JB Bickerstaff may have finally had realization that has Pistons fans nodding

Pistons fans have made Caris Levert their scapegoat all year, and it appears JB Bickerstaff may finally agree. 

LeVert has struggled all season on both ends and that continued last night, when he had more turnovers (2) than points (1) in 17 minutes. 

In one stretch, LeVert turned the ball over twice and had a blown defensive assignment within the span of a minute. LeVert had several defensive lapses last night, which is likely why he ended up on the bench. 

Coach Bickerstaff has been stubborn with LeVert and on the surface, it makes sense. LeVert has been dealing with nagging injuries, and the Pistons do need his scoring off the bench. It's logical to try and get him going before the playoffs.

If they were getting the 15 points per game that LeVert has averaged for much of his career, you could overlook some of the other stuff, but they are not getting that either, so it’s time JB Bickerstaff makes a change, and we may have seen the beginning of that last night. 

Marcus Sasser finally got a chance 

Pistons fans have been begging to see more of Marcus Sasser as LeVert continues to struggle, and he finally got off the bench last night. He struggled offensively as well, but what did you expect? The guy hasn’t played in weeks and was thrown into a heated game in the middle of the third quarter after not seeing any action up until that point. 

I thought he did a good job defensively on Merrill, and even though the shots didn’t fall, Sasser got some good looks that he usually knocks down. 

It was telling that coach Bickerstaff went with Sasser and Jenkins late in the game while LeVert was thankfully on the bench. Jenkins showed he has the big-game gene, and Sasser at least showed he can hold his own. Let him get into a rhythm, and those shots will start to fall. 

LeVert didn’t return to the game even after Cade Cunningham fouled out, which was surprising and perhaps a sign that Bickerstaff is ready to give other players a chance. 

Kevin Huerter hasn’t been good in limited minutes thus far, but he’s another player coach Bickerstaff can turn to instead of LeVert to provide some kind of scoring punch. It can’t hurt at this point, as LeVert isn’t providing anything. 

I hate to be too harsh on LeVert, but he’s the only player in the rotation who has not carved out a role for himself, and the Pistons have other players who can step up. 

I expected LeVert to have some monster games for Detroit this season, and he may still have a role to play if he can right the ship, but the Pistons can’t wait forever when they have Sasser and Huerter on the bench.