Stan Van Gundy: Anthony Tolliver not long-term starter

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press on Joel Anthony:

"Van Gundy said before Saturday’s game that he doesn’t view Tolliver as a long-term answer for the starting lineup at power forward."

Anthony Tolliver will return to the bench with Greg Monroe returning against the Celtics tonight, and that’s a better role for Tolliver. He’s  not quite good enough to be a good starter, especially defensively and on the glass. The more Tolliver plays, the more his lack of athleticism becomes an issue.

But Monroe will likely leave in free agency this summer, which would leave a hole at starting power forward.

I would hope the Pistons do better in the draft or free agency, but I wouldn’t hate using Tolliver as a fallback option for that spot. That’s preferable to reaching for a lesser prospect in the draft or overpaying for someone in free agency.

But it seems Van Gundy is ruling out that path. He really doesn’t sound open to Tolliver starting next season.