Detroit Pistons: 5 realistic team goals for next season

Detroit Pistons: Play the kids

I know that Dwane Casey is going to be tempted to lean on his veterans, especially early, as he is trying to win, which is his job.

I thought Casey did a pretty good job of allocating minutes last season, and I think it’s fair to say that just about every young player got better under his tutelage.

I like that he made his young guys earn minutes, and when they did, he rewarded them, like when he moved Saddiq Bey into the starting lineup after a strong start to the season.

But he also fell in love with guys like Mason Plumlee, Wayne Ellington (and to a lesser degree Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose) at times, especially late in the season when the games didn’t really matter.

I hope coach Casey gives the young guys every chance to earn those minutes and does not rely too heavily on players like Cory Joseph and Trey Lyles at the expense of Saben Lee and Isaiah Livers.

If the Detroit Pistons are winning and Casey is trying to make a playoff run, by all means, play the guys who are playing well consistently, but if they aren’t, get the kids in there and let them take their lumps.