Stuck On You: The Transformation Of Rodney Stuckey

The Detroit Pistons had once again yet another successful season, or routine to the naked eye.

They reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the sixth straight season and were dismissed for the fourth time in those six years and fired another head coach prematurely.

But Detroit's season did not go without a few bright spots...one of them being newborn, versatile guard Rodney Stuckey.

Here is a recap of how the future All Star guard has paved his way to the NBA:

The combo guard attended Kentwood High School in Washington, and led them to a state title in his senior season.

The hometown native then elected to choose Eastern Washington to further his athletic career.

In his freshman season, Stuckey was named Big Sky MVP (the first time a freshman ever received that accolade) and the Big Sky Freshman of The Year, averaging 24.2 PPG, 4.1 APG, 4.8 RPG, and 2.2 SPG.

The following year, the 6'4" playmaker improved once again and produced 24.6 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.7 RPG, and 2.4 SPG during his sophomore and final season as an Eagle and a college basketball player; spearheaded by finishing fourth in the country in scoring, featuring nine 30+ point games and three 10+ assist games.

He finished his career as an Eastern Washington Eagle as a second team All-America Selection and devouring countless Big Sky and school records.

After an outstanding collegiate career at Eastern Washington, he entered into the 2007 NBA Draft and was chosen as the 15th pick overall by the Detroit Pistons.

In the Summer League, Stuckey averaged 19 PPG, 4 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 1.2 SPG. He also shot 46 percent from the field and 90.3 percent from the free throw line, while leading the Pistons to a 4-1 record.

He continued his torrid play into exhibition games, where he averaged 32.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 9.1 APG.

Unfortunately, he broke his hand in the finale of the NBA's preseason, causing him to miss six weeks and pushing back his professional debut until December. 

Named to the NBA's All-Rookie Second Team, the motivated guard aimed to make a statement in the playoffs.

Early in the fourth quarter of the Game Two, the second round matchup between the Pistons and the Celtics, #3 was inserted into the starting lineup by Flip Saunders replacing Chauncey Billups, hoping the rookie would deliver much needed energy off the bench.

Rodney delivered six points in the fourth quarter and finished with 13 points total to give Detroit the edge and Game Two to even the series at one game apiece. 

In Game Five of that same series, Stuckey scored the Pistons' final eight points in a span of 55 seconds including a clutch three-pointer that chipped the lead to one, 100-99.

The Celtics eventually hung on to win Game Five, 106-102 en route to winning the Finals, but Stuckey left Motor City critics and fans drooling over his untapped potential.

Stuckey also averaged 9.8 PPG against the Orlando Magic, to go along with a remarkable 95 percent against the Magic, going 19-20 from the line.

Here's an overall look of his numbers last season:

2007-08 Seasonal Numbers: 7.6 PPG, 2.8 APG, 2.3 RPG, 0.9 SPG 

2007-08 Playoff Numbers: 8.2 PPG, 3.4 APG, 1.9 RPG, 1 SPG, 87.9 percent FT Shooting

2007-08 vs Celtics: 9.8 PPG, 2.8 APG, 1.5 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 80 percent FT Shooting

Stuckey is a lights-out shooter that will capitalize on any freedom given by defenders. His quick release and graceful shooting motion enables him to transfer the ball out of his hands faster than the incoming defender.

His ball handling skills and decision making are better than mediocre but still can be improved as with most inexperienced players.

My comparison of Rodney Stuckey is a young Ray Allen.