The Detroit Pistons will take on the New Orleans Pelicans tonight in Little Caesar’s Arena in a battle of two teams on opposite ends of the standings.
The Pistons currently have the third-worst record in the NBA, while the Pelicans are third in the super-competitive Western Conference.
Both teams have had myriad injuries to their stars this season, as Cade Cunningham has missed most of it, and both Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have missed considerable time for the Pelicans.
One of the reasons New Orleans has been able to overcome injuries to their stars is that they have a deep roster with additional veterans who can step up in CJ McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr. but also because they have quality role players who are the perfect complements.
This is something the Detroit Pistons have been lacking over the last few seasons, as their role players have been largely ineffective and have been questionable fits with the stars. Detroit hopefully has some of the young star talent in place already, but needs quality role players who not only know their part but can step up when the stars go down.
Detroit Pistons vs. New Orleans Pelicans: The role players Detroit needs
Every team needs guys who aren’t stars, but play a particular role and do it well. The New Orleans Pelicans have been amazing at finding these players later in the draft or outside of it altogether and have gotten the perfect complements to their stars.
Naji Marshall
One of my favorite role players in the league, Marshall went undrafted and was signed by the Pelicans as a free agent. It has taken some time, but he has rounded into one of their most important players. He doesn’t care about stats, will guard anyone, acts as the team’s enforcer and has stepped up in a larger role with Brandon Ingram out. He’s the ultimate glue guy and will do whatever the team needs on a given night. He’s a versatile defender and has shown he can score when the Pels need him to. He’s the kind of player I wish Hamidou Diallo was on a more consistent basis, though Diallo has been good of late.
Jose Alvarado
Another undrafted free agent, Alvarado has evolved into the heart and soul of the Pelicans’ bench, mostly because of his tenacious on-the-ball defense. Alvarado is mostly known as a defensive pest who will pick up players full court, but he’s also gotten much better at running the offense and scoring in bunches off the bench. He’s a fan favorite and a guy who changes the energy of the game every time he steps on the floor. Players like Alvarado inspire their teammates with effort and energy. The Detroit Pistons do not currently have a player like this coming off the bench, but could sure use one, as their defense has been atrocious and their energy has been inconsistent.
Herb Jones
Speaking of defense, Jones is a specialist and one of the best wing defenders in the league. New Orleans got him in the second round, which shows the value of drafting well, as he has been a starter since day one. Jones couldn’t care less about scoring, which is great when you have three volume shooters in the starting five. Instead, he just takes on the toughest defensive assignment every night, makes hard cuts to the hoop and knocks down the occasional 3-point shot. Jones isn’t going to impress with his offense, but he will defend anyone from Chris Paul to Kevin Durant depending on the matchup. The Pistons’ biggest need right now is for a wing defender like Jones and the Pelicans got him in the second round.
The Detroit Pistons need more talent overall, but they also need some gritty, defensive-minded role players who are proud and eager to do whatever the team needs from them. Aside from grabbing another high draft pick and hopefully some talent in free agency, the Pistons need to find some guys like this, as they are a big part of the reason the Pelicans have emerged as a contender this season.