Pistons exec found ‘Playin’ the kids’ can actually improve team
The Detroit Pistons intentionally have veterans on the team to help hold things up while the younger players gain experience. Well, the older players have not stopped the roof from falling in, as Detroit has the worst record in the NBA. But the past shows, replacing vets with inexperienced players does not always mean the team will get worse.
Before Ed Stefanski became a senior advisor to the owner of the Pistons (and de facto general manager between Stan Van Gundy and Troy Weaver), he was in charge of the Philadelphia 76ers from 2007 to 2011.
About a third into the 2008-9 NBA season, Stefanski decided the team was going nowhere and fired coach Maurice Cheeks, a very popular former player. Five years later, Cheeks would only last 50 games in Detroit, before he was fired.
Stefanski pulled assistant general manager Tony DiLeo out of the front office and made him the interim coach. DiLeo had not been on an NBA bench in 15 years but, at the time, it did not seem to matter.
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Stefanski was not looking for Xs & Os wizardry. He wanted DiLeo to play the young players, see what they had, and evaluate the team.
Ironically, with winning now not a priority, the Sixers ended up turning its fortunes around and winning, going 14-4, in one stretch.
At the end of the season:
Cheeks: 9-14
DiLeo: 32-27
The Sixers would go on to lose in six games to the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs.
The biggest moves DiLeo made were internal. New players like Thaddeus Young (yes, at one time Young was young) and Marreese Speights began getting a lot more playing time.
They had other promising youngsters, like Sixth Man extraordinaire Lou Williams and future Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. They now got leaned on even more, and saw their playing time increased.
Some veterans, like Detroit native Willie Green and Andre Miller did still see some action. But they were … good … and helped guide the young players too. Green went on to become an NBA coach and Miller was always a very heady player, so they were great role models.
What could the Pistons learn from the 2008-09 76ers?
The Sixers had a slow start, began playing young players, benched the veterans who were not helping, and turned things around.
Now, we are not calling for Dwane Casey to be fired, as he is starting to turn to ‘playin’ the kids’. The point is, by playing Saben Lee, Jamorko Pickett,, Isaiah Livers and Luka Garza more than they have, Detroit could still win games, and maybe more than if they kept things the way they are.
Young players inject energy and excitement. They are fearless as they don’t know what they don’t know.
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Tanking is not needed now, Detroit’s record is so bad, they do not have to worry, they will have plenty of ping pong balls at the NBA Draft lottery. The Pistons can play the kids and try to turn its record around.
If Detroit starts winning after removing most vets, it won’t be the first time it occurred for Stefanski.