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When we made the trade for Morris, I was very much hoping that both Granger and Bullock would turn out to be sweet acquisitions.

Granger seems done, and I doubt the Pistons do anything other than wave bye-bye to him. That's a shame. Pre-injury, Granger was Paul George in this league - simply an outstanding player and a great competitor.

But Bullock is, simply, blowing my mind. I'm a big KCP guy, and I am coming to believe that Bullock could be as good as Kentavious. I'm seeing a potential here that we have a big 3 rotation for a lot of years with KCP, Stanley Johnson, Bullock (at the 2 and 3), and with Morris playing both the 3 and the 4, and Bullock joining KCP in the backcourt in need a defensive stop situations or when we play small ball. I'm seeing a long-term situation in the front court with Drummond and Bayles at C, Bayles being a PF against a couple matchups in the league, and with Ilyasova/Morris and a player to be acquired in the next season or two as our PF's.

Jody Meeks is a very good player in this league. Frankly, I see Bullock beating him out because of Bullock's ability to hit his shots at Meeks level and his ability to play high level D in this league at multiple positions. Jody and Tolliver are now trade bait this year - possibly for an upgrade at backup PG. (On the other hand, if Jennings makes it back at a high enough level, then there's simply no need to trade anyone until and unless we get a chance to add a big time upgrade at PF.)

I still think Dinwiddie can develop into a good pro - but he really ought to be at Grand Rapids playing a lot and developing.

Bullock is a 3 & D player. If he can knock his shots down, we may have something.

I'm not sure we can rely on Bullock as a starter, but he's made the most of his opportunity here.
That phoenix trade is definitely working out well so far. We have the best depth we've had in a long time.

His shot looks beautiful. He also seems to have the ability to make shots other than set shots. Certainly, he's a high level athlete and can run the floor with anyone.

Guys, I know this is premature, but I'm thinking Jimmy Butler when I watch Bullock play.

Jesus Christ guys, chill...Bullock had a few good preseason games, he will make the team and could be a part of the rotation. But lets stop with the next Jimmy Butler stuff until he actually played a little bit on a regular basis, ok? The Morris/Butler trade looks better and better considering the contracts and upside. Our wing rotation is 150% improved from last year that alone will make the Pistons better and Bullock certainly can be a big part of it.

Always been a fan of Bullets, was so hype when they threw him in the Morris trade. Watch how he ball this year.

If Bullock proves to be a quality rotation player in the regular season I don't think he will end up supplanting Meeks. More like playing alongside of him on the second unit. If Stanley also continues his play he will end up starting at small forward sooner rather than later. My guess is Morris starts too. Limiting Ilyasova's minutes somewhat is probably best for everybody to keep him healthy and effective. That would make the starters Jackson/Caldwell-Pope/Johnson/Morris/Drummond with the second unit being Jennings(or the healthiest PG)/Meeks/Bullock/Ilyasova/Baynes. Works for me.

I think we'll be better off with Stanley doing the Ginobli thing and coming in with the second unit. He and Jackson are both guys who we want the ball in their hands a lot. Dinwiddie and Blake could really use SJ as a secondary offense facilitator. Also, because of projected usage, I think we'll get more out of KCP, Morris and Ilyasova with the two man game of Jackson and Drummond, then if we sub SJ in for one of those first 3 guys to start the game. KCP hardly got up any shots last night. I'd rather use the start of the game to find a hot hand in one of those 3, and then bring in bench guys to keep that going and find another hot hand, which could be any of Meeks, Butler, SJ, Baynes... etc.

To me, this is about making sure (as best we can) that key guys on the team get going - that all our rotation players can thrive, as much as it's possible to accomplish that.

If I had to make a best 5 at each position right now off what I've seen these games and factoring in players histories and future potential, it would have to be Jackson at PG, Dre at C, Morris at PF, and then Johnson and Bullock as our two best perimeters at the 2 and 3 spots, interchangeably.

And at this point, unless Bullock goes to complete crap or KCP starts showing up consistently offensively, I'd be starting Bullock and Johnson on the perimeter and bringing KCP off the bench.

I just dont see what the advantage is to KCP in the starting lineup. Why should we play 4 on 5 on offense if we dont have to? He is a good defender, but his effect on defense is not enough to make up for providing nothing on the other end. If he were having a Ben Wallace effect on D, sure, but he isnt, and I dont see why Bullock or Johnson couldn't provide the same defense. And if they can with much greater contributions offensively, then there is absolutely no reason for KCP to be starting over them.

If he projected to be a star that just needed time to develop, ok, but most acknowledge he is a 3&D role player at best, and he is taking too long to develop into even that. So if Bullock is already there and is similar in age, with better measurables in terms of size and strength, and is displaying a better feel for the game and bbiq, then perhaps he is the better option for that role.

I can see both he and Johnson being a great tandem at those 2 spots, being able to play both positions interchangeably on both ends.

I realize it will sound like I am overreacting to a few preseason games, but the fact is KCP has been like this whole career so this isnt a fluke with him, and Bullock being a former 1st rd pick from a top program gives reason to believe its not a fluke with him either, that he just needed an opportunity and now he's capitalizing on it. This isnt some undrafted rookie from Pepperdine who got lucky a few games. There is legit potential with this kid. He was recruited to UNC by Roy Williams and drafted in the 1st rd by Doc Rivers for a reason.

Can't second that odd Todd3. I think KCP is a breakout player this year, if we use him right.

Yea I really like Bullock but I see no way he surpasses Pope in the starting line up because of preseason...that's just silly.
Rotation? Absolutely. I imagine it will shake out something like this:

Jackson/Healthy PG
Pope/Meeks
SJ/Bullock
Morris/Illy/Tolliver
Dre/Baynes

Once that 2nd unit gets a healthy Jennings back...watch out.

I agree that Pope will probably start the season as the starter, but he's going to have to get more consistent with his 3 ball to hold it. If Bullock can keep knocking them down and hold his own on D, Pope may find himself with a short leash.

But yeah, these Jimmy Butler comparisons are a bit premature... let's not fall into our usual hype/trash cycle with this one.

Brapman wrote:Can't second that odd Todd3. I think KCP is a breakout player this year, if we use him right.

Well that seems to be the talk every year but eventually he's going to have to actually do it, and until we see it consistently, it would be foolish to ignore other potential options and put all our stock in him.

He is getting better no doubt, but unless he does it consistently its all for naught. Scoring 25 one night and then doing nothing the next 4 games is not a formula for success.

I'm not sure what the right way to use him is either. He is basically just a spot up shooter, but not consistent enough at it, and has no handle so is often a liability when passed to if he's not just catching and shooting. So its like a conundrum to me. He also doesn't draw a lot of fouls either. I don't know, I just don't really understand his game offensively and see where he helps on that end. I like him defensively and all the hustle plays, but feel like we can get that from other players plus better offense. Just my opinion.

His handle has improved this off-season, so I'm not sure that critique of him is apt anymore.

We'll see. The thing to remember about our team though is it's a spread the wealth team. There'll be a lot of games where just about every rotation player on the roster has to deal with getting few shots up.

detroitKG wrote:Yea I really like Bullock but I see no way he surpasses Pope in the starting line up because of preseason...that's just silly.
Rotation? Absolutely. I imagine it will shake out something like this:

Jackson/Healthy PG
Pope/Meeks
SJ/Bullock
Morris/Illy/Tolliver
Dre/Baynes

Once that 2nd unit gets a healthy Jennings back...watch out.

To be clear I wasn't saying it had to be Bullock specifically as the one taking KCPs spot. Could be Johnson at the 2 with Bullock at the 3, either or. Its hard to argue they haven't been our best 2-3s, and also hard to argue KCP has earned his starting spot (not just talking this year but of his whole career). If he weren't a lotto pick and just some 2nd rd pick, we're probably not even having this discussion because he would be coming off the bench based on his performance up until now in his career.

There was a reason why Stan was interested in drafting Booker and then said after that Johnson could end up starting at SG. Part was to motivate Pope to be sure, but also in part because Stan has legitimately considered it, imo. KCP supposedly got the message and looked great in camp, but its not really translating to the games. So eventually he has to show up or I think Stan is going to go with the next man up, which right now would be Johnson or Bullock.

Todd3 wrote:

detroitKG wrote:Yea I really like Bullock but I see no way he surpasses Pope in the starting line up because of preseason...that's just silly.
Rotation? Absolutely. I imagine it will shake out something like this:

Jackson/Healthy PG
Pope/Meeks
SJ/Bullock
Morris/Illy/Tolliver
Dre/Baynes

Once that 2nd unit gets a healthy Jennings back...watch out.

To be clear I wasn't saying it had to be Bullock specifically as the one taking KCPs spot. Could be Johnson at the 2 with Bullock at the 3, either or. Its hard to argue they haven't been our best 2-3s, and also hard to argue KCP has earned his starting spot (not just talking this year but of his whole career). If he weren't a lotto pick and just some 2nd rd pick, we're probably not even having this discussion because he would be coming off the bench based on his performance up until now in his career.

There was a reason why Stan was interested in drafting Booker and then said after that Johnson could end up starting at SG. Part was to motivate Pope to be sure, but also in part because Stan has legitimately considered it, imo. KCP supposedly got the message and looked great in camp, but its not really translating to the games. So eventually he has to show up or I think Stan is going to go with the next man up, which right now would be Johnson or Bullock.

I disagree completely...if this were reg season and we were a quarter of the way through and KCP was doing nothing then sure. He looked real good early on in the pre season and has been quiet since. I think your hitting the panic button in this situation and there's no need to with the quality of wing talent we now have.

As far as Johnson at the 2 I don't think he has the quickness to keep up with some of the quicker 2's in the league. Just my opinion.

Brapman wrote:His handle has improved this off-season, so I'm not sure that critique of him is apt anymore.

We'll see. The thing to remember about our team though is it's a spread the wealth team. There'll be a lot of games where just about every rotation player on the roster has to deal with getting few shots up.

He said he improved his handle this offseason. It looks kinda the same to me though. Maybe needs more time to show it, idk.

I agree with the last part though. I realize he isnt going to get a lot of shots every night. Its not really his lack of scoring, as much as its that if we had a better all around player at that spot it would make it that much easier to play that spread the wealth game. As the ball could just move freely with everyone able to handle it. I feel like at times he kind of stops that flow because he doesnt know what to do when the ball comes to him.

Another question...what exactly has SJ done in his career to warrant starting over Pope? I'll tell you...nothing. Dude has yet to play a meaningful reg season game. Pope has had his consistency problems on offense, but his defense and hustle are always there. Not to mention he has the reg season track record to back it up. We're just going off of possibilities for Johnson right now. Lets calm down here people.

Pope still has a league average respected 3 ball (36%) that warrants him some attention on the offense. I agree if he produced nothing like Tony Allen who the Warriors put Bogut of all people on him since he's that bad offensively, but he's not. He provides good defense and has a respectable jumper since no one is going to swing the ball toward Pope easily, he looks like he's shut out on offense. I think for preason, they wanted to run more plays for the bench unit to see what they have rather than the starters producing as much since they know what they have more or less. Stan I believe said Pope had one of the best camps he's seen. We'll see.

If Pope can be our Shumpert of 3 years ago on the Knicks, then it's good enough imo. Considering the terrible draft.

I agree bullock has been stellar, but I can't believe people are throwing KCP out with the bathwater over a few preseason games. No wonder this board is perpetually disappointed. Some people just can't temper their expectations.