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While league goes small Detroit Pistons get bigger

By Braden Shackelford

Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy looks down during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy looks down during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Pistons have gotten significantly bigger in the offseason. With the NBA transitioning to smaller lineups, why?

The Detroit Pistons had a desire to get bigger at power forward this offseason. Stan Van Gundy accomplished that by adding 6’11 1/2″ Henry Ellenson in the first round.

But the desire to get bigger didn’t end at power forward.

He then proceeded to add 6’7″ Michael Gbinije in the second round, who Van Gundy intends to develop at point guard. In free agency he added 6’10” Jon Leuer and 7’3″ Boban Marjanovic.

At some point this season we could see a lineup of Gbinije, Stanley Johnson (6’7″), Marcus Morris (6’9″), Henry Ellenson (6’11 1/2″), and Marjanovic (7’3″).

The Pistons are suddenly enormous.

So the following questions bares answering: Why go for size while the league is getting smaller?

As Van Gundy has been saying for some time, it’s all about being able to match up with any team in the league. Van Gundy (in theory) now has the ability to match up with any lineup.

Look at the freakish Milwaukee Bucks. They have a 6’11” point guard in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Shooting guard Kris Middleton is 6’8″. They could potentially pair those two with Jabari Parker (6’9″) at small forward, Thon Maker (7’1″) at power forward, and John Henson(6’11” with a 7’5″ wingspan) at center.

Speed and quickness only goes so far against that type of lineup.

While Van Gundy now has the versatility on his roster to match up with any lineup NBA team’s can throw onto the court, the biggest reason for adding the players that he did this offseason was necessity.

The Pistons were worked by Kevin Love in the playoffs because they were too small at power forward. Van Gundy counters by adding a skilled big man of his own in Ellenson.

The Pistons lost some depth by trading Jodie Meeks and had a giant hole behind Reggie Jackson at point guard. Van Gundy countered by adding a multidimensional wing in Gbinije.

The Pistons knew that they needed to add another center. Joel Anthony didn’t have much more to offer and Aron Baynes will likely pursue decline his player option next season with all of the money out there in free agency. Van Gundy counters by adding depth and in Marjanovic, who could also develop into the backup center behind Andre Drummond.

While the length–in some cases–may have been secondary to the overall needs of the team, Van Gundy’s team is now bigger than ever, even with the league transitioning to smaller lineups.

And he’s done so in a way that totally makes sense.

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