Detroit Pistons: It’s time to start the youth movement
Injuries and schedule
Even with Reggie Jackson’s productive return, Detroit is still without many key players. Blake Griffin is done, Luke Kennard continues to miss significant time, Tony Snell has been in and out, Derrick Rose is on a minutes limitation and even ironman Drummond missed a couple of games after his tooth got knocked out.
The Pistons have been throwing out lineups that include Thon Maker starting at center, which is a pretty good indication of their desperation. The Pistons keep trying to piece together rag-tag lineups of whatever veterans happen to be available that night and are losing anyway, so why not give the young guys a chance? Things really can’t get much worse.
analysis. Svi Mykhailiuk taking advantage of void left by Luke Kennard. light
The schedule also gets brutal. The Pistons have enjoyed the easiest schedule in the NBA thus far, but things are about to change. They have tough games remaining in February against teams like the Nuggets, Raptors and Bucks before starting March when they will play the toughest schedule in the NBA.
If they were facing this challenge at full strength then there might be an argument for going for it, but with the injuries and brutal schedule it’s time to admit that this season is over and start playing the youth. They probably won’t win, but the young guys can get reps and take their lumps against the best players in the league, so there is at least some value in losing.