The joys of a new regime, and the approach of a new season. As the Detroit Pistons step up their preparations for the new campaign, some interesting information is emerging from the team’s front office. With a new coaching staff, and some new executives, it’s hard to know exactly what to expect from the Pistons when the season kicks off, and going by general manager Jeff Bower’s recent comments there’s potential for surprise.
According to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press, Bower wants to see strong competition across all of their positions throughout training camp. This could have a particular relevance for the team’s point guards though, and indeed, they were the focus of Fenech’s piece.
"General manager Jeff Bower said the team’s roles will be competed for, not given, starting Sept. 30, when training camp opens.“We have to compete on a daily basis, as a team,” Bower said. “We have players that have talents and abilities that will create a very competitive environment."
If that wasn’t enough to keep many Pistons players on their toes, Bower went further.
"But it’s how they fit with the team this year, Bower stressed, that will shake things out.“Depth is a very important thing,” he said. “And a willingness to play with teammates.”"
It’s important to note that these sort of comments aren’t necessarily unusual around the NBA at this time of year. Comments about everyone needing to work hard, and places being up for grabs, are nothing new from GMs and coaches, yet theres enough cause to believe that Jeff Bower may be doing more than just paying lip service here.
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With the arrival of Stan Van Gundy, it’s a guarantee that Detroit’s system and style of play is going to be transformed, and within that we can’t be sure of the players he will feel he can trust.
Brandon Jenningsis by far the biggest name of Detroit’s point guard contenders, and he earns the most money, but his decision-making and discipline may not suit his new coach’s eye.
In the past, Van Gundy has shown his ability to create very successful teams without marquee point guards. Take for example the Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson was Van Gundy’s point guard of choice, and he was far from flashy. Instead, Nelson was a competent, well-rounded and reliable player, who could be trusted to contribute to all facets of the game plan.
That Magic team ran through Dwight Howard at center, and Nelson understood that. With the Pistons expected to play in a similar way through Andre Drummond, concerns about Jennings’ play with Drummond opens up opportunities for others.
Free-agent signing D.J. Augustin wouldn’t be fazed by the opportunity to start, as he’s stepped up to do just that on more than one occasion during his time in the NBA. In fact, Augustin thrived under Tom Thibodeau in Chicago, a coach with a strong defensive mindset similar to Van Gundy’s. Like Jennings, Augustin does like to shoot, but generally his decisions aren’t quite as erratic.
Pistons veteran Will Bynum can’t be ruled out of contention either. Having been with Detroit since 2008, Bynum has experienced plenty of change as a Piston, but on the court he has always been competent. Bynum would offer a more physical point guard presence than Jennings or Augustin, and in terms of physique, he’s not too dissimilar to former Van Gundy favorite Jameer Nelson.
Jennings is undoubtedly the most talented of the trio, but all indications seem to be that in this new era for the Detroit Pistons, places will be won on merit alone.
One thing’s for sure, when preseason rolls around, there’ll be a lot of eyes closely fixed on the Pistons point guard rotations.