Detroit Pistons: 1 question for each player to answer in final 24 games
Questions for the Detroit Pistons: The bench rotation
Frank Jackson
Can Jackson shoot the 3-point shot consistently? Jackson is scoring double digits off the bench and has been the Pistons’ best bench scorer for most of the season. But he’s been wildly inconsistent, especially from 3-point range, which I do think is partially the product of having to miss games with injuries several times this season.
I do think Jackson offers great value for money on his contract, but he needs to shoot better than 31 percent from long range to be part of the long-term plans. I’d love to see him string together 24 consistent games for the Pistons.
Hamidou Diallo
What is Diallo’s role on the Detroit Pistons? Diallo spent most of the beginning of the season fighting to get into the rotation and proving he deserved minutes. Once he got them, his role has been all over the place, as he’s been in the starting lineup and come off the bench. Is he a defense/energy guy off the bench? Can he provide consistent scoring? Do the Pistons view him as part of the long-term plans? He has 24 games to get into a groove, find a role and show how he’ll help this team in the future.
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Killian Hayes
Can Hayes be consistently impactful off the bench? Killian Hayes has not played like an NBA starter this season and has barely played like an NBA player at times. He is still very young and deserves patience, but that is going to wear thin as the Detroit Pistons shift from rebuilding to trying to win games. It would be nice to see him string together 24 solid games where he shows he can make an impact of some kind off the bench. He doesn’t have to score a ton of points to do that, but can’t be an offensive negative either.
Marvin Bagley III
Will MBIII play like a big man? Bagley III can be a force in the paint but spent WAY too much time around the 3-point line for the Kings.
Since joining the Pistons (small sample size alert!) his 3-point attempts have gone way down, and they should, as Bagley III has shot under 30 percent from long range for his career.
The Detroit Pistons need a player who can set screens, roll to the hoop, catch lobs, work out of the short roll and protect the rim. If Bagley III can consistently do those things for them, he will have a long career, but if he fancies himself a “stretch” big, then he can launch bricks somewhere else.
It always amazes me the narratives that follow players around. In Bagley’s case, it’s that he is a “big who can stretch the floor.” No. He. Can’t. Get under the hoop and bully people, which is what you are good at, Detroit has plenty of guys who can miss 3-point shots.