the bench, played good D (real good D) and is a dangerous shooter. I can see SVG giving him minutes at the start of the season.
Aussie Dunker
10-14-2015, 10:25 PM
The mid range J on Morris is looking wet! Very nice - very confident in his face up from deep dribble move pull up - working so far.
Meeks looking very active and at hoe off the bench, facilitating better than I have seen in years past.
Bullock is making a habit of being in the right place at the right time - very smooth jumpshot and fits the teams high energy defense first attitude.
Was happy with the limited time Baynes was on the floor - geez he is a wide unit, those screens, ouch
Reggie is quietly having a pretty good pre-season too...
ZMonkey11
10-15-2015, 08:22 PM
Ah you saw the Bulls game? I heard it wasn't streamed so didn't even bother looking.
Aussie Dunker
10-18-2015, 05:43 PM
Yep I got a stream via firsrow sports, needless to say not much work got done in the office that day!
Aussie Dunker
10-21-2015, 09:30 PM
Morris is going to be the most frustrating player on our team this year, huge gap between his best and worst. When he is making shots he is pretty lethal, when he isn't hitting his shots he is more or less a black hole, selfish player who jut jacks up bricks.
I could see Dre getting frustrated at him today because he doesn't make the pass to the open man, rather opts to take it himself.... hrmmm
I knew it was brilliant to sign all those players to guaranteed contracts.
http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/10/23/pistons-waive-cartier-martin-who-had-fully-guaranteed-salary/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs
One of the highest payrolls in the NBA and we're one of the few that's not a contender.
It was good to see the guys knock down 16 three pointers tonight. Too bad Atlanta mainly played scrubs. I think Bullock has definitely done enough to make the team. He actually deserves a chance to get some playing time too. He's got enough size he can play the 3 some. I think that helps his chances. The lineup having Morris and Johnson starting at PF and SF seemed to work. I have a feeling Morris is going to play a decent amount there. That helps get Stanley and Reggie more minutes.
Big signing today!!!
[QUOTE]Vincent Ellis: #Pistons announce signing of UConn PG Ryan Boatwright. Source says plan is to sign, waive and then assign to Grand Rapids.
Aussie Dunker
10-25-2015, 08:31 PM
Yeah the Hawks were pretty awful without their starters.
Bullock's most impressive trait to me so far is he just knows where to be on the arc, always moving around to get to a spot where he is wide open.
Dre looks to be a more capable passer this year, was zinging those post passes when he was getting doubled - no doubt an emphasis of his this off-season.
Morris looked so slow, so I agree with him being more a PF - don't think we can afford to play him at SF for long spells.
And me oh my, Steve Blake looked like Steve Nash out there, his vision.... wowee
Looks like Bullock is going to get some PT.
[QUOTE]Keith Langlois: Meeks has a Jones fracture of his foot .. Bullock going to get more chances now. No timetable on recovery yet
Aussie Dunker
10-29-2015, 06:08 PM
I like this,
I just saw an article on trade predictions and it had Taj Gibson coming to Detroit for Brandon Jennings. The Pistons need a 4 and the Bulls need a Derrick Rose backup. Plus the Bulls have Portis who they obviously really like and want to give more PT to. I would think the Pistons may want to trade for the other Morris twin who could be available and is the better of the two.
Aussie Dunker
10-30-2015, 07:02 PM
Gibson is a player that would perfectly suit the hardened "bad boy" demenour we are trying to recapture. He plays unsociable hard nosed basketball and is a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy. I love this move. He has a pretty solid mid range J, but not a threat from deep - which conflicts with SVG game plan
I think Gibson is a better commodity than both the Morris twins, but the Morris twins suit our game plan a little better.
Jennings to Bulls > Gibson to Suns > Markeif to Pistons
It actually makes a ton of sense for all the teams involved. It would just suck helping Chicago out lol. They're already better than us.
Aussie Dunker
10-30-2015, 10:27 PM
Not tonight they weren't!! ha, Reggie killed rose, Rose does not even look like a starting NBA guard at the moment...
Morris shot lights out tonight, I like him more and more at PF -
We saw a lot more of Tolliver tonight too who I really like for us - stretch forward who plays hard and knows his role,
Didn't see much Bullock in Meeks absence, not any Baynes in the second half, and very little Ersan after the half too,
It was interesting that for the final 5 or so minutes of the 3rd and early 4th we were going to Stanley for buckets each time, I like the lineup of Reggie / KCP / Stanely / Morris / Dre
ZMonkey11
11-02-2015, 04:07 PM
Not tonight they weren't!! ha, Reggie killed rose, Rose does not even look like a starting NBA guard at the moment...
Morris shot lights out tonight, I like him more and more at PF -
We saw a lot more of Tolliver tonight too who I really like for us - stretch forward who plays hard and knows his role,
Didn't see much Bullock in Meeks absence, not any Baynes in the second half, and very little Ersan after the half too,
It was interesting that for the final 5 or so minutes of the 3rd and early 4th we were going to Stanley for buckets each time, I like the lineup of Reggie / KCP / Stanely / Morris / Dre
It's so sad, but this. He is a solid role player at this point. 7th or 8th man off the bench.
Aussie Dunker
11-02-2015, 11:32 PM
^^ Who?
ZMonkey11
11-05-2015, 08:33 PM
^^ Who?
Rose
Aussie Dunker
11-06-2015, 02:40 AM
haha come on man, he is not an 8th man, off the bench kinda guy - he just isn't a #1 option / true franchise player anymore.
I think he is currently a 3rd option type dude, with potential (if able to stay healthy) to be a #2 option again.
Will never be a top 6 PG again in the league but is capable of being in that next 7 - 12 type group he he is able to stay healthy
ZMonkey11
11-06-2015, 09:28 PM
haha come on man, he is not an 8th man, off the bench kinda guy - he just isn't a #1 option / true franchise player anymore.
I think he is currently a 3rd option type dude, with potential (if able to stay healthy) to be a #2 option again.
Will never be a top 6 PG again in the league but is capable of being in that next 7 - 12 type group he he is able to stay healthy
He is HORRIBLY inefficient. I don't want that as my third option. Until he learns to stop going buckwild like he did in his day, he is a 7th or 8th option. I don't want a guy is currently shooting UNDER 40% to lead my second unit.
Rose needs to learn how to reign it in and not fly at the basket or shoot stupid jumpers. I see way too many shots starting off balance. He tries to play like Westbrook, but with less control. Let that settle in for a second. He plays like Westbrook, but with less control. He is still flying at the basket, but he doesn't have 1/2 the finishing ability he had his MVP year. His jumper is pathetic at this point.
If you point to his last game, I'll point to his previous 5.
Aussie Dunker
11-07-2015, 07:22 PM
I respect your opinions ^ I just think he finally has his body right - it is now just a matter of stringing games together and growing in confidence, it's still too early this season in my eyes to evaluate him - I wont point to his last game, would be happy to revisit after 20 or so games when we have a true sample size.
I think he can be in the range of 17 - 20 ppg, making him no worse than a 3rd option - I personally think he needs to change his game entirely to be a distributor now that the Bulls have plenty of scorers, I think that would be the best move for both he, and the Bulls.
ZMonkey11
11-08-2015, 01:15 PM
Totally agree. He still has insane amounts of skill and athleticism, but his skillset is not conducive to the style of play he is used to. If he up that court vision and bring down the shot volume, the Bulls will be scary.
Unfortunately, i heard him and Butler are beefing a little bit about who's team this really is.
Aussie Dunker
11-08-2015, 06:05 PM
Unfortunately??? I think you mean FORTUNATELY!! haha, the more disgruntled the Bulls are the better it is for the Pistons ;)
Aussie Dunker
02-16-2016, 06:40 PM
p.s Hilliard has looked pretty solid for a 2nd rounder over the past few weeks. His shot is pretty smooth and he looks comfortable with the ball in his hands. I think SVG likes his maturity
With KCP coming back Friday he won't see much PT.
Aussie Dunker
02-16-2016, 07:28 PM
yeah clearly - but still, think he has shown enough to impress - and with Jennings gone I still think he will get some minutes. His D is quite good too
Aussie Dunker
03-08-2016, 03:45 PM
Just quietly, Bullock over his past 6 games for us has averaged 10 points, shooting 13 from 21 from 3pt range (62%) wow!
Making the most of his opportunity,
Yeah, he's been shooting great from outside. It's good to see he got his confidence back.
Aussie Dunker
03-08-2016, 04:07 PM
^^ First round pick from only 3 years back, great size at the 2-guard. If he can keep working hard he could really have a chance of being a part of our long time core off the bench. I know SVG likes him because he also plays real pesky defense.
For a throw in player in a trade I've liked him on the team. He has a chance to be a decent role player. That's what confused me about the Hillard pick this past year. They should be trying to draft backup C's and PG's. Hopefully one of those will eventually work out.
Aussie Dunker
03-08-2016, 04:14 PM
Yeah I would say that Bullock's ceiling is a backup two guard as a full-time rotation player, 7th or 8th man. Which we would absolutely take in a heartbeat f he can consistently produce at a rotation level guy with 10 - 15 or so minutes off the bench,
I have also liked Hilliard, too.
Yup, obviously KCP now has that position on lock. But to have someone that can give him a break and consistently hit outside shots would be great. I've never been a fan of the Meeks signing. I'd rather use that kind of money on a backup PG. Reggie has a chance of sticking around if he keeps hitting shots.
Aussie Dunker
03-08-2016, 07:44 PM
We are building around Reggie and Dre duo ^ ofcourse he is sticking around. Is showing that he has a "closers mentality" which is a super valuable asset in this league.
But the role of backup PG is super important, backup PG in a perfect world would be your 7th man, complimenting the 6th man on your team and leading the second unit. Our backup PG at the moment is more like a fringe end of the rotation guy.
I know Reggie Jackson is sticking around. I meant Reggie Bullock is making the case. I should have been more specific:lol
Aussie Dunker
03-08-2016, 09:03 PM
haha oh man, that is my bad!! haha, considering Jackson had nothing to do with this conversation - i'm a goose,
But yes I hope he sticks around seems like a hard worker and zero ego, the two things you want in a bench rotation player
The Pistons just added Lorenzo Brown.
http://www.nba.com/pistons/features/depth-issues-possibly-brewing-point-guard-svg-d-league-all-star-brown
He's a pretty good player in the D League. It obviously shows that Dinwiddie really isn't 100% healthy (or maybe they just don't have faith in him anymore). I think it's interesting because Brown is 6'5". I've always liked big PG's although most of them at that height seem to never really make it.
I know Augustin was in the rumors at the trade deadline. Looking at the way he's been playing it would have been really nice to add him as the backup PG again. That would have been huge in making the run in the end. He probably deserves to be a starter somewhere.
Aussie Dunker
03-27-2016, 07:44 PM
I totally agree with what you are saying, except I don't think he deserves to be the starter somewhere. I am, he could be, but it would be a team that would be a cellar dweller moving backwards.
In my eyes he is a top 3 backup PG in this league. Deserves to be on a championship level squad playing a valuable 13 - 20 minutes per game.
He should be on that Patty Mills type level
A team like the Knicks could really use a PG like that. I think he's a back up on a contender or a starter somewhere else. He's been lights out lately.
Aussie Dunker
03-29-2016, 01:07 AM
Yeah now that you mention it, I believe he could be a starter on a team with a Lebron or a Durant.
I mean, he could play that 07 Mo Williams role well I think -
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