The Pistons have been so good this season that fans are starting to argue about non-issues, such as the use of the team’s depth. Coach JB Bickerstaff has erred on the side of using the team’s incredible depth as an advantage. For once, the Pistons have bench players who can fill in for their starters when needed and Bickerstaff has rewarded them accordingly.
Relying on depth in the regular season is not a problem
This approach may not necessarily work in the playoffs when opposing teams shorten their rotations to keep their best players in for more minutes. Coaches also target gameplans to take advantage of weaknesses that lesser players have, so keeping your most ironclad pieces on the court is a priority. But keeping a longer rotation in the regular season can have many advantages, including more rest for stars and added experience for role players.
The Pistons’ first loss in almost a month to the Celtics on Wednesday night exposed the team’s need for secondary scoring from players not named Cade Cunningham. Bickerstaff received criticism for playing 11 players in a tight game with NBA Cup ramifications, but it's ultimately just another regular season game. And exposing more players to intense environments without the high stakes of the postseason will give the Pistons more options come April.
Already, the "next man up" approach has worked wonders for the Pistons in finding hidden talents on their team. Even when projected starters like Jaden Ivey have missed time, the Pistons have found suitable fill-ins that make them stronger in the long run. Ivey is now again on the injury report for tonight's game as he gets reacclimated to full-speed gameplay, and the Pistons are prepared for it because of Bickerstaff's approach.
It's also worth noting that Bickerstaff's rotation is not costing the Pistons games so far. They sit at 15-3 and are absolutely fulfilling the best-case scenario up to this point. Yes, the loss to the Celtics was a bad one but no team is perfect. Additionally, the Pistons have played a lot of weaker teams recently so it's understandable that Bickerstaff would want to experiment with different lineups knowing that his starters can easily close out the game.
During the short term of the regular season, Bickerstaff's extended rotation may frustrate some fans when they see a benchwarmer check in during a close game. But it's a patient tactic that will pay dividends in the future and make the team more resilient to injuries and different matchups. Opposing teams may be able to take away certain role players in the playoffs, but it will be difficult to game plan for the Pistons' entire bench if they are all ready to step up.