Six post players that proved the Detroit Pistons must improve interior defense
By Joe Dexter
Paul Millsap
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He was the definition of consistency against the Pistons last year. Paul Millsap showed up in all four games that the Hawks and Pistons played last year. Yet his game expanded during his first year under Mike Budenholzer, writes Peachtree Hoops’ Kris Willis.
"Millsap averaged 17.9 points and 8.5 rebounds over the course of the season. He knocked down 46 percent of his field goal attempts and 73 percent of his free throw attempts. Anyone that has followed the Hawks over the last couple of seasons knows that Millsap brought a new level of offensive efficiency to Atlanta’s power forward position. As was the case with DeMarre Carroll, Millsap expanded his game in Atlanta under Mike Budenholzer. No longer pigeon holed as a traditional power forward, Millsap added the three-point shot to his arsenal with the Hawks. In seven seasons with the Utah Jazz, Millsap attempted a combined 113 attempts. He launched 212 this season in Budenholzer’s spread attack. For the season, Millsap ended up making 36 percent of his three-point attempts."
Millsap only went 3/9 from downtown against the Pistons, but had a stellar year overall from the perimeter. It will be fun to watch and see if his game improves as he partakes in his second year in the Atlanta system.