As another disappointing season officially comes to an end for the Detroit Pistons. It’s now time for a season review
The Detroit Pistons finished with 37 wins this season and missed the playoffs. This was supposed to be the year they built on their first playoff berth in almost a decade. However for whatever reason this couldn’t be done. They managed to somehow win seven fewer games than last year, after supposedly improving the roster.
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The Detroit Pistons did manage to show some positive signs throughout the season by beating some of the best teams in the NBA. They managed to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, the Boston Celtics, the Houston Rockets, the Washington Wizards and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite the positives, there were also things that were a cause for concern. There were nights where their energy just wasn’t there, nights where some players did not look engaged in the game whatsoever.
Over the coming weeks I will be reviewing each and every player on the Detroit Pistons roster. To make it easier to follow I have broken it up into starters, bench and the reserves. This week will start with the reserves. The reserves we’ll go over are Beno Udrih, Michael Gbinije, Darrun Hilliard, Henry Ellenson, and Boban Marjanovic.
Beno Udrih
Beno Udrih played in 39 games and averaged 14.4 minutes per game. Udrih averaged 5.8 points per game, 1.5 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game and 0.9 turnovers per game. Udrih shot 46.7 percent from the field, 34.4 percent three-point shooting, and 94.1 percentfree throw shooting.
Udrih is one of those professional guys where you know what you’re going to get from him every night. He’s a solid playmaker and a solid scorer. Whenever he played he was always in control and made the right plays. It’s a shame he was injured in the last few games as he would’ve gotten some extended minutes.
Chances he remains a Piston: 20 percent. Udrih is out of contract and may look to sign somewhere where he can be a more consistent contributor. He would always be the third point guard here behind Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith. I wouldn’t mind him coming back, but I don’t think it’s likely.
Michael Gbinije
Michael Gbinije played in 9 games and averaged 3.5 minutes per game. Gbinije averaged 0.4 points per game, 0.3 rebounds per game, and 0.2 assists per game. Gbinije shot 10 percent from the field, did not make a three, and made all of his free throws..
It was really a nothing season for Gbinije this season. After only appearing in nine NBA games, we didn’t really get a chance to evaluate him properly. He struggled with injuries in his rookie season, to the extent where he was only able to play in 16 of 50 games for the Grand Rapids Drive. In those 16 games he averaged 12 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per game, and 1.9 steals per game.
His focus this offseason will be getting and remaining healthy. He will continue to intrigue the Detroit Pistons with his size (6’7) at the point guard position and the versatility to play and guard the two and three spots.
Chances he remains a Piston: 100 percent. He is under contract for 2 more years, and with how little he played, he is unlikely to be a trade target. The only way I can see him leaving is if he is needed as a salary filler in a trade.
Darrun Hilliard
Darrun Hilliard played in 39 games and averaged 9.8 minutes per game. Hilliard averaged 3.3 points per game, 0.8 rebounds per game, 0.8 assists per game, and 0.7 turnovers per game. Hilliard shot 37.3 percent from the field, 26.1 percent three-point shooting and 75 percent free throw shooting.
Hilliard struggled to make his shots this season, which is his strength. His last four games gave us a little hope that he can develop into something as he was the team’s back up point guard after Beno Udrih injured his knee with two games left in the season and managed reasonably well.
He needs to hit his shot more consistently in order to solidify a spot on this team going forward.
Chances he remains a Piston: 50 percent. Hilliard has a team option on his contract. I can see that being declined to make roster space for a bigger move. But I also wouldn’t be surprised if it was accepted to give him one more year to prove himself.
Henry Ellenson
Henry Ellenson played in 19 games and averaged 7.7 minutes per game. Ellenson averaged 3.2 points per game, 2.2 rebounds per game, 0.4 assists per game, and 0.7 turnovers per game. Ellenson shot 35.9 percent from the field, 28.6 percent three-point shooting, and 50 percent free throw shooting.
Ellenson got very little court time, up until the last four games where he averaged 22.5 minutes per game, prior to that his season high was seven minutes. In those minutes he averaged 9.75 points per game, and 7.25 rebounds per game. His rebounding numbers are positive, he’s not shy of contact and hunting out rebounds.
Like most rookies do, he struggled with getting his shot to fall, and needs to get stronger to ensure he can hold his position better, but he showed encouraging signs. He has a nice ball handling ability for a big man and if he keeps developing should crack the rotation.
Chances he remains a Piston: 100 percent. Three more years left on his contract ( with a team option), and he showed enough in the last four games that I would be comfortable with him being the backup power forward.
Boban Marjanovic
Boban Marjanovic played in 35 games and averaged 8.4 minutes per game. Marjanovic averaged 5.5 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 0.3 assists per game, 0.3 blocks per game. Marjanovich shot 54.5% from the field, did not attempt a 3, and 81% free throw shooting.
Marjanovic, the “per 36 minute superstar”, averages 23.4 points and 16 rebounds per 36 minutes. Played extended minutes over the last 4 games of the season and averaged 15.75 points and 10.25 rebounds per game. He demonstrated he was more than capable of taking over the backup center position.
Marjanovic has obvious movement limitations due to his sheer size (7’3), however usually maintains a good position on defense, and always has a matchup advantage on offense. He usually always seals his defender well in the post and is a good offensive option. Look for him to finish some games next season if Andre Drummond does not improve his free throw percentage.
Next: 3-on-3: Looking forward to the Pistons offseason part 2
Chances he remains a Piston: 100 percent. With two years left on his contract, Pistons fans would riot if the cult hero was moved. He’s proved that he can handle solid minutes and will start next season as the backup center.
All stats taken from stats.NBA.com or stats.NBADleague.com unless otherwise stated. All contract information taken from basketball-reference.com.