Following a team meeting after a tough stretch of games for the Detroit Pistons, things could be shaken up in the starting rotation sooner rather than later.
The Pistons have lost three out of their last four games by 14 points or more, for the exception of a 10-point win against the moribund Dallas Mavericks. The fighting spirit the team displayed to start the year without their starting point guard Reggie Jackson seems to have slowly vanished as he made his return into the lineup, causing an already solid chemistry to show imbalances.
Head coach Stan Van Gundy is considering making changes to the starting lineup as it's failed to show the intensity and effort he wants to see in his team.
“We have to look at everything, because that lineup has not played well,” Van Gundy told the Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. “Even in the games we've won, that lineup has not played well. So how long are you going to call it an adjustment phase and trot them out there? Or do you make a change?”
Ellis pointed out that forward Jon Leuer could be in the running for a starting gig as their bench acquisition has averaged career-highs across the board with 10.8 points on 50.4 percent from the floor, along with 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists through 16.8 minutes of playing time.
The change could be for either Tobias Harris or Marcus Morris, both dynamic forwards acquired last season.
Harris, who's averaged 16.1 points per game along with 4.6 rebounds is a solid scorer who has seen his opportunities decline with a ball-dominant point guard like Jackson who is often the first choice on offense as he decides whether the ball leaves his hands or stays.
Morris is averaging 13.8 points per game and 4.1 rebounds, but is the most physical defender of the two, as well as the vocal leader.
The sensible option would be to move Harris to the bench, making him the first option of the second unit and benefitting his ability to score from the block and the perimeter. Morris would move up to small forward and Leuer would take Morris' place as a stretch four with a better interior presence.
Follow Us
Subscribe