The arrival of every calendar year is accompanied by optimistic New Year’s resolutions.
For many, these goals may be eating healthier, losing weight, or taking that next step in a professional career.
With the Detroit Pistons currently sporting a 16-18 record, I figured that this inconsistent ball club could use some resolutions of their own.
Let’s just hope these changes extend beyond January.
1. Remain healthy
Their first resolution is easier said than done.
The Pistons’ last two seasons were marred by injuries. Reggie Jackson missed significant time in both 2016-17 and 2017-18, appearing in only 97 games during that span.
While he’s played in every contest thus far, overall health remains an issue in Detroit this season.
Backup point guard Ish Smith has been out with a right adductor muscle tear that he suffered back on Dec. 5 in a 115-92 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pistons are 3-9 in their 12 games since.
According to James Edwards III of The Athletic Detroit, Smith’s recovery will continue for at least another two or three weeks.
Detroit has noticeably missed its up-tempo reserve guard. Per Basketball Reference, the Pistons have an offensive rating of 115.6 points scored per 100 possessions with Smith on the floor. Without him, that rating plummets to 108.6.
That’s a monumental drop off with the absence of just one player. But Smith creates opportunities for himself and others off the dribble – a skill that the Pistons lack outside of Smith, Jackson and Blake Griffin.
2. Increase off-ball movement
It should come as no surprise that Detroit forward Blake Griffin leads the NBA in touches per game with 91.8.
The Pistons also rank third in post ups per game, averaging 16.3 a night. Griffin accounts for 9.0 of them, and is scoring 4.1 points per game on post touches – the fifth-highest in the league. He is shooting 49.5 percent from the floor on post touches as well.
While teams have sought to double team Griffin, he’s done a solid job of kicking the ball back out and finding the open man.
However, the Pistons should increase their movement when the ball is in Griffin’s hands. Far too often, they’re standing around watching him go one-on-one. Here’s an example of what not to do.
Sure, Griffin ended up making the basket anyway. But before he spun away from Russell Westbrook and drove baseline, his eyes were fixated on his teammates. Nobody chose to cut inside, so he quickly took matters into his own hands and delivered.
But if he misses that contested shot, it’s very unlikely that Detroit gets the offensive rebound. Even if Griffin chose not to hit a cutting teammate, having that extra body crash towards the basket increases the likelihood of an offensive board.
Now let me be clear. I’m not suggesting that they veer off into his driving lane while he’s isolated. That defeats the purpose an isolation set.
What I am suggesting, however, is that the Pistons maintain some sort of movement while all five defender have one eye focused on Griffin. Something like this would suffice.
Reggie Jackson’s cut pulls Evan Fournier away from Griffin. This forces D.J. Augustin to collapse onto Blake, which leaves Bruce Brown open on the perimeter. Brown then makes a basket cut of his own (while simultaneously calling for the ball) and finds an open seam.
Griffin didn’t use Brown in that situation. But Brown’s cut could’ve led to a put-back attempt or an offensive rebound. It’s that very willingness to exploit defensive breakdowns that the Pistons must embrace.
3. Feed Stanley Johnson in transition
One of the bright spots of the 2018-19 campaign has been Stanley Johnson‘s poise leading the break.
No player that has appeared in at least half of the Pistons’ games this season has averaged more fast-break points per game (1.5) than Johnson. Luke Kennard has a better overall average with 1.9, but he’s only played 47 percent of Detroit’s schedule to date (34 games).
The Pistons rank 24th in fast-break points per game, averaging only 10.5 per contest. So deferring to Johnson in transition more often is worth exploring, since they’re not much of a threat in the open floor.
Standing at 6 feet 7 inches tall, the 22-year-old’s frame make him difficult to guard at full speed. Defenders in transition are often backpedaling and off balance, giving the ball handler a serious advantage if contact is made.
By no means is he akin to Russell Westbrook or John Wall. His ability to finish remains a work in progress, and Johnson doesn’t look to pass on the break as often as he should.
But he’s shown enough to justify getting the ball in transition.
Brenden Welper 