As the Pistons continue to struggle there’s one thing that has become apparently clear: that the changes to the starting line-up have not made much of a difference. It’s still the same problems, too many turnovers, too much one on one.
When the Pistons built their double digit halftime lead Monday night in Chicago against the Bulls, Piston newcomer Tracy McGrady was running the point guard position and the offense had a nice flow that the Bulls struggled to defend. Before most of the players could get their warm ups off, just minutes into the third quarter the Pistons had surrendered most if not all of that halftime lead.
Third year guard Rodney Stuckey was back at the point guard position and the offense struggled terribly, no flow, no ball movement, too many turnovers. That’s when it hit me.
Miami Heat superstar Dwayne Wade has become a much more effective player now that he has been relieved of the point guard duties (Carlos Arroyo) & now is free to do what he does best, run the wings & attack the basket. The exact same case can be made for Rodney Stuckey who is very good at attacking the basket but often does it when the opponent’s defense is set because he has to wait for the rebound and bring the ball up the court.
Another example is Portland Trailblazers all-star Brandon Roy who has been in attack mode ever since the point guard duties were handed to veteran Andre Miller. All three, Wade, Roy and Stuckey, are pretty much the exact same size and very close in abilities, but only one still runs the starting point spot, Stuckey.
It’s up to the Pistons’ coaching staff to put the players in the best position to excel and be most effective on the floor and until they see that for upcoming free agent Rodney Stuckey the point guard position is not his natural spot, they will continue to struggle and lose a very talented shooting guard when the season ends.
