Arguably, the biggest loss on the Detroit Pistons' roster over this offseason was 3-point shooting. The team’s two most prolific shooters last season, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., are not on the roster to start next season. The two combined for almost 500 threes last season, and tracking data shows how their impact went beyond just made shots.
Detroit Pistons: Creative Role for Shooters
Both players ranked top 10 in the NBA in pick-and-roll screener positions among guards. The overall volume wasn’t huge spread out over an entire season, but still shows that these guys were willing to do the dirty work.
The Pistons are hoping to replace Beasley and Hardaway Jr’s impact with Duncan Robinson and the returning Jaden Ivey. These players draw similar attention from defenses, but including them in more screening possessions can amplify their impact even more.
Having a more dynamic offense with increased off-ball activity for all players, even your star ball handlers, is typically better for halfcourt production. With Robinson’s shooting and Ivey’s dual threat of exploding to the rim or launching from deep, teams will be glued to them on the perimeter. Using them as screeners for Cade Cunningham or even off-ball for other players can cause confusion in the defense and lead to great results for the Pistons.
As it stands on paper, the Pistons don’t necessarily have the personnel for an elite halfcourt offense. Instead, their success will be predicated on defense and running out in transition with their elite athletes. However, slowing it down and succeeding in half-court possessions will always be key in the clutch and postseason.
Rather than having a stagnant and predictable offense, adding creative wrinkles like guard screening is a great way for the Pistons to take another step offensively. It can decrease the burden on Cade Cunningham and make his reads a little easier. And it can help alleviate the spacing issues that the team’s continued lack of overall shooting can otherwise create.
J.B. Bickerstaff showed great success as a defensive-minded coach last season and guided the Pistons to tremendous regular season success. Elevating the team and his own coaching to the next level in the playoffs may require some creative offensive ideas like this one.