Pistons don’t miss Tayshaun Prince’s defense that much
By Dan Feldman
Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:
"But as the defense has become a sieve recently, Prince’s communication and know-how have been missed."
Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News:
"Prince as a Piston wasn’t the lockdown defender he was billed as in years past, but he possessed knowledge, a wealth of experience he passed to teammates in the moment that made the Pistons at least a competent defensive club."With Tayshaun, he read situations quicker than our guys do now," Hill said. "Not so much defense on the ball but situations where you might have to help or read a play while it’s developing, which comes with the experience he had. He had a high basketball IQ. We’ve probably had some slippage with him not being out there.""
Let’s ignore that, before Tayshaun Prince was traded, the Pistons gave up more points per possession with him on the floor than him off this season. Otherwise, his absence is totally the primary reason the Pistons’ defense has fallen apart.
Or maybe it’s one small factor behind, as, to be fair, the Vinces both mentioned, Brandon Knight and Andre Drummond missing significant time with injuries.