The Detroit Pistons’ Small Forward Dilemma
The Detroit Pistons, back in mid-December, replaced Stanley Johnson with Reggie Bullock as the team’s starting small forward. As the swap originally appeared iffy, the move has proved successful while creating concern regarding the future roles of the two small forwards.
December 10, 2018.
The Detroit Pistons lose at Little Caesars Arena to the Boston Celtics, 91-81.
It’s now six losses in a row and frustration is accruing among fans and players.
Some nights, it’s the starters who do not perform up to par. Other nights, it’s the bench.
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No matter the case, it’s a team effort, the team is in a slump, and Stan Van Gundy has had enough.
December 12 arrives and Van Gundy makes a change.
With the Denver Nuggets in town, Reggie Bullock replaces Stanley Johnson in the starting lineup.
Originally, it appeared to be a no-win solution.
Stanley Johnson had struggled all together after returning from an injured hip earlier in the season. With a move to the bench, it was assumed Johnson’s confidence would only lower and additional drift would stir between himself and coach Van Gundy.
As for Reggie Bullock, the freshly resigned small forward had yet to establish a definite role for the 2017-2018 Detroit Pistons and, too, appeared to provide little offensive ability to Stan Van Gundy’s starting five.
Again, Bullock for Johnson… a no-win, highly doubted move from a fan point of view.
Though as of today, the move has proved worth while.
Since Reggie Bullock’s addition to the starting lineup and Stanley Johnson’s move to the bench, Detroit has won five out of the last seven games: four without Avery Bradley.
As such success is more of a team accomplishment than anything, Bullock and Johnson have both contributed at high levels offensively and defensively during the stretch.
Bullock has averaged 11.5 points per game as a starter with impressive 10, 11, 14, 15, and 20 point performances. Additionally, Bullock has made key defensive stops when it’s mattered most (notably in the final seconds against the New York Knicks).
Even Piston center Andre Drummond has offered words of encouragement for Reggie Bullock:
"“Reggie’s a hell of a defender. Just like Avery. He’s kind of the same player – just very, very gritty and just gets down and dirty.”"
Stanley Johnson, similar to counterpart Reggie Bullock, too, has experienced success during the last seven game stretch.
As Johnson’s first two games off the bench were rotten, the Arizona product has since recorded solid 6, 7, 12, 13, and 16 point performances.
Even though it appears Johnson still struggles (occasionally) to convert consistently on the offensive end, Johnson’s defense has picked up once more and has effectively dished and rebounded the ball recently.
The most significant causes for Johnson’s and Bullock’s success is due to performing within their roles with confidence and Stan Van Gundy identifying who plays best with who.
Though, one can only wonder: will the roles of Johnson and Bullock stay in place for a great while?
After trading forward Marcus Morris to the Boston Celtics last summer, Stanley Johnson was highly regarded as the team’s starting small forward of the future.
Obviously as of today, that’s not the case. So again: will Johnson ever regain his role as Detroit’s starting small? Or will Reggie Bullock remain as Stan Van Gundy’s starting option?
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No matter the outcome, Detroit will be reluctant to have two versatile small forwards performing at high and effective levels on both ends of the floor. From a fan perspective, it’ll be an interesting conflict to watch unfold.