Pistons rookie has to master Marcus Sasser's most underrated trait

Marcus Sasser’s career in Detroit didn’t go exactly to plan, but he always showed one impressive trait, which was the ability to stay sharp and ready, which is something Pistons’ rookie Ebuka Okorie will have to master. 

Sasser was relegated to third or fourth guard duties for most of last season, appearing in just 38 games in the regular season and four games in the playoffs. 

For whatever reason, Sasser never got a real chance in the rotation even though he usually delivered when he did get an opportunity.

I was always impressed with Sasser’s ability to stay ready even when he hadn’t played for several games, and he put up some big numbers in those situations last season when called upon unexpectedly. 

After not having played for most of the first 32 games of the season because of injury, Sasser was suddenly thrown in for 24 minutes against the Lakers and he scored 19 points in the win. 

He scored 18 in the next game before hitting the bench again, and before long, he was again racking up DNP-CDs. But most of the time Sasser played for more than 15 minutes, he scored in double digits, even after sitting the bench for weeks on end. 

He was again called upon in March for a stretch of games, again hitting double digits several times, and he put up a quick nine points twice in the playoff series against Cleveland when the Pistons were desperate for scoring. 

Sasser never knew when or if he was going to play but managed to come into games hot even after sitting for extended periods. Sasser was a small but important part of last year’s success, as he filled in when he was needed most, didn’t complain or sulk, but stayed ready for his number to be called. 

It’s a skill Ebuka Okorie will have to master, as he’ll be in the same situation. 

Ebuka Okorie is taking over the Marcus Sasser role 

With Sasser headed to Dallas, Pistons rookie Ebuka Okorie is the most likely to take those deep guard minutes or to be an emergency fill-in if there are injuries. 

Unless he really impresses in training camp and preseason, Okorie will be like Sasser was last season, on the outside of the rotation looking in and waiting for his chance. 

He’s not likely to get many of them right away, so also like Sasser, he’ll need to deliver impact when he does get on the court, whether it is in spot minutes or longer stretches if there is someone injured. 

It’s not an easy skill to master, especially for a rookie, which is why Sasser’s professionalism and readiness were so valuable, as they are usually traits of veterans. 

Okorie will have to adjust to life on the bench and part of that is being prepared even if you are not going to play. 

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