Detroit Pistons Summer League expectations
By Lennie King
Henry Ellenson
Watch out for: Defensive ability, shooting
Stats predictor: 8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Lastly, the 18th pick in the 2016 NBA draft. The big man, Henry Ellenson. It’s still a surprise Henry fell all the way down to 18th. Van Gundy had him at 10 on his board, I’m guessing many other general managers had him in similar position. If Ellenson produces anything like the way he did in college, the Pistons have got a real steal.
At 19-years old, he still has plenty of time to adapt his game to NBA level. At 6-foot-11, Ellenson is just what the Pistons were looking for in free agency, only he came in the draft for a lot cheaper. He’s the power forward Detroit desires to have on the bench behind the smaller Tobias Harris.
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Ellenson has great size, but he can also step out and shoot it. His three-point percentage wasn’t the best, but looking at his sweet stroke, I’m sure he’ll have no problem improving on that. Ellenson will be Van Gundy’s answer to the Kevin Loves of the league. It became abundantly clear in the Pistons and Cavaliers playoff series that Harris was far to small to defend against some of those premier power forwards. Not for lack of trying, but lack of size.
With Ellenson, SVG will be able to throw a larger defender on them. He can also take advantage on the other end against small-ball line ups. With Henry on the roster there are plenty of different lineups and options. It’s hard to imagine Ellenson wouldn’t be starting power forward at Summer League, so let’s just assume he does start. Like Gbinije, there’s no real expectation for Ellenson to perform in the Summer League.
That’s not to say he can go out and look awful, but he’s a rookie, he’s expected to make mistakes. This is his first real taste at this level, playing against other young prospects and former young prospects still knocking at the door of the NBA. I think Henry will rebound fine, but I’m interested to see if his shot can find the bottom of the net.
What I’d like to see mostly from Ellenson is his defense. If he’s going to be playing alongside Andre Drummond, or even Aron Baynes, he’s going to have to be a smart defender. If he can be a solid defender down low, as well as on the perimeter with the stretch-fours, that will be his first step to playing time with the Pistons.
The next thing is his range. When you’re on a Stan Van Gundy team, you need to make open shots. Two very plain, but very necessary things to watch out for with him. Barring a massive power forward signing, I see Henry getting consistent minutes this upcoming season.
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He fills a need the Pistons have been looking for and he gives the team a different look, different approach. A good showing in Summer League could cement the young man a spot in next season’s rotation.