Player grades from Pistons’ 112-106 loss to the Bulls

Point Guards

Derrick Rose: B

The Pistons’ starters get behind early. Rose comes into the game and instantly starts scoring to get the team back in it. Rose feels the pressure of being the team’s only consistent scorer, tries to do too much, and starts turning the ball over in the second half. Sound familiar?

Rose has carried the Pistons in the absence of Griffin, and while it has been fun to watch at times, this type of usage is not sustainable. It’s already taken its toll on Rose, especially in the second half of games, when he is noticeably slower, takes worse shots, and turns the ball over at a high rate.

Rose got some MVP chants from his hometown crowd before entering the game, and for short spurts he looks the part, but he also looks like he has already played 50 games, which he probably won’t if the Pistons continue to lean on him like this.

Rose had 23 points in 25 minutes but also added four turnovers, including two very costly ones late in the game. Rose has been one of the few bright spots this season, but the Pistons can’t keep using him like this or he’ll be sitting on the bench next to Griffin in a suit.

Tim Frazier D-

There’s not much to say about Frazier other than it looks as though the Pistons’ hunt for a serviceable third point guard will have to continue. Frazier was non-factor in 17 minutes of play, scoring 3 points on 1-7 shooting and adding 2 assists. He has been thrust into the starting role due to injuries and will hopefully be more useful when he is not trying to guard NBA starters, but for now he doesn’t bring much to the table. The only good thing I can say is that Frazier didn’t have a turnover and didn’t miss any three-pointers, but he also didn’t take any. Let’s move on.