One of the most concerning parts of the Detroit Pistons’ season has been the play of Saddiq Bey, who has been mired in a season-long funk.
Bey’s numbers are down across the board and he is shooting just 34.5 percent overall and just 29 percent from 3-point range.
He hasn’t just been missing them either, as some of his bricks in the last game threatened the structural integrity of the backboards at Little Caesar’s Arena.
This is why coach Dwane Casey wouldn’t rule out a stint in the G-League for Saddiq Bey when he was asked by reporters:
On the potential of Saddiq Bey spending time with the Cruise to get his rhythm back, Casey said it's a fair consideration. "It's to get your confidence, see the ball go through the hole, get your reps." Doesn't mean it'll happen, but Casey isn't ruling it out.
— Offseason O (@omarisankofa) December 13, 2021
If you’ve watched the games lately, then you’ve seen that Bey looks lost, and that his poor shooting is affecting other parts of his game.
There are several theories for Bey’s shooting problems. One is that he tried to add too much to his offensive game, taking more shots off the dribble and trying to create, which messed with the rhythm of his shot.
Some actually believe that one of the coaches “changed” his shot, which seems the least likely theory. Others just think this is a standard “sophomore slump” and that Bey will eventually figure it out.
Whether Bey took on too much too soon or is just going through a normal struggle, would a trip to the G-League help?
Would going to the G-League help Saddiq Bey?
A trip to the G-League isn’t always what the doctor ordered when it comes to fixing a guy’s shot. Some players see this as a demotion and allow it to kill whatever confidence they had left.
Others find more confidence dominating inferior competition, as Saben Lee seemingly did this season, using big games in the G-League to propel him back into the NBA with some momentum.
There is also the possibility that the player doesn’t play well or “see the ball go through the hole,” in which case you are left with a guy who is even more lost than when he was assigned.
In my opinion, Saddiq Bey should be allowed to figure things out with the Detroit Pistons, as they aren’t winning anyway and it’s not like his play alone is the reason. I’d prefer he move to the bench, where the spotlight won’t shine so brightly on his shooting problems and he won’t have to take on the toughest defensive assignment.
Bey has only scored in double-digits in two of his last eight games, so something has to change, whether it is a move to the bench, a change in shot selection (three’s only!) or a trip to the G-League, as Bey has regressed so far and the Pistons need to get him on track.