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4-on-4: Examining the Detroit Pistons’ trade for Tobias Harris

By Duncan Smith

Jan 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) dribbles the ball against Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) dribbles the ball against Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy bites on a pen cap before the game against the Orlando Magic at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 115-89. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy bites on a pen cap before the game against the Orlando Magic at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 115-89. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

2. How do you see Harris fitting in with Stan Van Gundy and Detroit?

Shackelford: I see him fitting in very nicely. He’s a much better three-point shooter than what he’s shown this season. While he’s not Ilyasova from the outside, he’s much more of a scoring threat with his ability to take slower power forwards to the rim. He can also play small forward and bully smaller defenders there. I’m interested to see how he fits in defensively. The best scenario is that his presence allows the Pistons to become a better team defensively, because the Pistons will have more players who can switch on screens.

Thielke: I hope to see him replace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as the primary starter to get a lot of burn with the second unit. His shooting should improve as there are more players in Detroit whose shots command some modicum of respect than there were in Orlando. But his ability to create scoring opportunities should be a huge boon whenever Reggie Jackson isn’t on the floor.

Smith: I expect he’s going to fit in pretty well. I expect him to start, but if he comes off the bench with Anthony Tolliver starting as he gets used to things in Detroit, that’s ok with me as well. I can only wish that Harris was shooting three-pointers like he was a year ago, but a change of scheme and scenery might do wonders.

Rossman-Reich: It is going to be an interesting fit. Stan Van Gundy really seems like he is trying to build a team very similar to the late-2000s Magic. That means lots of pick and rolls and lots of shooting. Tobias Harris does not have either. He is a capable scorer when you give him the ball, and he really improved as a slasher and scorer without the ball in that way. But he is limited a lot by what he cannot do behind the three-point line. I think Van Gundy will be able to use him defensively and hide some of his shortcomings, but it is an interesting fit. He has a lot of work to do to be a fit in the offense.

Next: Will Jennings and Ilyasova fit with Scott Skiles?

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