The Pistons game changer no one will see coming

Ron Holland II has had a wildly inconsistent year offensively, but he could end up being the X-Factor in a deep playoff run for the Detroit Pistons. 

Holland led the bench last night, exploding for 18 points in just 20 minutes while adding three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. 

Holland’s defensive impact has never been in doubt, as he’s often the spark that gets the Pistons going defensively. His ability to get steals and finish in transition is a huge weapon for the Pistons even if he’s not taking or making 3-point shots. 

But if Holland can get hot from 3-point range as he did last night when he knocked down 3-of-4 against the Bucks, it will be a game changer for the Pistons in the playoffs, one that will be difficult to stop. 

Ron Holland’s 3-point shooting is a weapon no one can plan for 

When teams are game planning for the Pistons in the playoffs, it’s doubtful Holland’s name even comes up, as he’s about the 8th option offensively for Detroit. Most of his offensive damage comes in transition, where he is tough to stop once he gets a full head of steam. 

Holland was smooth from the corner last night, and to be honest, his shot has looked fine all season, it just hasn’t gone in much, as he’s only hitting 24 percent of them. 

Because of that, teams tend to let Holland have those shots, and this strategy could be even more pronounced in the playoffs, when teams will dare anyone other than Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren to beat them. 

Holland often gets left wide open, so if he can start hitting those shots more regularly, it would be a game changer for the Pistons. 

The opposite is also true, which is why I said Holland could ultimately be out of the playoff rotation if his shooting turns into an issue. 

The Pistons aren’t counting on much offense from Holland, and he can still make an important impact without making 3’s, so any 3-point makes out of him will be gravy, especially in the playoffs. 

We see this kind of thing almost every year as teams choose a player they will allow to shoot so they can double off him. Holland will be that guy for the Pistons, and if he can force teams to actually guard him out there, it could open up his drive game even more. 

Holland has to take the open shots when they are there, and if he can make some of them, the Pistons will be in good shape, as he’s not a guy other teams are factoring into their plans. 

Detroit will need some heroics from an unlikely source to make a deep run in the playoffs, and Holland showed last night exactly how he can do it.