Possibly the most important thing JB Bickerstaff brought to the Detroit Pistons this season was stability.
Prior to this season, the Pistons’ rotation had been a messy carousel, an ever-changing group of random players who had no business playing together and often made no sense as a unit.
The young players didn’t have clear roles or even know when or if they were going to play from night to night.
Bickerstaff put a stop to that by establishing a consistent rotation where every player knew his role.
He’s stuck to that in the first-round series against the Knicks, going with his main starters and veterans, showing little trust for anyone else.
But he may need to expand his bench a bit in game four, as the Pistons have a chance to wear the Knicks down after their starters played 39+ minutes each in the last game.
He has one guy who can help do it, and we may see more of him today.
Detroit Pistons bench: Time to unleash Ron Holland II
I thought Ron Holland II should have played a bit more than he did in game three, as he was effective in 12 minutes, logging a +7 in the +/- column.
He was a big part of two Pistons’ runs, and even though he doesn’t put up big counting stats, Holland is a guy who makes things happen with his energy, defense and hustle.
He didn’t make a field goal in game three but had two rebounds, a block and got to the free-throw line six times, making them all.
Holland did settle for one open 3-pointer which was in rhythm and not a bad shot even though it didn’t go in, but after that, he attacked the rim and got to the line, something the Pistons need more of in game four.
The Knicks are only playing a 9-man rotation, with only one bench player averaging more than 10 minutes per game and he may be out. Holland can draw fouls and potentially get one of their starters in trouble, and even if not, he will make them work.
The Pistons should use their young legs to their advantage and get Holland in there to hound the Knicks, try to wear them down and get some easy buckets at the rim.
You always need an X-Factor as the underdog trying to pull off an upset, and Holland could be that guy for the Pistons. Holland had some of his best games of the season against the Knicks, averaging eight points, three rebounds and an assist in four regular season games, including a 13 point, five rebound effort back in the win on April 10th.
The Pistons need effective energy from Holland and could use more of it today as they try to wear down the Knicks and send this series back to New York in a 2-2 tie.