Positional Battles: SG

[ElectricMayhem]

The Detroit Pistons have a number of potential positional battles this year. The main question I want to focus on is: Who do you think should be starting for the Detroit Pistons by midseason?

In this thread, we will be discussing Shooting Guards. Assuming our team is set, which SG would you like to see in the starting role by midseason?


Name: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope If you're lazy: KCP
Apparently gets angry about having his picture taken in front of grey backdrops
Summer League Dynamo


Name: Jodie Meeks
Shot over 46% from 3 last year!!!
Got Paid.

*Forwards' positional battles to come later.

[Cowology]

As much as I'd like to see KCP start I think Jennings/Meeks and Augistine/KCP provide better offensive balance. Just nervous about the perimeter D. Maybe does make more sense to have Meeks provide offensive spark off the bench anyway.

[TurboTitan]

The better defender should always start especially at the 2 so I would choose KCP.

[theBigLip]

I'm optimistic on Meeks. I think he will be 20ppg scorer this year, and there will be times when we see both Meeks and KCP on the floor at the same time.

[engelbert321]

Tough call, but I'd go with Meeks for now

[wallace72]

-KCP starts for his defensive toughness
-Meeks of the bench, offensive injection.

[Kilo]

Meeks for his shooting and thus floor spacing - it's all about Dre remember. Caldwell-Pope will make big strides this year though and could see time at small forward later in the season to get him earned playing time.

[MotownMadness]

I think it will be Meeks, He's our best 3 point shooter and that's something we desperately needed in the lineup. Plus he's got more experience and entering his prime which will probably win over Stan.

[DETermination]

I think KCP has a breakout season and starts, plus Jodie Meeks could be a pretty good 6th man off the bench. Regardless who it is we will have a good player off the bench at shooting guard.

[dVs33]

I think Meeks starts at first, but KCP takes over midseason.
I hope KCP's summer league confidence carries over into the season, because he looked great.

[epheisey]

It should be KCP. He's a far better player defensively, and in theory he has a better all around offensive game. Meeks should be coming off the bench to be the go to scorer with the second unit.

Meeks likely had a career year last year with the Lakers. So I'd be happily surprised to see him close to that production again. Especially with another player at his position who will surely eat into his minutes even if Meeks does earn the start.


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[sc8581]

It should be KCP. He's a far better player defensively, and in theory he has a better all around offensive game. Meeks should be coming off the bench to be the go to scorer with the second unit.

Meeks likely had a career year last year with the Lakers. So I'd be happily surprised to see him close to that production again. Especially with another player at his position who will surely eat into his minutes even if Meeks does earn the start.


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I don't know that their skillsets are all that different offensively though Meeks is clearly more proven. Didn't he drop 50+ a few years back? Anyway, I think KCP should start without a doubt, lots of upside if he's brought along properly on both ends. Somebody mentioned they would start Meeks for his proven shooting next to Jennings and I agree if BJ is the starting PG but I want DJ to be and I think KCP fits better next to him.

[ElectricMayhem]

I don't know that their skillsets are all that different offensively though Meeks is clearly more proven. Didn't he drop 50+ a few years back?

He had 54 in a college game against Tennessee. That's more than many college teams score in a game.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY2dfOhZ3rM[/youtube]
He also scored 42 last year against the Thunder.

[sc8581]

I don't know that their skillsets are all that different offensively though Meeks is clearly more proven. Didn't he drop 50+ a few years back?

He had 54 in a college game against Tennessee. That's more than many college teams score in a game.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY2dfOhZ3rM[/youtube]
He also scored 42 last year against the Thunder.

Nice. Didn't he do it when he was with Philly too though?

[epheisey]

I don't know that their skillsets are all that different offensively though Meeks is clearly more proven. Didn't he drop 50+ a few years back?

He had 54 in a college game against Tennessee. That's more than many college teams score in a game.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY2dfOhZ3rM[/youtube]
He also scored 42 last year against the Thunder.

Nice. Didn't he do it when he was with Philly too though?

I read an article about his 42 point game last season that said it was a career-high and good old Wikipedia agrees.


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[tmorgan]

Meeks can shoot, there's no doubt about it. The question that I can't answer, since I've only seen him play a few times (as a reserve), is how is the rest of his game? I've heard it's fairly weak but high on effort, meaning he'll give his all but isn't a particularly good defender, passer, or rebounder.

If that's the case, unless Monroe stays on the QO and comes off the bench, I think KCP needs to start so that Meeks can come in firing off the bench as our 6th man. You know he won't object to the role (he gots payd!), and KCP needs to become the player he can be by guarding the top 2's in the league on a consistent basis.

We'd know KCP is pleasing SVG and improving if he gets 30+ minutes a game this year. Since SF is our weakest position, I'd like to see KCP start at the 2 and then shift over to the 3 mid-quarter, bringing in Meeks for Singler or whatever other mediocre player we're starting at small forward. Give him a few more minutes of burn with a shooting lineup (Drummond and Jennings come out, roll with Augustin/Meeks/KCP/Smith/Monroe for a few minutes).

Just a thought. If Monroe stays on the QO and thus isn't part of the future, I'd like to see:

Jennings 28/Augustin 20 (assuming Dinwiddie doesn't play this year and Bynum is gone or DNP-CD'd)
KCP 24/Meeks 24
Singler 23/Butler 15/KCP 10 (Datome or Martin can get in here by playing well)
Smith 34/Monroe 14 (Jerebko can get in here when Smith is a bonehead or if Monroe sulks)
Drummond 34/Monroe 14

That's nine guys playing regular minutes, with the potential for guys such as Jerebko, Dinwiddie, Datome, and Martin to earn minutes in practice. I assume Mitchell's getting cut and I see no good reason to play Bynum or Gray unless there's foul trouble.

[Notanoob]

I want KCP starting, at least by mid season. He can split minutes with Meeks evenly of his shot isn't falling, but once he finds his stroke he should getting full time starters minutes, and maybe even see some time at SF to make rom for Meeks.

[Laimbeer]

Pretty sure Meeks is the starter and I like KCP off the bench as an energy guy. It will take some pressure off him as well.

[Redeemed]

This is going to be a WAR! KCP has a big chip on his shoulder and is ready to hunt bear. Meeks has benefitted greatly from battling Kobe Bryant in practice, not to mention his days of playing under Doug Collins who instigates intense battles in practice.

It's hard to determine who give the edge to in this battle. Meeks has his shot calibrated to the NBA game and has been J'in cats for a little while now. He's said to be a catch and shoot specialist, but he seemed to expand his game a bit and present as a scorer last season. Was that a mirage? Has his game really matured and evolved with opportunties last season? I think it has, but I also think he is WAYS behind KCP when it comes to defense.

KCP can be a lockdown all NBA defender. He just needs to find his stroke. If KCP comes in on an even high level than where he was with his offensive game in summer league, KCP wins the battle. If KCP's shot is still not falling, he'll be a part of the second line-up.

Hard to say...I'm calling this even, but I voted for KCP because I think he will take the starting position by the end of the season.

[supermelo]

Battle radar chart
http://www.fansboard.com/playerAbility? ... dwell-Pope