The Detroit Pistons are making everyone earn minutes, except Blake Griffin.
The Detroit Pistons hired Dwane Casey in part to change the losing culture of the team, but he is currently fostering one by continuing to play Blake Griffin big minutes.
Casey has said time and time again that guys like Sekou Doumbouya, Isaiah Stewart and Saddiq Bey have to “earn” minutes and I totally agree with this philosophy.
Playing young guys 35 minutes a night is not always best for their development. They need to be out there to grow and learn, yes, but young guys can also build bad habits when they get too much run on a bad team.
This also isn’t a training wheel league. The NBA has the best players in the world and no one should be handed minutes just because they were chosen in the lottery or have potential.
Casey has benched the young players after poor games or cut their minutes, as he has done recently with Saddiq Bey and Svi Mykhailiuk.
But what about Blake Griffin?
Detroit Pistons: Why is Blake Griffin playing so much?
Blake Griffin once again led the team in minutes, logging 36 against the Miami Heat in the Pistons’ loss.
On one hand, this makes sense. Blake Griffin is the team’s veteran leader and he has earned the right to play through his struggles as he tries to get back into game form.
The Detroit Pistons would also like to trade Griffin at some point, so showcasing him makes sense.
I understand the logic but when Blake Griffin is playing this poorly, it seems far less reasonable.
Blake Griffin had five points in 36 minutes on 2-of-8 shooting. He had five rebounds. He had one assist, the same number Isaiah Stewart had in his 12 minutes.
It seems hypocritical to tell your players they have to earn minutes when Blake Griffin is playing terribly and still getting them.
I am not saying he should be benched or should only play in mop-up duty, but I can’t see the argument for playing him 35 minutes ever.
Right now all the Detroit Pistons are “showcasing” is that Blake Griffin is washed and that they have a double standard when it comes to minutes.
What exactly are you teaching the young players here? If you want to change the culture, you don’t do it by having two sets of rules, one for the young guys and one for the former All-Star.
The Detroit Pistons are not only hurting their chances of winning but are also stunting the growth of guys like Doumbouya and lessening Blake Griffin’s value at the same time.
I would love to see Blake play closer to 25-28 minutes a game in effective bursts instead of watching him flounder while the future of the team rides the bench.
I am all for “earning” minutes but that should apply to everyone.