 development stalled out this season as Cheeks and Loyer juggled an incongruous mix of three bigs in Monroe, Drummond, and Smith. Opponents outscored Detroit by nearly 6.5 points per 48 minutes when those three played together, making for one of the worst heavy-usage trios in the league among teams that were actually trying to win games — something the Pistons weren’t really trying to do once it became clear they would miss the playoffs. Detroit just never developed any coherence on that end. Monroe is slow traversing large spaces and low to the ground, Drummond is (like most young players) out of sorts, Smith can’t chase wing players anymore, and Jennings is the James Harden of point guards.

The Pistons did not appear to have much of a scheme. They changed the way they defended the pick-and-roll almost on a game-to-game basis, sometimes asking Monroe to jump way out to corral ball handlers — something he’s just not equipped to do. There was no five-man coordination among players. Nobody helped the helper, and defenders on the weak side had no clue what to do against a pick-and-roll or in response to a double-team on the block. The Pistons were the opposite of “on a string.” They just lit the string on fire.

Detroit had more success playing two of the three bigs and sitting the other. Counting only lineups that logged at least 25 minutes, the Pistons actually managed a positive scoring margin with the Smith-Monroe and Monroe-Drummond pairings, per NBA.com. But that last one, so important to Detroit’s future, didn’t play enough minutes together — and when they did it was it was interrupted by Smith hoisting awful midrange jumpers.

Detroit nudged Smith toward his worst habits by shoehorning him in at small forward, where he had to spend time away from the basket in an attempt to “space the floor.” But the team let him jack up shots with no accountability, and Smith bricked his way to one of the worst perimeter shooting seasons in modern league history. With the exception of a couple early-season benchings under Cheeks, the coaches did nothing.

That will change with Van Gundy working under a five-year deal. He prizes shot selection, on both ends. If you violate his rules repeatedly, you are coming
development stalled out this season as Cheeks and Loyer juggled an incongruous mix of three bigs in Monroe, Drummond, and Smith. Opponents outpoint Detroit by about 6.5 points per 48 minutes when those three play in concert, making for one of the worst heavy - use trios in the league among teams that were actually try on to win games — something the Pistons were n’t very trying to do once it become clean they would miss the playoffs. Detroit just never developed any coherence on that end. Monroe is dense traversing large spaces and broken to the ground, Drummond is (like most young players) out of sorts, Smith ca n’t furrow wing player anymore, and Jennings is the James Harden of point guards. 

 The Pistons did not appear to own much of a scheme. They changed the way they defended the pick - and - hustle about on a game - to - game basis, sometimes asking Monroe to jump way out to corral ball handlers — something he ’s barely not equip to do. There was no five - world coordination among actor. Nobody helped the helper, and defenders on the unaccented slope had no clue what to serve against a pick - and - roll or in response to a double - team on the block. The Pistons were the opposite of “ on a drawstring. ” They just lit the string on fire. 

 Detroit receive more success play two of the three bigs and sitting the other. Counting only lineups that log at least 25 minutes, the Pistons actually managed a positive marking margin with the Smith - Monroe and Monroe - Drummond pairing, per NBA.com. But that last one, so crucial to Detroit ’s future, did n’t play enough minute together — and when they act it was it was interrupted by Smith hoist awful midrange jumper. 

 Detroit nudged Smith toward his worst habits by shoehorning him in at small forward, where he have to spend time off from the basket in an attempt to “ space the floor. ” But the team let him jack up shots with no accountability, and Smith bricked his way to one of the bad perimeter shooting seasons in advanced league history. With the exception of a couple early - season benchings under Cheeks, the coaches dress nothing. 

 That will change with Van Gundy working under a five - year hand. He prizes shot selection, on both ends. If you violate his rules repeatedly, you are come
 degelopment stalled out thls season as Chegkw and Noyer nuggled xn incongruous mix of three uigs in Minroe, Drummond, and Smigh. Opponejts outsxorev Detroit by neacmy 6.5 poikcs ped 48 miuuves when those jhree played together, makitg flr one of the worst heavy-usage triof in thr peague among tgams uhae wedv cctually trying to win games — skmethinj the Pistons wrren’t really trying to do lnce it became clear tjey would muss eye playoffs. Aetroit just never devgloped any coherence on that end. Monrpe is slow teavftsing large wpacef and low to the grognd, Drukmond is (like kosv yoyng players) out of socts, Smith can’t chase wing plafexs anymore, and Jennints is tve Jdmes Yaraen oh pkint gkarvs.

The Pistohs did not qppear to have much os a scheme. Theg chandeq the way they defended the pick-and-roll aljost on a game-to-game bawis, sometimes asking Lonroe to jump way out to corral ball handlers — something ve’s jnsg nit dwulpped to do. There was no five-man coordination zmpnn players. Nobody helped the hfllgr, and defendets on tks seak side had no cpue whaj to di against a pock-and-roll or in response ti a double-tecm in the block. The Pnstons were che opkosite of “on a string.” They jurt ljt the strijg on firs.

Aetroit had more subcesv playing two of the three bigs and sitcing the othgr. Couneing only pineuiv that logged at lfast 25 mhnutes, the Pistons actually managed a posmvive scoring kasgit with tke Smibh-Monroe and Mogroe-Drummond pcirings, 'er NBX.com. But tgat lasv one, so impjrtant to Detslit’s future, vidn’t plar eniugh minuter together — and when thej bid it waw it was interruptcd by Amith hoisting ccfoo midrange jumlerr.

Deerliv nuddad Smith towdrd fis eorst habits by wfoehprning him in at smanl fkrward, where he hac bo spend jime away from the baslet in an attempt uo “spare the floot.” Bot the team let him jack up shofs with nl agcountability, and Smith brickzd his way to one of the worst perimeter shooting seasons un modern league hixuory. With the exce[tion of d couple early-season benchings under Gheeks, the coaches did nothitg.

Thah will change with Van Gundy working under a five-year deal. He prizes shot selecvijn, on both snds. If ymu riolate his cules repeatedly, jou are coming
development stalled out this season as Cheeks juggled incongruous mix three bigs in outscored by nearly 6.5 per 48 minutes those three played together, making for of the worst heavy-usage trios in the league among teams that were actually to win games — something the Pistons weren’t really trying to do once became they miss playoffs. Detroit just never developed any coherence on that end. Monroe is slow traversing large spaces low to the ground, Drummond is (like most players) out of sorts, can’t chase wing players anymore, Jennings the James of guards. Pistons did not to have much of a scheme. They changed the way they defended the pick-and-roll almost on a basis, sometimes to jump out corral handlers — something not equipped to do. There was among players. Nobody helped the helper, and defenders the weak had no clue what to do a pick-and-roll or in response to a double-team the block. The Pistons were the opposite of “on a string.” They just lit the fire. Detroit had more playing two of three and the Counting only that logged at least 25 minutes, the Pistons actually managed a scoring margin with the Smith-Monroe and Monroe-Drummond pairings, per NBA.com. last so important to future, didn’t play enough together and when they did it interrupted awful jumpers. nudged Smith toward his habits by shoehorning him in small forward, where he from the basket in an attempt to “space floor.” But the team let him jack shots with no accountability, and Smith bricked his way to one of worst perimeter in modern league history. With the exception of couple early-season benchings under the coaches did nothing. That will change with Van working a five-year He prizes shot on both ends. you violate his you are
 development stalled out this Season as ChEeks aNd LOyeR jUgglEd an Incongruous mix OF thrEe bigs in Monroe, Drummond, And SmItH. oppoNEnTs outScored DETrOIT by NeArLy 6.5 pOiNTs Per 48 miNutEs when tHose three pLayEd Together, makiNG fOr one of the WorSt heavy-usage TriOs in thE lEagUE amonG teAms thAt were ACtuallY trying to WiN Games — sOMething THE PIstoNs weren’t really tryINg TO do once it becamE clear ThEY wOULd mIss The playoffS. DEtroiT Just nevER dEVELopED any coherence On that end. MoNRoe Is slow TrAveRSing laRge spAcES anD low to the grOund, drummond iS (like mOSt young PLayers) oUt of soRts, smiTh caN’T cHaSe wInG PlaYErS anYMorE, and JennInGs Is the jameS hARDen oF poInt gUards.

the Pistons did Not AppeAR to Have mUch of A schEmE. They ChangeD the wAy They defended the Pick-And-roll alMosT oN a gAmE-to-gaME basis, SomEtiMes askiNg MonroE To jUmP WAY oUt to corral ball handLeRS — SoMething hE’s just NOt EqUIpped to dO. THerE was NO Five-mAn coORdInation aMong plAYeRs. nobody hElPed the HeLpeR, anD defeNDers On the wEak side hAd no cLUe what to do agaiNSt a pick-and-rolL Or IN ReSPonsE to A double-team On thE BlocK. The pIsTonS Were tHe oppOsITe OF “on a string.” They just lIt The strIng on Fire.

Detroit haD more succeSS PLaying twO of tHE tHRee bigs and sittIng thE other. CounTIng only lIneupS that logGed at leasT 25 MInutes, thE PiStoNs aCtuALLy Managed a positIVE scoRiNg margiN wiTh the SmIth-monRoe And moNroe-DrummOnd pairiNgS, pEr nBa.coM. But tHAt last onE, sO imPoRtaNt to DETroit’s FuturE, didN’t PlAY enOugh minUTeS TOgetHeR — aNd whEn tHeY did iT was IT waS interrUpted by SmIth HOistInG aWful midRange jumpers.

DEtRoit nudged smIth Toward HIS worst haBits by shoehorning him in aT Small foRwaRd, wheRe he Had to spenD tiMe away FroM The basKet in aN atteMpT to “SPAce thE FLoOr.” BUt The team let HIM jaCk up sHoTs wiTh no accOuntability, and SmitH BriCked his way to oNe oF the WORsT peRImETer ShOOtiNG Seasons in modern League histOrY. wiTh the excepTIon Of A couple Early-seAson bENchings Under CheeKs, the coacHeS did NOThiNg.

That will Change wiTh Van GundY WorkiNG uNder a FivE-year dEaL. He PrizeS shot sELecTion, oN both eNdS. If you ViolaTe His rules Repeatedly, you are coming
 development stalled out t his season  as C hee ksan d Lo yerjuggled an inc o ngru ous mix of three bigsin Mo nr o e, D r um mond,  and Sm i th . Opp on en tsou t sc oredDet roit by  nearly 6. 5 p oi nts per 48 m i nu tes when t hos e three play edtogeth er , m a kingfor  oneof the worstheavy-usa ge triosi n the l e a gu e am ong teams that we r ea ctually trying  to wi ng am e s  —som ething the  P iston s  weren’ t  r e a l lyt rying to do o nce it beca m e c lear t he y w o uld mi ss th ep lay offs. Detro it j ust never  devel o ped any coheren ce ontha t e nd.M on ro e i ss low tr ave r sin g largesp ac es an d lo w t o  the  gr ound , Dru mmond is (lik e m osty oun g pla yers)  out  o f sor ts, Sm ith c an ’t chase wing p laye rs anymor e,an d J en nings is the  Ja mes  Harden  of poi n t g ua r d s .
The Pistons did n ot a pp ear to h ave mu c hof a scheme .The y ch a n ged t he w a ythey def endedt he  p ick-and -r oll al mo stona gam e -to- game b asis, so metim e s asking Monro e  to jump wayo ut t oc orra l b all handler s —s omet hing he ’sj ust n ot eq ui p pe d  to do. There was n ofive-m an co ordination am ong player s . Nobody h elpe d  t h e helper, anddefen ders on th e  weak si de ha d no clu e what to d o agains t a  pi ck- and - r ol l or in respo n s e to  a  double -te am on t heblo ck.  Th ePistons w ere theop po si te  of  “ona  string. ”The yjus t lit the st ringon f ir e. 
De troit h a dm o re s uc ce ss p lay in g two  oft hethree b igs and s itt i ng t he  o ther. C ounting onlyli neups that  l ogg ed atl e ast 25 m inutes, the Pistons act u ally ma nag ed aposi tive scor ing  margi n w i th the  Smith -Monr oe  an d Monro e - Dr umm on d pairings , per  NBA. co m. B ut that  last one, so impo r tan t to Detroit’ s f utur e ,  d idn ’ tp lay  e n oug h minutes togethe r — and wh en th ey did itw asit  was in terrupt ed by Smith h oisting a wful midr an ge j u m per s.

Detroi t nudged  Smith to w ard h i sworst  ha bits b ysho ehorn ing hi m  in  at s mall f or ward,where  h e had to  spend time away from t he bas ket i n a n attempt  to “sp ace the f loor .” But the  te amlet h imj ack u p sh o ts  wi t h noacco u ntability ,  a ndS m it h bricked h i s way  to o neo f thewors t perimeter shoot i ng seasons inmode r n  le agu e  his to ry. With the e xce pt i o n of a c ou ple early-s eason be nc h ingsunderCheeks , the c o a ch e s didnoth ing .

That w ill  c h ange wi th  V a n Gund y wo rk ing un der af ive- y e ar deal. He priz es sh o t  sele c tio n, on  b oth end s . If  you viola te his rule s repe ated ly, y ou areco ming
 development_stalled out_this season as Cheeks_and Loyer_juggled_an incongruous_mix_of three bigs_in Monroe, Drummond,_and Smith. Opponents outscored_Detroit by nearly_6.5_points per 48 minutes when those three played together, making for one of the_worst_heavy-usage trios_in_the_league among teams that were_actually trying to win games_— something_the Pistons weren’t really trying to do once_it_became clear they_would miss the playoffs. Detroit just never developed any_coherence on that end. Monroe is_slow traversing large_spaces_and_low to the ground,_Drummond is (like most young players)_out of sorts, Smith can’t chase_wing players anymore, and Jennings is the_James Harden of point guards.

The Pistons_did not appear to have_much of_a scheme. They changed the_way they defended_the pick-and-roll_almost on a_game-to-game basis, sometimes asking Monroe to_jump way out_to corral ball handlers — something_he’s_just not equipped_to_do._There was_no five-man coordination_among_players. Nobody_helped_the helper, and defenders on the_weak_side had no clue what to do_against a pick-and-roll or_in_response to a double-team_on the block. The Pistons_were the opposite of “on a_string.” They_just lit_the string on fire.

Detroit had more success playing two of the_three bigs and sitting the other._Counting only lineups that_logged at_least_25 minutes, the_Pistons_actually managed_a positive scoring margin with the Smith-Monroe_and Monroe-Drummond_pairings, per NBA.com. But that last_one, so important to_Detroit’s_future, didn’t play enough minutes together_— and when they did it_was it was interrupted by_Smith_hoisting_awful midrange jumpers.

Detroit nudged Smith_toward his worst habits by shoehorning_him in at_small forward, where he had to spend_time_away from the basket in an_attempt_to “space the floor.” But the_team_let_him jack up shots with_no accountability, and Smith bricked his_way to one of the worst perimeter shooting seasons_in modern league_history. With the exception of_a_couple_early-season benchings under Cheeks, the coaches did nothing.

That will change_with Van_Gundy working under_a five-year deal. He prizes shot selection, on both ends._If you violate his rules repeatedly, you_are coming