According to Vince Ellis of the the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Pistons have re-signed center Joel Anthony to a two-year, $5 million deal. The 6’9″ veteran out of UNLV was one of the few leaders in the Pistons’ otherwise unstable locker room last season.
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Anthony began the season buried on the bench but as the year went on and the Pistons’ rotation was slowly depleted by injuries and ill-advised trades, Anthony became an important part of head coach Stan Van Gundy’s rotation.
But was bringing back a veteran center like Anthony such a good idea as the Pistons already have two younger centers — Andre Drummond and Aron Baynes — manning that position?
Pros:
Experience
Joel Anthony was one of just three players on the Pistons with more than six years of NBA experience last season. Not only does Anthony know the ins and outs of the league, he is a proven winner and a champion as he was a part of the Miami Heat team for two consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Anthony can show Andre Drummond what it takes to man the middle for a championship caliber team. Anthony was the starting center for the 2010-11 Heat team that ranked fifth in defensive efficiency. Last season’s Pistons ranked just 21st in defensive efficiency. Anthony will be helpful in teaching the youthful Pistons how to play at an elite defensive level.
Rim Protection
The 32-year-old Anthony’s athleticism may be on the decline but he still protects the rim at an elite level. Anthony also improves the Pistons defense as whole as he was first on the Pistons in defensive plus/minus.
The main value of Joel Anthony’s defensive game comes when he is protecting the rim. When Anthony is contesting a shot within six feet, the offensive player only shot 47 percent, per NBA.com. In comparison, new acquisition Aron Baynes allows the opposing players to shoot over 50 percent at the rim. With Anthony re-signed, Stan Van Gundy now has an choice whether to employ the defensive-minded Anthony or the more offensively oriented Baynes.
Cons:
Age
Anthony is 32 and he will be 33 by the start of the next season. Anthony has to start worrying about Father Time limiting his athleticism and his body, since he may not be up to the task of waiting for the Pistons to develop. There were other younger centers available on the market, such as Kevin Seraphin and Cole Aldrich, when the Pistons re-signed Anthony.
Lack of scoring ability
Anthony has never been a strong finisher for a player whose game never strays far from the basket. He can still throw it down when open, but even the faint scent of a defender can throw his offensive game off. Anthony shot just 26.3 percent at the basket with a defender covering him, and his range ends at about four feet from the basket.
Overall, re-signing Joel Anthony was the right move. His veteran leadership will help the provide the Pistons with stability. His defense may have fallen off but he can still form a potent defensive duo with Stanley Johnson off the bench for Detroit. If Anthony fails to produce in his first season back with the team, the Pistons can always cut ties with him as the second year of his contract is non-guaranteed.
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