Detroit Pistons: Midseason team awards for 2018-19
By Amaar Burton
Sixth Man of the Year: Ish Smith
Smith has been sidelined since early December with a groin injury, but when he was in the lineup, he jump-started the Pistons’ offense as the backup point guard.
His best performance this season came in one of Detroit’s signature wins — Smith scored 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting in the overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 23; better known as the game in which Blake Griffin dropped 50 points.
Smith played so well early in the season that some Detroit fans and media suggested he replace Reggie Jackson in the starting lineup.
Casey did find success using Smith and Jackson on the court together in three-guard lineups, with Smith as the primary playmaker and Jackson focusing more on scoring.
The Pistons were 13-9 before Smith got hurt. Since he’s been out, they’ve gone 4-14.
The eighth-year journeyman is on his 10th NBA team, and his three-year stint with the Pistons is the longest he’s stuck with any squad. He is averaging 9.2 points and 3.0 assists this season, but his value to the squad goes beyond the stat sheet.
When Smith is on the court, the Pistons are simply a faster, better, and more fun team to watch.