by Keith Langlois, Pistons.com
FAST BREAKDOWN
Three quick observations from Monday night’s 86-81 loss to the San Antonio Spurs
SLAM DUNK – Reggie Jackson not only underwent a platelet-rich plasma treatment for his ailing left knee on Monday in New York, but also for a right thumb injury that dates to early last season. The Pistons officially put a six- to eight-week timetable on his return. Ish Smith thus becomes a very important figure for the Pistons given that he could wind up starting about 20 games if Jackson’s rehabilitation hits the upper limit on expectations. Smith has struggled with mid-range and perimeter shots through two preseason games (3 of 13 through two games), but he had an impact on Monday’s loss with his ability to push the ball in transition. It was especially apparent in the first quarter after the Pistons fell behind 12-4. Smith finished with five assists and six boards but only two points in 24 minutes. It was Lorenzo Brown’s turn to audition for the backup spot after Ray McCallum Jr. played in the opener. Brown was steady – zero turnovers in 24 minutes – in finishing with nine points, though he had zero assists and shot 3 of 9. The Pistons aren’t running the same stuff for McCallum and Brown they run with Jackson, so they’re not going to have the scoring or assist numbers Jackson posted. It’s going to come down to who runs the team more efficiently and who defends better. There’s no separation between them yet with four preseason games to go.
FREE THROW – It’s going to take a minute for Stan Van Gundy to sort out his options at power forward. It’s a nice problem to have, but it’s going to take some trial and error to figure out how to make the pieces fit. Starter Tobias Harris (11 points, four rebounds, 29 minutes) is every bit as comfortable, perhaps more, at small forward and can make plays off the dribble atypical for the position. Jon Leuer (14 points, five rebounds, 28 minutes), the top backup, showed off his passing ability with five assists Monday. Van Gundy sampled some Andre Drummond-Aron Baynes (seven points, three rebounds, 14 minutes) tandem against San Antonio starters Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge in the second quarter, but it was clear the Pistons were a little unsure how to make it work at the offensive end. Then there’s rookie Henry Ellenson (seven minutes), who continues to give the Pistons reason to feel good about last June’s draft. While there’s no clear path to playing time for Ellenson, his unique offensive skill set is already intriguing Van Gundy for the possibilities it provides.
3-POINTER – San Antonio’s ability to attract elite free agents has allowed the Pistons to build enviable depth at center behind Andre Drummond. In each of the past two off-seasons, the Pistons signed a backup big man – Aron Bayes in 2015, Boban Marjanovic in ’16 – because the Spurs dedicated cap space to adding LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol. The Pistons signed Marjanovic because they understood they were on the verge of being in San Antonio’s position with regard to the salary cap and were at great risk of losing Baynes in 2017 due to limitations on what they can offer Baynes. “I miss just having (Marjanovic) around,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovic said before Monday’s game. “I still miss Baynes. Those guys were great teammates. We certainly wish we could have kept (Marjanovic). Financially, it just wasn’t possible. It happens to every team. You know, you lose guys because you pay people. Can’t pay them all. We’re thrilled he got the contract he got here. He’s with a geat coach, so he’s going to be well taken care of.”
