3 takeaways from the Detroit Pistons 117-100 loss to the Atlanta Hawks
2. Power Forwards have not Stepped Up
The Pistons hoped that the offseason acquisition of Markieff Morris would offer some insurance against a Blake Griffin injury, but Morris has not paid off in the first two games. So far Pistons’ fans seem to be focusing their early season rage on Thon Maker, but Morris has been even worse and is in a much more crucial role. Morris had another terrible shooting night, going 3-11 in 26 minutes for seven points and picking up an ill-timed technical foul.
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Morris has been thrust into a more prominent role with Griffin out and so far, has not been inspiring. He’s held the ball for too long, taken bad shots and been a step behind on defense, getting torched in both games. Fans can complain about Maker all they want, but Morris has to be a bigger concern and simply must play better going forward.
Maker is in there for his defense and did get two blocks, but he has also looked completely out of position, lost and confused, which was punctuated in the third quarter when Jabari Parker dunked in his face to essentially seal the game for the Hawks.
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Casey admitted after the game that he probably should have played Christian Wood, as the Pistons’ defense was so bad that he couldn’t have made it much worse. We’re likely to see more of Wood against Philadelphia and for one of he or Maker to disappear from the rotation once Griffin returns.
Hopefully Morris will be more effective when he goes back to the second unit, but Detroit has to be concerned after what they’ve seen thus far from Morris and Maker.