Detroit Pistons: Some ‘injuries’ stranger than others in NBA tank land

What is up with Mason Plumlee and Jahlil Okafor?

Who is playing center for the Detroit Pistons has been a bit of a mystery of late, outside of Isaiah Stewart.

Regular starter Mason Plumlee has been out, not a shocking development since it opens more playing time for the rookie Stewart.

However, another veteran, Jahlil Okafor, has been getting playing time recently. Considering Okafor is signed for next season, and with Plumlee and Stewart most likely returning as well (and the team possibly getting USC center Evan Mobley in the draft), why he is playing and Plumlee not seems odd.

Let’s look at each issue separately:

Why does Mason Plumlee need so much rest?

All the Detroit regular rotation players who have been sitting out game after game at least have some cockamamie excuse of an injury attached to why they are not playing.

Are the reports of the injury true: Probably. By the end of the NBA regular season, particularly one where the schedule is so compressed, no player is 100-percent healthy by this point. Everyone has something physically wrong with them, most just play through it.

Interestingly, Plumlee is never listed with an injury. It has always been due to ‘Rest’ that he is out. The Memphis game on Thursday was the fifth straight game he did not play due to rest.

Considering Plumlee only averages 22 minutes a game, it is not like Casey was playing him to exhaustion.

One possibility for using ‘rest’ as the reason for sitting, is that Plumlee has an invitation to USA Olympic training camp.

Plumlee, who was on the USA World Championship team, would be a long-shot to make the team. However, he might want to signal that he is healthy and ready to go, if selected, to go to Tokyo, so he did not want an injury attached to his name.

Why is Jahlil Okafor playing for Detroit Pistons? Why not

Okafor, like many players on this year’s roster, is player looking for a chance to redeem himself.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, Jahlil Okafor has struggled to find a team to call home.

He signed a two-year contract with Detroit this year and began the year as the backup center to Mason Plumlee.

Okafor was doing pretty well, but then had to sit out a couple of games due to injury. That allowed Isaiah Stewart to see some quality playing time. The rookie took advantage and showed his tremendous potential.

Now the third-string center, things got even worse for Okafor in February, when he had to undergo an operation to clean the meniscus in the his left knee.

His last game for Detroit had been January 30. Okafor returned to the court on April 8, scoring 11 points against Sacramento.

He actually had a nice game on Thursday against Memphis, scoring 13 points in 17 minutes.

Okafor has not played badly at all for the Pistons, making 63.8% of his attempts and giving them a low-post presence they can certainly use.

But why is he playing?

Okafor’s under contract for next season. With Plumlee and Stewart presumably returning (and the possible addition of USC center Evan Mobley), there is apparently really no need to evaluate. If, and don’t be surprised if he’s released or traded ,  Okafor is back, he will simply be third string.

Okafor is in his fifth season, so he is no kid working on his development.

Yes, Okafor certainly helps them on the court, but a lot of other guys who would be helpful are not playing.

The reason could be as simple as coach Casey feels sorry for all the time Okafor missed due to knee surgery, and is letting him get some games in.

Okafor is also being given a showcase for other NBA teams by playing. But it is interesting that he is the lone, what one could call ‘vet’ that is still getting on the court.

There is no guide on ‘How an NBA should Tank properly’. Management and coach Casey have had long discussions undoubtedly on who sits and who will play.

But those decisions have certainly brought up some interesting circumstances.