Rodney Stuckey’s Got The Pistons Thinking Playoffs
Rodney Stuckey (photo. Tom McKenzie)
Watching the Pistons dynasty dismantle the past few years was like watching the cast of Saturday Night Live when they started to lose guys like David Spade, Adam Sandler and Chris Farley. After the departure of Chauncey Billups, it all seemed to start going downhill from there. Next to go was Rasheed Wallace, who signed with Boston over this offseason. Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince are still there, but Rip has been upset with the organization and Tayshaun has been the subject of various trade rumors.
With a different coach and roster, everybody thought the Pistons would be lottery bound this season. While that still may be the case, Detroit has held their own so far. They are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference playoff race with an 11-12 record. They have won five in a row and six of their last seven games including big victories over Denver and Atlanta.
One of the main reasons for their recent success has been the spectacular play of Rodney Stuckey. During this seven-game stretch, Stuckey has averaged 23.6 ppg and 5.9 apg and getting to the line over seven times a night. He had game-winning shots against both the Nuggets and Sixers last week. For the season, he is putting up 19.2 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.6 rpg and 1.3 spg. And he’s done all this despite all the injuries that have hit Motown.
With Ben Gordon out and Hamilton just coming back from an injury, Stuckey has taken advantage of his chance to shine. What’s impressive is the fact that he has been getting his points by going hard to the basket and either getting to the line or scoring easy buckets. Stuckey’s got the moves and speed to get his shot off whenever he wants (see Allen Iverson clip). He’s shot over 50 percent in the last four games and has only jacked-up two, three-pointers in the past seven contests. He has also utilized his size and strength by posting up smaller guards.
While he won’t be an All-Star this season, he is proving that he could be one someday. If he can find good chemistry with Rip and Gordon, then they could form one of the most explosive scoring trios in the league. But most importantly, Rodney is helping give this Pistons team their own identity and a chance to return to the playoffs this season.
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December 15th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Tim says:
Kuestrr has been fantastic managing the team despite the injuries.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Detroit Dave says:
Nice piece on the Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
GABRIEL BROGDEN says:
….but their wing play got them think lotto.
December 15th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
aaron says:
Plus he looks like 50 Cent
December 15th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Diego says:
Not like it is exactly going to take much of a win/loss record to snag one of those last spots in the East!
And how about those Wizards! Uh, I guess it doesn’t look like they are going to be fighting for the East conf. title afterall.
December 15th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Tim says:
nope on the Wizards…Never understood all the Wizards hype, yeah it sounds like a great team on paper, but realistically, when was the last time they actually challenged for an upper spot in the Eastern conference….they’ve always been a subpar team with high expectations…you could pencil them in for maybe a 4 or 5 spot in the playoffs, but thats it. Not quite sure why anyone is really surprised. Sure Flip came into Detroit and won 63 (I think?) games. Wizards aren’t even close to that Pistons team though…so I never understood it, just like I never understood anyone calling the Pistons to miss the playoffs.
I also wouldn’t put it all on Stuckey for getting them thinking playoffs, how about Jerebko…besides Jennings and Evans and a few top picks, what other rookies are making an imprint like Jonas…he might be this year’s second round steal (along with Blair) He is definitely making Prince look more expendable than before.