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Eight predictions for the Detroit Pistons’ season in 2016-17

By Duncan Smith

Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA;Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the first half of Tuesday nights game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA;Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the first half of Tuesday nights game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 12, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Reggie Bullock (25) against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Detroit Pistons won 125-111. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Reggie Bullock (25) against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Detroit Pistons won 125-111. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Reggie Bullock will make the leap.

After being an afterthought for the first 57 games of the season last year with the Pistons, Reggie Bullock became essential to the bench rotation after Stanley Johnson sprained his shoulder in late February. The injury forced Bullock into an expanded role, and he responded.

Bullock averaged 18.7 minutes per game over the last 25 games, appearing in 18 of them. He scored just 6.4 points but added 3.3 rebounds and had scintillating shooting splits of .532/.488/.917.

The Pistons have a lineup with a plethora of long and talented wings, and Reggie Bullock has the added value in that he is one of the best shooters on the team.

He’s a 34.3 percent shooter from long-range in his career, and his percentage has increased each of his three seasons.

Last season was a career high from behind the arc, hitting 41.5 percent. He averages 4.4 three-point attempts per-36 minutes, and I expect his role to increase in 2016-17. He may not play more than 20 minutes per game, but he won’t be going 10 games between appearances.

Reggie Bullock will be an everyday player and will provide a spark off the bench. Expect him to get hot from long range a lot this season.

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