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Every Detroit Pistons’ best game of the 2018-19 season

By David Borowicz

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 14: Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Bullock (25) (2nd from right) is swarmed by teammates in the corner after nailing the winning basket. Toronto Raptors vs Detroit Pistons. in 2nd half action of NBA regular season play at Scobiabank Arena in Toronto. Raptors lost 106-104 on a last second shot. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 14: Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Bullock (25) (2nd from right) is swarmed by teammates in the corner after nailing the winning basket. Toronto Raptors vs Detroit Pistons. in 2nd half action of NBA regular season play at Scobiabank Arena in Toronto. Raptors lost 106-104 on a last second shot. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – APRIL 20: Ish Smith #14 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 20: Ish Smith #14 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Ish Smith

Ish Smith deserves an award for how underrated he has been during his tenure with the Pistons. I’ll have the guys over here at Piston Powered look into getting an award for Smith because he truly deserves it. If you exclude the core of Jackson, Blake Griffin, and Drummond, Smith was by far our most important player.

He is arguably one of the best backup point guards in the league, giving our team a nice jolt of energy that was a good change of pace from the starting unit. On top of that his blazing quickness regularly set up wide-open looks for his teammates.

In an ideal world, Jackson would be a healthier player and we would be able to start him at point guard and have Smith back him up all the time. This is obviously not the case and for many seasons Smith was forced into the starting point guard role due to the unfortunate health issues of Jackson.

Related Story. Detroit Pistons: The end of the Reggie Jackson saga. light

While Smith is undersized for the point guard spot and was a bit of a liability at just six feet tall, he overall did a great job keeping the ship from sinking when Jackson was out due to injury. The real issues occurred when Smith was forced to take a rest and we had to rely on washed up third string point guards such as Steve Blake, Jameer Nelson, and Jose Calderon to play consistent back up minutes.

Smith made the most of his time with the Pistons and found some stability for the first time in his career. He is one of the league’s most traveled journeymen, playing on 10 teams in 14 seasons. Of those 10 teams he has only played longer than one season on three of them (Three seasons with Pistons, 2 seasons each with the 76ers and Magic). That is way more teams than many players have been on in their entire careers.

For that reason it makes me happy that Smith could find some stability and a vital role with the Pistons. Just like Bullock, we wish we could keep him but things happen and Pistons fans will and should always wish him the best during the remainder of his career. Smith’s best game of the season came against the Miami Heat when he logged 22 points, 9 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal.

Best Game of Season:

02/23/2019 vs MIA – 22 points / 2 rebounds / 9 assists / 1 steal (8/9 field goals; 1/1 three pointers; 5/6 free throws)

Other Notable Games:

03/26/2019 vs MIN – 19 points / 5 rebounds / 5 assists / 1 steal (8/10 field goals; 1/2 three pointers; 2/2 free throws)

04/09/2019 vs MEM – 22 points /  3 rebounds / 4 assists (9/15 field goals; 1/5 three pointers; 3/5 free throws)

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