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Detroit Pistons: Key players with something to prove down the stretch

By Corey Rausch

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons warms up prior to taking on the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons warms up prior to taking on the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Jordan McRae

Another older player looking for a landing spot, Jordan McRae has acquitted himself since being claimed off waivers by the Detroit Pistons. He takes a lot of shots and is not the most efficient player, but he gets buckets. Adding something entertaining to some otherwise downer games cannot be underestimated.

Some other players will get fans in the door (hopefully) down the stretch of this season that we will discuss later on, flashy scoring does not hurt. For McRae, this is a chance to get his name out there as he is looking to catch on somewhere this summer. He is already 28 and is a journeyman. His role on this team going forward, however, may be more about the Detroit Pistons building themselves than McRae doing the same.

Detroit is trying to build a culture that will be appealing to a variety of NBA players and giving veterans a chance, not only young guys, is important. While a youth movement is important, so is gaining respect as a franchise. For too long that has not been the case for the Pistons.

Signing the veterans the Pistons did last summer was a good first step, followed by listening to Derrick Rose when he wanted to stay and Reggie Jackson and Markieff Morris when they wanted to leave. Respect takes work.

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