2013 Central Division Position Power Ranking: Point Guards
3.) Detroit Pistons
Feb. 3, 2012; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings (3) is defended by Detroit Pistons point guard Brandon Knight (7) at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Point Guards:
– Brandon Jennings
Production: 2012-2013 season: 17.5 PPG; 6.5 APG; 3.1 RPG; 2.5 TO
Value: 3 years- $24 million
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 16.4 PPG; 7.4 APG; 2.9 RPG; 2.1 TO
– Chauncey Billups
Production: 2012-2013 season: 6.2 PPG; 1 APG; 2 RPG; 19.2 MPG
Value: 2 years- $5 million
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 8.4 PPG; 4.2 APG; 1.9 RPG; 22.5 MPG
– Will Bynum
Production: 2012-2013 season: 9.8 PPG; 3.6 APG; 1.5 RPG
Value: 2 years- $5.75 million
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 5.6 PPG; 2.2 APG; 1 RPG
– The Detroit Pistons totally revamped their roster this offseason, inserting new blood, and creating a rather uncommon buzz about what was recently an unpopular team. In addition to their major acquisition of Brandon Jennings to the point guard spot, they also resigned guard Will Bynum, in sort of a head scratching move, as they also brought back fan favorite, and former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups to Detroit. Joe Dumars, as well as Billups made it crystal clear during his introductory press conference that he was not brought back to play the shooting guard position, as he did in Los Angeles as a member of the Clippers, rather the backup point guard.
Even though it will be difficult to find minutes for all three of these point guards, one of the Pistons best kept secrets over the last few seasons has been the play of explosive small guard Will Bynum. Bynum, known for erupting the Palace with his glass shattering jams, posted averages of almost 10 points, and 4 assists a game in just under 20 minutes a game. Bynum has tremendous athleticism, as well as a high basketball I.Q.
With the trade that sent away the only Detroit Piston All-Rookie first teamer since Grant Hill, Brandon Knight, the Pistons brought in an established player at the point guard position. A guy that is not scared to take and make the big shots. Although Jennings has a knack for scoring (as well as jacking up bad shots), he believes that he is naturally a pass-first point guard. With the roster built around him and Monta Ellis in Milwaukee, he felt he was unable to be that kind of player, and had to take matter into his own hands. Now, with the roster Joe Dumars has built in Detroit, Jennings has the opportunity to show all of his critics that he can be that explosive pass-first point guard. And he has no better opportunity than now, as he can learn from one of the best at the position, as well as one of the best leaders in the NBA, Chauncey Billups.
It will be interesting to see how newly hired head coach Maurice Cheeks uses all three of his point guards in his rotation.