Detroit Pistons 2019-2020 player grade: Christian Wood

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on January 5, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

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Detroit Pistons Christian Wood. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

What Wood didn’t do so well

While the effort that went into improving his game (specifically on defense) this season was admirable, there’s still plenty of work that needs to be done.

Wood often struggles with his placement on the floor, sometimes getting caught in no man’s land and has trouble defending dominant big men. His length matches up well, but his weight doesn’t. Evolving as a more reliable rim protector will ensure his place in the rotation moving forward.

His scoring abilities clearly took enormous strides as the season progressed, but the rest of his offensive game more or less stayed the same.

light. Related Story. How Christian Wood can improve for the Detroit Pistons

Wood is a pretty average passer, and his feel for the game mainly comes when he’s looking to score. Not that he necessarily gets tunnel vision, but his passing isn’t quite at a level where he can move the needle for Detroit.

If he were able to improve his court vision along with his ball handling and his playmaking, then the Pistons could elect to run dribble hand-offs with Wood the way that they did with Blake Griffin in 2018-2019.

Wood’s handles aren’t all the way there yet. Sometimes it looks a bit clunky if he’s outside of the post, but he’s got a quick first step that can get him passed nearly any defender. If he develops more moves with the basketball and combines it with his speed, he could be outstanding.

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