It's always tough to compare the present to the past, especially when it comes to the Detroit Pistons, whose glory days are long behind them.
Who do some of today’s most important Pistons stars remind us of? Specifically, who do they remind me of, although I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Jaden Ivey (Rodney Stuckey)
A few come to mind here, and the first one is Rodney Stuckey. Stuckey, when drafted in 2007, was seen as a possible point guard of the future but it was also known at the time that he was more of a combo guard, and his ability to run the offense to that extent was going to require a tremendous amount of determination on his part.
He was strong, athletic and could get to the basket, traits that Ivey had from day one. Stuckey spent 7 of his 10 NBA seasons with the Pistons but ultimately failed to deliver on the hopes of many Pistons fans who saw a poor-man’s Dwyane Wade in him. Ivey is entering an important year that will help him to determine whether he’s another athletic but under skilled combo guard destined to disappoint or if he can elevate his game and make a difference – be it here in Detroit, or elsewhere.
Isaiah Stewart (Jason Maxiell)
Jason Maxiell was a barrel-chested late first round pick who was called on to do some of the dirty work in the paint for the Pistons. Although Stewart was drafted in the middle of the first round, he was sought after for some of the same characteristics that made Max appealing. Maxiell was 6-foot-7, 260 pounds, while Beef Stew is a hair taller at 6-foot-8 and weighed in at 250. Stewart has started more games than Maxiell did, but Maxiell joined a far superior team. While there are definite similarities between the two, Stewart seems to be well on his way to developing a much more well-rounded game than his predecessor Maxiell.