There can solely be one certainty on the listing for the Detroit Pistons As their first week of coaching camp involves a detailed, the ball will usually be within the palms of Cade Cunningham.
Nonetheless, when Cunningham sits, the group takes an all-around method to maintain the offense transferring.
The Pistons do not have a standard level guard on the roster, so head coach JB Bickerstaff equips everybody on the roster to deal with the ball. A hierarchy might finally emerge as issues progress, however everybody on the roster will be capable to present what they’re able to. At the least at first.
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“We might not have guys who’re traditionally initiators, however now we have guys who can deal with the ball, make performs and use their intelligence,” he mentioned after Friday’s apply. “You are going to see a ton of fellows with us who’ve the ball of their palms and who make selections. We might not at all times have a major ball handler, however we will cut up him up and make ourselves somewhat more durable to protect.
Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser are closest to the “level guard” mildew, and each dealt with the ball final season when Cunningham sat. Ivey, after all, additionally has the higher a part of a full season of level guard reps underneath his belt after changing the injured Cunningham as a rookie in 2022-23.
To date, he and Sasser have offered themselves extra as combo guards — Ivey has been turnover-prone, and Sasser had a low help share for a degree guard final season (25.3%, rating in thirty fifth percentile amongst gamers at his place in accordance with Clear the glass).
Whether or not or not he is the first ball handler, Ivey’s velocity is one thing Bickerstaff is raring to make use of as a weapon.
“It’ll be everybody,” Bickerstaff mentioned. “If you happen to bounce the ball defensively, you might have the inexperienced mild to deal with it and get it up the court docket. So long as you make the correct selections. We give everybody this chance from the beginning, let’s examine who can and might’t do it after which we’ll go from there.
“What we do ought to swimsuit him and what we attempt to do with all the fellows is put them ready of energy, and that is one in every of his strengths,” Bickerstaff added of Ivey’s velocity. “We’re going to attempt to use this as finest we will and see what we get out of it.”
Bickerstaff’s offensive system – and the liberty it gives – has been a relentless subject all through camp. Jalen Duren, who improved as a passer in his sophomore season final 12 months, is one in every of a number of gamers who may gain advantage from an expanded level guard function.
“I believe we’ll let him play with the ball somewhat bit,” Bickerstaff mentioned of Duren. “For him to rebound the ball on protection and have the flexibility to get it up the ground, catch it on the elbow and we play cut up motion and he could make these reads. So I believe it is simply making an attempt to diversify the place it touches it, after which we’ll proceed to construct from there.
“I really feel like my capability to achieve success is one thing that not many individuals learn about,” Duren mentioned at media day Monday. “That will probably be one thing I can exhibit rather a lot this 12 months, particularly in Coach JB’s offense.”
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Tobias Harris is a strong passer and he mentioned he could make Cunningham’s life simpler by becoming a part of the playmaking mildew and discovering him for simple buckets, whether or not on open 3-pointers or cuts.
The Pistons will attempt to type out their level guard tasks for the primary time on Sunday, once they host the Milwaukee Bucks at dwelling to kick off their five-game preseason slate.
“He’s been nice,” Harris mentioned of Bickerstaff. I’ve heard a variety of good issues about him from different individuals, different gamers that he is coached. To be right here at this time to see that is nice. Offensively, guys have the liberty to have the ability to create and use their minds to consider how they wish to play collectively.
“Total, the man is admittedly making an attempt to empower the group with a variety of confidence. You’ll be able to simply see guys feeding off that power at this time. Good vibes within the fitness center, good power and nice effort.
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Observe him @omarisankofa.
This text was initially printed on Detroit Free Press: Pistons take committee method when Cade Cunningham sits
