SVG won't hesitate to play Baynes and Drummond together

[Laimbeer]

Van Gundy said he won't hesitate to play Baynes and Drummond together when facing the beefier front lines of the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies.

"One of the things you need to address with your roster is to be able to play as many different kinds of lineups as you can possibly play," Van Gundy said Sunday when he introduced Baynes at the practice facility. "We think there are going to be chances where we play Aron and Andre together because of Aron's ability to step away from the basket and his ability to put the ball on floor.

"Not only can he add something different at the center position, we think we can play the two of them together at times against teams like Memphis that are going to play big, so that type of versatility we were looking for in the off-season."

Greg Monroe was the primary backup at center last season, but he plays near the basket as well. He is a very different player from Drummond, but defenses allowed him to shoot midrange jumpers. He shot 33% last season on catch-and-shoot midrange jumpers.

Baynes, 28, shot 46.3% on such shots.

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/07/13/aron-baynes-detroit-pistons/30068129/

[313 Professor]

Oh yea... I like it.

I want to see the Jennings, Dinwiddie, Jackson, Stanley, Drummond lineup too. Why not? Starting 2's and 3's not nothing but 3pt shooters now. They can't dribble, post up or score inside. As long as you have a little rim protection they'll do the same thing they always do... low % shot around the hoop OR forced into long jumpers

[tmorgan]

I think your experimental lineup is a bit much, 313. What is Reggie going to provide playing the 3? Too small, not a good defender, not a good jumper. The man is a very good passer and penetrator, and you're making him useless at the 3.

I'm on board for Jackson/Jennings/Johnson/Ilyasova/Drummond, though, especially if we're going to have Steve Blake active. I do want to see RJ and BJ play together, but I was worried about the 3rd PG factor because Dinwiddie looks lost. Blake isn't great, or even good, but he's solid, and he could give 12 minutes without the offense dying.

[whitehops]

ironically I think baynes fits beside Drummond better than moose did.

[tmorgan]

Same problem that the PGs had, though. If you run Baynes at the 4, you need Anthony ready to provide important minutes at center. Unlike the PG position (before Blake), I think Joel Anthony can probably do that... for very short stretches.

It could work. Baynes is really slow for a 4, though, and he definitely can't guard anyone on the perimeter. That part is exactly like Moose. The original quote was about Chicago and Memphis... I'm not sure Baynes can guard Mirotic, Gasol, or Randolph.

[zeebneeb]

ironically I think baynes fits beside Drummond better than moose did.

Well, Baynes can actually shoot the damn ball, all the way out to 18 feet. Moose couldn't shoot barley at all outside of 5.

ANY player that can hit a jumper consistantly will fit next to drummond. That's the reason hearing WCS could shoot excited me so much. He's already a great defender, and if he can really shoot? Him and drummond would have terrorized the league for a decade.

[hoophabit]

I think the intent of the comments about playing them together would be in situations where the other team goes big. I expect SVG will have some idea of what is or isn't a good matchup.

[detroitKG]

I think the intent of the comments about playing them together would be in situations where the other team goes big. I expect SVG will have some idea of what is or isn't a good matchup.

That's exactly what he was saying...I feel like people are misunderstanding context in here.

[whitehops]

I think the intent of the comments about playing them together would be in situations where the other team goes big. I expect SVG will have some idea of what is or isn't a good matchup.

That's exactly what he was saying...I feel like people are misunderstanding context in here.

I think most people understand that context.

I was simply saying that Baynes is a better fit next to Drummond than Monroe was, so I'm not surprised at all that SVG wouldn't hesitate to play the two together when needed.

[detroitKG]

I think the intent of the comments about playing them together would be in situations where the other team goes big. I expect SVG will have some idea of what is or isn't a good matchup.

That's exactly what he was saying...I feel like people are misunderstanding context in here.

I think most people understand that context.

I was simply saying that Baynes is a better fit next to Drummond than Monroe was, so I'm not surprised at all that SVG wouldn't hesitate to play the two together when needed.

While I have trust in you whitehops, with some of the **** I've read around these parts lately, I wouldn't be so sure anymore lol

[hoophabit]

I think the intent of the comments about playing them together would be in situations where the other team goes big. I expect SVG will have some idea of what is or isn't a good matchup.

That's exactly what he was saying...I feel like people are misunderstanding context in here.

I think most people understand that context.

I was simply saying that Baynes is a better fit next to Drummond than Monroe was, so I'm not surprised at all that SVG wouldn't hesitate to play the two together when needed.

I don't know how Baynes could be any more challenged guarding PFs than Monroe. The fact that he can actually shoot away from the basket bodes well. Pretty sure he won't be the first choice against stretch 4s. Yeah, it's surely more accurate to say a few people are misunderstanding context, but most of us knew what detroitKG meant.

I'm inclined to agree with you about the fit with Drummond. Monroe is the better center, but his lack of perimeter shooting limited his versatility. (There's that word again.)

[Todd3]

ironically I think baynes fits beside Drummond better than moose did.

Way better. Thats why we ended up better off spending that money on two bigs instead of all on Monroe, who didnt fit at either spot. Now we got a C in Baynes who can play both and fit both, and a PF who fits better, all for the same price Monroe would have cost. Combined they will match or exceed his offensive production and rebounding, but also play defense too.

Much better use of that money. Drummond and Baynes together is going to be tough to deal with physically.

[Todd3]

That's exactly what he was saying...I feel like people are misunderstanding context in here.

I think most people understand that context.

I was simply saying that Baynes is a better fit next to Drummond than Monroe was, so I'm not surprised at all that SVG wouldn't hesitate to play the two together when needed.

I don't know how Baynes could be any more challenged guarding PFs than Monroe. The fact that he can actually shoot away from the basket bodes well. Pretty sure he won't be the first choice against stretch 4s. Yeah, it's surely more accurate to say a few people are misunderstanding context, but most of us knew what detroitKG meant.

I'm inclined to agree with you about the fit with Drummond. Monroe is the better center, but his lack of perimeter shooting limited his versatility. (There's that word again.)

With Baynes ability to defend the paint by himself, he and Drummond can switch positions defensively if there is a more athletic four man and just put Drummond on him. Because we would still have Baynes in the paint to cover for him

We couldnt do that with Monroe because Drummond had to stay there to defend the paint with Monroe unable to.

Baynes is a lot more athletic laterally too though, so he should be able to guard some fours as well

[hoophabit]

I am anxious to see if the reports of Drummond being better conditioned and leaner prove out. No one doubts his athletic gifts. Imagine him even more mobile, enduring, and quick.

Let's hope.

[joedumars1]

I am anxious to see if the reports of Drummond being better conditioned and leaner prove out. No one doubts his athletic gifts. Imagine him even more mobile, enduring, and quick.

Let's hope.

Is this possible?

[dVs33]

I am anxious to see if the reports of Drummond being better conditioned and leaner prove out. No one doubts his athletic gifts. Imagine him even more mobile, enduring, and quick.

Let's hope.

Is this possible?

I think he could definitely work on his endurance. not that it was a huge issue before, but now he's expected to stay on the floor longer and contribute more on both ends of the ball. He'll need every bit of endurance he can muster.

I'm happy he prioritized getting in better shape this off season.