Reggie Bullock is coming off the best season of his career. How can the veteran replicate that performance in 2018-19? Jeffrey MacCowan has more on the Detroit Pistons’ sharp shooter.
The Detroit Pistons acquired Reggie Bullock through a trade with the Phoenix Suns back in 2015. The shooting guard is entering his fourth season with the Pistons.
Will Bullock help Detroit from behind the arc once again this season? Will he be a starter most of the year, or simply a sixth man?
It’s time to answer these questions, and more, in our 2018-19 season preview for Reggie Bullock.
By the numbers last season
Bullock played in 62 games last season, starting 52 of them. The difference between him in the starting lineup, and out of it, is astounding.
In the 52 games Bullock started, he played 30.9 minutes a night, scoring an average of 12.8 points and grabbing 2.7 rebounds per game. When playing as a reserve in 10 games, he averaged just 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in 12.4 minutes of action.
The 2017-18 campaign was Bullock’s best season of his five-year career. He posted 11.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
His 3-point shooting percentage of 44.5 was second in the NBA last year. He complimented that with a 48.9 percent field-goal percentage and 79.6 percent free-throw shooting percentage.
At 6-feet-7-inches tall, Bullock possesses length at the shooting guard and small forward positions. The way he moves without the ball, contests shots, and has the ability to run the floor, are some of his strengths on the court besides shooting the basketball.
Looking ahead to 2018-19
Reggie Bullock has struggled with injuries through his career. In 2016 and 2017, he dealt with hip and back issues before suffering a left-knee meniscus tear. If he can play over 65 games this season, that would be a big plus.
Keeping constant with his shooting will be another goal for Bullock. He’s displayed why he’s known as a deadly 3-point point shooter during the preseason.
If he can post above 40 percent from in front of, and behind, the arc next season, as well as 80 percent behind the free-throw line, that’ll be a win in my book.
Detroit Pistons’ coach Dwayne Casey will be looking to the perimeter more often, and this is where Bullock excels the most.
Expect to see another great season from Reggie Bullock, as long as he’s healthy, and stays that way throughout the year.