3 options for the Detroit Pistons with Reggie Jackson out
By Eli Bashi
2. Point Blake
With Blake Griffin set to return sometime in the coming weeks, perhaps making him the primary ball handler wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Similar to what the Lakers do with LeBron James, put Griffin at the point, surround him with shooters, and see how it goes. It can’t be any worse than the games Frazier started.
Getting Blake back in and of itself will be a gigantic boost to the Pistons and with his outside game only improving over the past few years, and the Pistons trying to manage his usage, maybe making him more of a facilitator rather than a guy who posts up all game, would help keep Blake healthy going into the playoffs. Something Blake has had a hard time doing in his career.
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The starting lineup would look something like Griffin, Langston Galloway, Kennard, Tony Snell, and Andre Drummond. The bench might struggle to score, but I’d be interested to see how well this lineup is able to score with Blake drawing double teams in the pick and roll and kicking it out to our best shooters.
Blake averaged 5.4 assists per game last year and most expect that number to go up this year with improved shooting and the way the coaching staff is going to want Blake to play. Less bully ball isolation, and more 4-5 pick and roll with Drummond.
Managing Griffin’s work load in game this year is huge. Less post ups aggravating his body, and more sets where he’s handling the ball on the outside. Until Jackson gets back, this is probably the most fun option the Pistons have to replace him.