3 takeaways from Detroit Pistons 117-111 loss to Philadelphia 76ers

3. Derrick Rose is dynamite

Derrick Rose is one of the fastest players ever to walk on an NBA floor. His multiple injuries have taken a lot of that away but he’s still pretty fast. He’s definitely the most dynamic player on this roster and when his jumper is falling it’s a wonder to see.

He scored 31 points last night on 21 field goals and two free-throw attempts. He also had three steals and two blocks. When he came into the game, he changed the whole disposition of the team and provided much-needed energy.

He’s been extremely efficient in his first three games. He has a true shooting percentage of 70.2 on a staggering usage of 37.2 percent. Those are ridiculous numbers. He’s making everything. Pull-up, mid-range jumpers and floaters alike.

Last night he displayed unexpected hustle on defense as well. His energy was high all game and he made the extra effort to block this shot.

And with no shot-blocker in the game for Philadelphia, he was able to get in the paint and finish over Horford with ease. He’s a dynamite and the only Piston to keep his energy up even when the game was slipping away.

And, as with all dynamites, there’s always a chance it blows up in your face. Rose had six turnovers last night and averages over four through the first three games. A lot of times he makes decisions mid-air and that’s a high-risk strategy.

With Griffin out, he’s forced to be the go-to guy in crunch time and that’s probably not a role that suites him. However, you have to take the good with the bad and right now all Pistons fans are enjoying the hell out of Rose. It’s hard not like him right now.

Overall, the Pistons played a sloppy game. They had no answers for the 76ers big wings, Harris and Scott, and failed to limit Horford late in the game. Drummond’s performance was disappointing and Rose was fantastic for the most part.

It was encouraging to see the Pistons competitive against such a good team given the injuries and foul trouble. Their bench is the real thing. When Griffin and Jackson come back healthy this could be a really good team.