The Detroit Pistons Big Man Problems

[BleedGreen1989]

The Detroit Pistons went out and signed Josh Smith to a 4/$52mill contract this summer. Lots of people expected problems when the Pistons tried to cram Josh Smith into an already awkward frontcourt of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.

Greg Monroe, seems to be more effective at C is has been forced to play PF because of young Andre Drummonds emergence.

Adding Smith to this duo has lead the Detroit Pistons to a 14-22 record and on the outside looking in to a putrid East playoff picture. The Pistons also rank towards the bottom in many important defensive statistics such as, opponent estimated FG% (#26), opponent PPG (#23), opponent shooting efficiency (#28), and opponent FG made per game (#24).

This isn't all their fault but its pretty clear it's not working when all 3 play together.

However, take one out and they become much more effective. Doesn't matter who you remove, the numbers are positive,

When all three play:
Offensive rating: 104.3
Defensive rating: 112.2
Net rating: –7.9

Monroe and Drummond, not Smith:
Offensive rating: 113.6
Defensive rating: 109.4
Net rating: +4.2

Smith and Monroe, not Drummond:
Offensive rating: 106.9
Defensive rating: 100.5
Net rating: +6.4

Smith and Drummond, not Monroe:
Offensive rating: 111.6
Defensive rating: 105.2
Net rating: +6.4
(numbers via nbawowy)

Then to address Greg Monroe's impending free agency. Detroit can match any offer, but do they want to match a max offer that may come and invest even more money in this trio?

Greg Monroe seems like the obvious choice to be moved, but reports say Detroit is holding firm on trading their big man.

One of the more interesting stories I'll be following this season and into the summer should they decide to keep Monroe.

[Lucky17]

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/49799

Bob (Seattle)

CourtVision just named Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings as two of the worst volume shooters in the NBA. There's no hope for Detroit, right? And will this be the last year of Joe Dumars?

Kevin Pelton
  (3:32 PM)

Their offense is 21st in the league, and you can win with that, at least in the East. For example, they're right behind Washington in offensive rating. To me, not being able to put together a league-average defense with Andre Drummond and Josh Smith involved is more galling, and points to coaching as a major issue.

[KCattheStripe]

They should trade Monroe for Paul Millsap. always a genius idea.

[Evantime34]

They should just trade us Monroe for Jeff Green, problem solved.

[BleedGreen1989]

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/49799

Bob (Seattle)

CourtVision just named Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings as two of the worst volume shooters in the NBA. There's no hope for Detroit, right? And will this be the last year of Joe Dumars?

Kevin Pelton
  (3:32 PM)

Their offense is 21st in the league, and you can win with that, at least in the East. For example, they're right behind Washington in offensive rating. To me, not being able to put together a league-average defense with Andre Drummond and Josh Smith involved is more galling, and points to coaching as a major issue.

Yeah, the Mo Cheeks hire didn't make a ton of sense. Would of been nice to try and hire a young coach to grow with this roster.

Maybe they were just scared of Jennings and Smith eating alive a rookie coach.

[BballTim]

They should just trade us Monroe for Jeff Green, problem solved.

  Don't laugh, they could easily be in better shape if they did that.

[BleedGreen1989]

The Grizzlies packed the paint a little bit after the Pistons beat them up on the glass early in the game. Monroe only attempted two shots outside of the paint, which might be two shots too many considering he shooting just 19-of-69 (27.5 percent) from that range on the season. The Pistons going 1-6 in their last seven games might ignite some Monroe trade rumors again,

[Yoki_IsTheName]

They should just trade us Monroe for Jeff Green, problem solved.

  Don't laugh, they could easily be in better shape if they did that.

All the more reason why we should do it.

I understand the Sully - Monroe conundrum. but IMO that's easy to solve.

Play Sully off the bench. The same amount of minutes he gets, but coming off the bench, and as much as possible, him and Monroe should not share the floor together a whole lot. Of course it's going to happen, but lesser time they share the floor, the better (for rim protection purposes). 

Find a PF or a Center who can cover PF's that can protect the paint. Like Marcin Gortat (who's a free agent). With him, Monroe and Sully as the big man rotation (Kelly too if he proves worthy), we're set. Just need to get Rondo back and re-do the wings department.

[SHAQATTACK]

They should just trade us Monroe for Jeff Green, problem solved.

Exactly ....what are they thinking

Just common sense....thing to do

[BleedGreen1989]

Watching the Pistons/76ers game.

Pistons have lost 6 straight and desperately need a win.

[Celtics4ever]

I'd love to have their problem.

[ScoobyDoo]

"Don't laugh, they could easily be in better shape if they did that".

This is 100% correct - TP to BballTim

The next thing they should do is trade Brandon Jennings for any expiring contract they can and then look to sign the best available pass first point guard they can find.

Drummond, Smith and Green with a pass first point guard on the break would be scary.

Detroit could also trade Josh Smith to the Celtics for Kris Humphries, Jared Sullinger and a first round pick.

That might seem like a stupid trade but I'd seriously consider it if I were Detroit. You get a nice young prospect in Sullinger, a first round pick and and you can then use the combination of Charlie V's, Stuckey's and Humphries expiring contracts to sign a real fit at the small forward spot that would fit well with Drummond and a re-signed Monroe.

Of course for the Celtics that trade would depend on your opinion of Josh Smith and how good Rondo and Stevens could make him, or corral him into playing in the post and on the break rather than on the three point line.   

[LarBrd33]

If they had 1st rounders, this would make some sense

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=lyvzl5j

[BleedGreen1989]

If they had 1st rounders, this would make some sense

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=lyvzl5j

I'm not even gonna click on it, but let me guess, you're trying to trade Rajon Rondo?

You're so unpredictable LB!