RealGM

It seems to be the consensus on here that JSmoove will play both SF and PF.

But what position will he play more of?

I think it would be fair to argue either way, and he could possibly end up splitting time (15-17 minutes at each) between the two.

How I see the F/C breakdown currently:

SF - Smith (10) / Middleton (20) / Singler or Datome (18)
PF - Monroe (15) / Smith (22) / Mitchell (11)
C - Drummond (30) / Monroe (18)

Piston Pete wrote:It seems to be the consensus on here that JSmoove will play both SF and PF.

But what position will he play more of?

I think it would be fair to argue either way, and he could possibly end up splitting time (15-17 minutes at each) between the two.

How I see the F/C breakdown currently:

SF - Smith (10) / Middleton (20) / Singler or Datome (18)
PF - Monroe (15) / Smith (22) / Mitchell (11)
C - Drummond (30) / Monroe (18)

I've been wondering about this, too.

Maybe we should look at this slightly differently. There are certain guys who are going to get serious minutes every game up front:

Smith, Monroe and Drummond.

That leaves room for two, maybe three guys getting rotation time behind the big three, assuming no injuries.

I don't know if the talent on our team up front separates itself all that much - so it might depend on matchups, and/or floor spacing. The guy who plays most like a coaches son is Singler. Middleton had a fascinating (tom me) set of offensive skills. Datome might win PT, because if he does than we don't need CV to stretch the floor at PF when Datome is in the game. Jerebko is one of the big time energy players in this league, and the coaches migh love how he crashes the boards and plays physical ball. Mitchell would give us astonishing shot blocking - a Smith - Mitchell - Drummond frontcourt would be unreal on the boards, protecting the paint and covering tons of space around the floor -- three unbelievable athletes up front. CV is a big time floor spreader who might play if our other 3 pt shooters we've added aren't getting it done - and also early on to enhance his expiring contract's value. then, when figuring out who is most likely to get PT this season, I imagine that Singler will get the first chance to. Depending on which guys win PT, that will likely govern which position Cheeks plays Smith at. And I'm not quite ready to give up on Kravstov.

I go back and forth and give myself headaches when figuring out the big men PT rotation after the big three.

More or less, I agree with your breakdown. When you look at Josh Smith's shooting splits, it becomes clear that he's much more effective when he can occupy the paint. He shot 30.3% last year from 10 feet & out. The year before, 33.6%. In 2010-11, 34.6%. Basically, the point is Josh Smith can't shoot.

Anyway, here's how I'd hope to see it:

SF - Smith (14) / Middleton (12) / Datome (11) / Singler (11)
PF - Moose (20) / Smith (20) / Mitchell (8)
C - Drummond (30) / Moose (12) / Kravtsov (6)

I figure Singler/Datome will share those minutes, so I just split it evenly between them. I doubt they actually see an even split in their playing time, but whoever earns that spot should get the time.

I don't think Kravtsov is a player the Pistons will keep long term, but I'd like to see him get a bit more playing time, because if he performs well and shows potential we may be able to capitalize on his trade value. I think he'd be a minor asset at best, but I still feel it's enough to warrant about six minutes a game.

EDIT: On second thought, I forgot about that bum Charlie Villanueva. I could see him getting significant playing time this year, because he's exactly the kind of player who will suddenly have a big season in a contract year.

I expect Smith/Monroe/Drummond will be the starting front line but Smith will see the majority of his minutes at the 4. I think we'll cut Krav as he'll be 26 before the season starts and he's likely out of the prospect range, makes more sense to keep Singler & Middleton around.

I imagine that the match-up will be the bigger determinate of where he plays. Against Miami, he will spend more time guarding whatever position LBJ is playing, with Detroit going smaller or bigger depending on Miami's front court. Things like that.