Detroit Pistons: 3 baffling problems in blowout loss to Knicks
Detroit Pistons: The 2 “Big” lineup needs a real big
Dwane Casey started Isaiah Stewart and Marvin Bagley III last night. It was Beef Stew’s first game back from injury and he actually had a decent night offensively, knocking down five from long range and finishing with 19 points.
It was the other end where he had problems, as Julius Randle scored 36 points and Mitchell Robinson grabbed 13 boards.
Stew didn’t get much help from his starting front court mate and the two of them had just 12 rebounds combined, one fewer than Robinson had by himself.
The Pistons were out-rebounded by 19 overall, and it wasn’t just the centers who were lacking on the boards. The two starting forwards combined for a three rebounds, showing once again how Detroit needs a defensive/rebounding upgrade at the wing, as they are getting virtually none of either from their guys.
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If you are going to start two “Bigs,” there needs to be some advantage to doing so, but the Detroit Pistons can’t seem to find it, as neither of their bigs are really centers, but more tweener power forwards who can sometimes play the five.
Bagley III is pretty much a one-trick pony who doesn’t do much on the defensive end or on the boards and Stew is undersized against most NBA fives. If they are going to start two bigs, shouldn’t one of them be Jalen Duren? I don’t see the point of starting two big men if neither of the protect the rim or grab many rebounds.
The Detroit Pistons are 28th in the NBA in defensive rebounding, which is a big factor in their poor defense, as they aren’t closing out possessions on the rare occasion when the opponent misses a shot.