Best and worst-case scenarios for the Pistons’ centers

Detroit Pistons: Best-case/worst-case scenario for each center

Marvin Bagley III

Best-case scenario

For me, the best-case scenario is that MBIII comes off the bench as the backup center and dominates on both ends. We know he can score, especially around the hoop, so feeding him the rock as the primary scoring option in the second unit would be a great way to take advantage of that.

Hopefully Bagley III will be happy thriving in this role, will have some monster games for Detroit off the bench and be in the running for 6th Man of the Year after averaging 16 points and 8 rebounds for the season.

Worst-case scenario

The worst-case scenario is pretty much what we saw in Sacramento, which is MBIII not utilized properly, not getting enough minutes or touches and him falling out with the coaches and team.

I don’t think that is going to happen with Dwane Casey, but coach Casey did mention that he planned on using MBIII as a power forward at times and that he needs to increase his range.

Ugh.

As I wrote about in my “questions for the starters” piece (this was before the Bojan trade), Bagley III has been abysmal outside of nine feet from the hoop, so hearing coach Casey say he needs to take more of these shots does not inspire confidence. I think the worst-case scenario is that Detroit tries to force him into this role so that he can play with Noel or Duren, and that Bagley III ends up launching a bunch of threes this season, doesn’t make them, gets benched and ends up angry again.