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Our Big Three

Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2013 8:58 pm
by rock digger
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/996 ... -questions

3. The Pistons' big lineup stinks … at everything?

Um, so, opponents have outscored the Pistons by 22 points in the 135 minutes that Josh Smith, Andre Drummond, and Greg Monroe have been on the floor together. Everyone expected scoring to be a chore as the Pistons sorted out their spacing issues, and Detroit indeed has shot fewer 3s and turned the ball over at a ghastly rate when all three play together — indicative of all the passing through small creases required for a single good shot.

But the Pistons have given up 114.4 points per 100 possessions while playing big, so far beyond the second-worst team you can barely see it, and that just shouldn't be with all the sheer size, shot-blocking, and rebounding here. But it be. Smith will have a hard time keeping up with some small forwards, Drummond's footwork on the pick-and-roll is unsteady, and Monroe remains below average.

Let's give them time to jell with Brandon Jennings, and for Maurice Cheeks to figure out the optimal rotation. He gets points for realizing quickly that Rodney Stuckey, hot start notwithstanding, should not be on the court with the three big guys, but there's lots more to discover here.


Naturally due to the young season that's a small sample size, but those defensive numbers are straight up horrible. A far cry from the defensive juggernauts the big 3 were supposed to be. Not to mention the rather lacking offensive game. Hopefully we can turn it around.