Delon Wright needs to be playing over McBride

[ScienceOfLosing]

How long will Tom watch this before trying something else?

Tom doesn't try anything else. We play 7 guys and scraps minutes for anyone else for 82 games and then expect adjustments during the playoffs? Nothing ever changes. It's been 5 years and the entire league knows how to beat Thibs. Our record against .500 or better teams couldn't be more of an indictment against Thibs. He's had that problem his entire career.

Please make it stop.

[Wildcat]

Only tells you 2 stories:

- +/- isn't a one size fits all stat.
- The starting unit is absolutely struggling with a fake 5-in-out lineup.

Deuce has been an absolute dumpster fire. Shot has worse during the regular reason, continuing that in the 1st round, and essentially picking up where he left off in the Indiana series.

[Wildcat]

People shouldn't overindex production in the last 3 weeks of an NBA season. That's the Alexey Shved zone when almost nobody is trying.

Wright played well in his role, but that doesn't outweigh the offensive upside Deuce brings as well as the trust Deuce built.

With increased responsibilities, he has somehow shot worse this season than he did last season. He didn't work on his game in areas that are manner. He can't run an offense. He dribbles from left to right and right to left in the most inefficient way possible. Take IQ for example. When he received more playing time, his numbers increased. It's a poor indicator that with his increased "trust", he backslid into this version of himself.

[Wildcat]

Deuce's defense has not been as impactful as usual. That is my only problem with him. Guys like Hardaway, Beasley, and Shroeder should be zeroed out when Deuce is on the floor, but that is not the case. His shooting has always been streaky, but he's good for one those games where he makes like 4-5 threes. If we can't get solid defense from Deuce then the conversation about Wright is valid.

We're forgetting how awful is defense was in the Pacers series. Deuce's D hasn't felt the same since then. He'll have moments, of course, but overall, trash.

[Wildcat]

Deuce is struggling but he will bounce back. We will need him if we are going to make a run.

We've been waiting for him to bounce back since the Indiana series.

[Wildcat]

Shamet is really like that?

No. This stat is painfully misleading and I've been mostly critical of Shamet. He's only played 20 minutes this entire series and hasn't even put up a 3. Considering he's been pretty hot from 3 point range since mid-March, the problem here is -- to no one's surprise -- Thibs because it's basically a free for all out there on offense with no sets, no flow. Especially when the bench comes in.

[Wildcat]

It doesn't even have to be over Duece specifically. He needs minutes in the rotation period.

Over who? You'd be fighting with Shamet or Payne for Brunson's scraps.

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I would play Wright over Shamet tbh. Shamet has been awful, which honestly doesn't surprise me based on what I saw from him on the Nets awhile back.

I've been very critical of Shamet. But this +/- stat is highly misleading. 20 minutes spread across 4 games when he's thrown in with the starters -- who have a negative +/- for the series -- is just further cause for concern with Thibs' X's and O's. Shamet hasn't even shot a 3.

[Wildcat]

I would have short leashes with Deuce and Payne and if they don't have it in the 1st half of any game, then use Wright in the 2nd half of games to give guys like Hart and Bridges some rest. Thibs would never...

Payne has a very visible leash on him. Deuce -- because of this "trust" Thibs have for him -- has a much longer leash.

[Zero-in-box]

I agree Delon should be given a shot. He’s tall, defensive minded. He shot surprisingly well when he filled in for Brunson & Payne. He seemed competent running the offense. What exactly is the cost of putting him out there for five minutes? Like, are we suddenly going to be down 20 points? Because our starters have managed that on their own in the third quarters.

Every playoff in every sport, there are stars that up their game and then players that melt. And then there are bench players no one heard of who produce outsized results in a short series.

I’ve been a fan of Kolek all year- but I wouldn’t for a second think he could do anything but struggle horribly. The athleticism, youth and hunger of this Pistons team is next level.

FFS Thibs, give Delon a SHOT!

[KnixinSix]

I agree Delon should be given a shot. He’s tall, defensive minded. He shot surprisingly well when he filled in for Brunson & Payne. He seemed competent running the offense. What exactly is the cost of putting him out there for five minutes? Like, are we suddenly going to be down 20 points? Because our starters have managed that on their own in the third quarters.

Every playoff in every sport, there are stars that up their game and then players that melt. And then there are bench players no one heard of who produce outsized results in a short series.

I’ve been a fan of Kolek all year- but I wouldn’t for a second think he could do anything but struggle horribly. The athleticism, youth and hunger of this Pistons team is next level.

FFS Thibs, give Delon a SHOT!

TBH I doubt Thibs suddenly has a revelation and starts coaching better. Yet it would be about a 100% chance we lose this series without it.

Not playing Delon who proved he is a perfect bench fit for Thibs system is just criminal.

[HarthorneWingo]

Deuce is struggling but he will bounce back. We will need him if we are going to make a run.

How many games do you give him?

[HarthorneWingo]

I also wouldn’t mind seeing Precious get a few minutes if we need some energy.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Deuce is struggling but he will bounce back. We will need him if we are going to make a run.

How many games do you give him?

Tough to put a number on it. Let’s see how games 1 and 2 go. He’s shooting awful, but on the positive he actually has the 2nd highest net rating on the team at +4.9 and is +2.7. Gotta believe the shot will come around and regress to the mean. We really need him.

[The KnicksFix]

Wright should play. At this point he would provide better defense over deuce. When paired with KAT or Mikal as a bench player, we don’t need him to score that much

[Context]

I just hope Thibs sees his God in his dreams before the series starts-if not- none of this matters...The ball will be in The Don's court...

[cgmw]

Why have subs at all? Black kicks and 48 minutes from here in out!

[thebuzzardman]

Deuce has been dook

[Capn'O]

Wright played really well filling in for Brunson. I agree he deserves a shot.

[HarthorneWingo]

Deuce is struggling but he will bounce back. We will need him if we are going to make a run.

How many games do you give him?

Tough to put a number on it. Let’s see how games 1 and 2 go. He’s shooting awful, but on the positive he actually has the 2nd highest net rating on the team at +4.9 and is +2.7. Gotta believe the shot will come around and regress to the mean. We really need him.

His defense hasn’t been that great either.

[Deeeez Knicks]

How many games do you give him?

Tough to put a number on it. Let’s see how games 1 and 2 go. He’s shooting awful, but on the positive he actually has the 2nd highest net rating on the team at +4.9 and is +2.7. Gotta believe the shot will come around and regress to the mean. We really need him.

His defense hasn’t been that great either.

He's looked off all around for whatever reason.

To beat Boston we are going to need everyone at there best. Deuce at his best is better then Delon so gotta gamble on that