Detroit Pistons: How worrisome are Saddiq Bey’s struggles?

We have all experienced it before, even if you do not play for the Detroit Pistons. Lashing out at parents or friends, seething at a co-worker, honking at the driver ahead of us. Something that, following introspection, inspired the question: Was it actually my fault?

Saddiq Bey, the Detroit Pistons’ 19th pick from the 2020 NBA Draft, has fallen short of expectations born out of a revelatory rookie season. When the Villanova product premiered on the big stage, he averaged 12.2 points, 4.5 boards, and 1.2 assists per night on an impressive 40/38/84 shooting split.

For newly-minted general manager Troy Weaver’s first draft at the helm, it was a dream beginning. He found a diamond in the rough outside of the lottery.

His sophomore campaign has appeared far less fruitful. Is Bey falling short of projections or did the fans simply expect too much growth too soon?

Detroit Pistons: Saddiq Bey’s shooting

Through the first 11 games of Detroit’s season, Bey’s averages have improved to 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, but on abysmal 36/26/72 splits.

The limited damage he has done has come from his shot-creation near the rim compared to his long-range prowess. Over 63 percent of his shots came from beyond the arc last season, compared to 41 percent this year. Despite operating closer to the basket, his 41-percent effective field goal percentage ranks in the bottom 10th of the league, per Cleaning the Glass.

Bey’s lackluster shooting may not stand out given the entire team’s historically poor shot-making.

But, it’s noteworthy that one of the league’s next potential snipers has been one of its most inaccurate thus far. Eleven games is hardly enough of a sample size for Pistons brass to flinch and incite change. But it’s enough of a display to raise an eyebrow.

Bey took a small step forward on Saturday. He scored 16 points in the win over Toronto, but only shot 4-for-11 (although he was 3 for 7 from three-point land).

Given what we know about what Bey can do, though, the wing has earned the benefit of the doubt that this slump is temporary.

It’s even reasonable to assume that his current style of play is being encouraged. The 3-point shooting, though yet to be unlocked this season, is there. We have seen it. Bey is now being provided the opportunity to expand his arsenal. This experiment was evident in the Summer League, when Bey played above the competition, taking defenders off the bounce and testing his footwork down low.

Sure, the results have been mixed so far in the regular season. His 3-ball has fallen off a cliff and he’s had variable success at the rim. His 55-percent accuracy at the long mid-range shot is in the top 10 percentile of the NBA, per Cleaning the Glass. Putting it all together with consistency is a skill of its own.

This brings the discussion back to expectations.

The Pistons were never angling to compete for the playoffs this season. They are still one of the youngest teams in the league susceptible to the turnovers and inconsistencies that often accompany youth.

Allowing Bey the freedom to operate in a new space — bringing the ball up the court, initiating at the elbow, taking guys off the dribble — is the natural evolution of a 3-and-D draftee. The results shouldn’t be good to start with. This is still a rare and welcome sight from a player drafted 19th overall last season.

If these shortcomings are sustained for too long, though, is when the tough questions can start to be asked. That time might not be this season.