2013 Central Division Position Power Ranking: Shooting Guard
5.) Detroit Pistons
Nov 28, 2012; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Rodney Stuckey (3) shoots a free throw during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at The Palace. Detroit won 117-77. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Shooting Guards:
– Rodney Stuckey
Production: 2012-2013 season: 11.5 PPG; 3.6 APG; 2.8 RPG
Value: 1 year- $8.5 million
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 13.8 PPG; 3.2 APG; 3 RPG
– Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
*Production: 2012-2013 season (College): 18.5 PPG; 7.1 RPG; 1.8 APG
Value: Rookie Deal
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 9.8 PPG; 3.6 RPG; 0.8 APG
– Kyle Singler
Production: 2012-2013 season: 8.8 PPG; 4 RPG; 0.9 APG
Value: Rookie Deal
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 4.5 PPG; 2.2 RPG; 0.8 APG
– As the NBA season is about to tip off, one of the most intriguing questions facing the Detroit Pistons roster is who will lineup next to Brandon Jennings in the backcourt on Opening Night. With a projected frontcourt filed with power players, the Pistons will need to surround their frontline with a pair of sharp shooting guards to help spread the floor for the Pistons. As of now, the safest bet is that longtime Piston Rodney Stuckey will be Jennings backcourt mate. Stuckey is far from a sharp shooter, but has shown tremendous improvement in his perimeter jump shot over the course of his career in Detroit.
The shooting guard spot is not just a problem that the Pistons face this year, but has been a problem for Detroit over the last few seasons. Back in 2011, Rodney Stuckey occupied the 2-guard spot, as he had a career season and seemed ready for a breakout season. As every Piston fan knows by now, that unfortunately did not happen for Stuckey. Rodney started the 2012 season missing his first 20 shots from the field, lost his place in the starting lineup to a rookie, and was in-and-out of former head coach Lawrence Frank’s dog house. Rodney had arguably his worst season in a Piston uniform, and will look to bounce back with the return of his former mentor Chauncey Billups.
The player that stole Stuckey’s starting spot was All-Rookie second teamer Kyle Singler. Singler found his way into the rotation much like another Piston Jonas Jerebko, through his heart and hustle. Kyle also showed the coaching staff that he is a dead-eye shooter on the perimeter, giving coach Mo Cheeks another option come opening night.
Lastly, the Pistons surprised everybody with the selection in this year’s NBA Draft. selecting little known shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope out of the University of Georgia. There, KCP was the lone star on a team that didn’t even make it to the NCAA tournament, posting an under .500 record for the year, but that did not stop KCP. He started every game in 2013, and scored in double digits every time he stepped foot on the court. With his lethal long range jump shot, and his surprising athleticism, Cheeks could also lean the way of a rookie early on in the season to help spread the floor for his team.