That 5-8 record actually places them on the outskirts of the playoffs in the East. While most fans want to "blow up" the roster and play for a top 3 pick in next year's draft, I subscribe to the belief that it's the playoff experience improves a team as much as a lottery pick. If success was about stockpiling lottery picks, the Clippers would be NBA elite. As it stands, many teams find themselves in the lottery every year, alongside the Clips - Minnesota, Golden State, New York. While teams like the Spurs and Mavs find talented players later in the draft and continue their winning ways.
As for the Pistons, they had a relatively quick rise to the top and a similarly precipitous decline. Without a star core to lean on (like Duncan/Parker or Kobe/Gasol or Nowitski/Kidd), the Pistons retooled with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. We're over a year into the Gordon/CV experiment, and it's clear the team still sucks. In their defense, most of the good things that happened this season were due to those two. In fact, I'd go so far as to say they're part of the solution going forward.
So, since the Pistons are 5-8 and on the cusp of a playoff spot, how can they improve? How can they work that Win/Loss record over the .500 hump?
I need to make one assumption: Dumars will not make any trades. The Pistons have a handful of tradeable commodities, notably Tayshaun Prince's expiring contract. While the team may benefit from a trade, it's not likely Prince's contract will yield the competent big man the team sorely needs. So let's just assume Tay and the rest of the players will spend this season (or at least the majority of it) in Detroit.
1. Kuester must commit to Hamilton as the team's primary scorer.
It's clear watching Hamilton this season that he's not getting the same looks. With his shooting percentage way down (42%), many of his shots are off-the-dribble. Prior to this year, the team would set double-screens to get Hamilton the ball where he could catch-and-shoot. This is his game. If Kuester wants to keep Hamilton as his starting 2-guard, he needs to play to his strength. Double-screens, stop-and-pop, drive-and-dish.
Committing to Hamilton as the primary scorer does, of course, pose two major problems. First, it hinders the development of Stuckey, who's not the best distributor in the world. And it also takes minutes away from Ben Gordon and his $50million. This post is about how best to win NOW. And I firmly believe Hamilton is still the best option. He's not as polished a shooter as BG, but he's a far superior defender. If Hamilton is focused and committed (big IF this season), he really causes problems for opposing 2-guards.
2. Greg Monroe needs to start.
Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace are the current starting front court. Seeing them in person, Maxiell is closer to 6'5 than his listed 6'7. Ben Wallace is closer to 6'7 than his listed 6'9. This is a small, but beefy, front court. They may be able to fight for position defensively, but they are sorely lacking on the offensive side of the ball. And, against tall teams, they'll get killed on the boards. Greg Monroe, despite his youth, gives the Pistons the best combination of size, rebounding ability, and offensive IQ. He's had trouble scoring, but I'm convinced that will improve with experience. Maxiell can come off the bench and face 2nd string big men - a much more achievable task.
3. Stuckey needs to play 40 minutes a night.
Whether it's his injury or just a slump, Will Bynum is struggling. Not only is he a defensive liability right now, his quick first step is nowhere to be found. The glory days of Bynumite seem a distant memory. Yet, Stuckey is playing the best ball of his career. He's one of the few Piston guards who takes pride in defense. He's a strong player who physically matches up with any guard in the NBA. He's also finishing better around the basket and... gasp... getting calls from the officials! He's starting to put it all together. Like Chauncey before him, his best attribute may be scoring, but Stuckey is a willing passer. He can feed the hot hand (Hamilton, BG, or CV) and then take over when needed.
When Stuckey sits, the team struggles. It's as simple as that. So keep the kid in the game.
4. Charlie V should stay exactly where he is.
Miraculously, somebody on this team is happy with his role. After a disastrous 2009-10 campaign, CV got his act together in the offseason. He's simply electric off the bench. If the season ended today, CV would likely get Most Improved. Despite claims that he should start, why not leave CV in his current role where he's finally a consistent offensive threat?
5. Austin Daye must be patient.
I love his silky smooth shot, but, as of now, there's no role for Austin Daye. He's not a power forward. He's a 2 or 3, which puts him behind Hamilton and Gordon at the 2, and Prince and McGrady at the 3. There will likely be injuries, so that may open up minutes for Daye. He's still a young player and must be patient. It's better for him to wait than to get killed as a power forward.
The Rotation:
1st team
Stuckey
Hamilton
Prince
Monroe
Big Ben
2nd team
Stuckey
BG
T-Mac
CV
Maxiell
Get those guys minutes and run with the hot hand in the 4th quarter. That shortens the rotation to a more manageable 9 players. If Monroe struggles, Kuester can work in CV for some extended minutes. I'm sure he wouldn't complain.
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