Hey, Stan Van Gundy: Think of the kids
By Dan Feldman
"With an average age of 25.9*, the Pistons are Van Gundy’s youngest team. They’re also — thanks to Van Gundy — older than the 2013-14 Pistons.This is the push and pull of a team president who recognizes rebuilding is necessary and a coach who wants to win now.In the NBA, it’s ideal to be young and good, but teams must frequently settle for one or the other. The Pistons aren’t especially either.They’re the league’s 10th-youngest team, and they’re missing the playoffs for the sixth straight season. This is a step up from a few years ago, when the Pistons were just as bad and among the NBA’s oldest teams, but it’s hardly ideal.To his credit, Van Gundy hasn’t mortgaged the future for a short-term payoff (that hasn’t come to fruition, anyway). But refusing to mortgage the future is not the same as building for the future.The Pistons’ seven oldest players — Tayshaun Prince (35), Caron Butler (35), Joel Anthony (32), John Lucas III (32), Cartier Martin (30), Anthony Tolliver (29) and Jodie Meeks (27) — on a 15-man roster were each acquired by Van Gundy, who has been in charge few than 11 months.Due to Van Gundy emphasizing veterans, the Pistons’ average age has increased sixth-most from last season.Here are all the teams older than they were last year and by how many years:Washington Wizards, +2.3Houston Rockets, +2.2Cleveland Cavaliers, +2.0Portland Trail Blazers, +1.3Memphis Grizzlies, +1.2Detroit Pistons, +1.2Sacramento Kings, +1.2Indiana Pacers, +1.1New Orleans Pelicans, +0.9San Antonio Spurs, +0.9Los Angeles Clippers, +0.7Charlotte Hornets, +0.6Toronto Raptors, +0.5Denver Nuggets, +0.4Los Angeles Lakers, +0.4Golden State Warriors, +0.4Atlanta Hawks, +0.3Chicago Bulls, +0.2Of those 18 teams:Eleven have clinched playoff berths (Wizards, Rockets, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, Spurs, Clippers, Raptors, Warriors, Hawk and Bulls).Three are still in the postseason race (Pacers, Pelicans and Hornets).Three are generally recognized as among the NBA’s worst-managed (Kings, Nuggets and Lakers).And the other is the Pistons.Do they deserve more criticism in line with the Kings, Nuggets and Lakers?The Pistons have just four players younger than 24.Drummond and Caldwell-Pope improved from last season. Spencer Dinwiddie has progressed throughout the season. Quincy Miller has not played enough outside the D-League to make a judgment.However, players that age typically improve regardless of their team. None of those four took huge steps, and attention turns to Van Gundy.To some degree, Detroit’s aging was out of his hands, because the Pistons lost their first-round pick last year and opportunity to add a young player who could contribute immediately. But Van Gundy probably overemphasized experience relative to upside with his acquisitions.And I’m unconvinced he coached the young players he had well enough, though it’s possible he’s still laying the groundwork.Van Gundy is deservedly credited with developing Dwight Howard, but Howard had already played three seasons and become an All-Star before the Orlando Magic hired Van Gundy. It seems Van Gundy is better with young veterans — players who already know enough about the league to handle his tough coaching but still have holes in their game. See his work with Brandon Jennings and Reggie Jackson this year."
"Van Gundy needs to get better with young players. Then, he needs to get more young players.(*Weighted for playing time and using a players’ age on Feb. 1 of a given season.)"