Pistons Prep: Baby Bench One Of The Best In The NBA

The Trail Blazers, OKC, Warriors, Pistons and the Hornets have one of the youngest, talented, and most exciting cores in the league.

Believe it or not, Detroit is slowly beginning to break away from its stalemate style of play and to an energetic, flashy group of playmakers.

Here is my perspective of the Detroit Pistons second unit:

PG/SG Rodney Stuckey

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% FT Shooting

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

An All Rookie 2nd team selection during his rookie campaign, the former Eastern Washington superstar garnered immense respect from the NBA community thanks to his standout performance during the postseason.

Widely known for his heroic effort of almost rearing Detroitback in Game 5 of the Pistons-Celtics matchup, Stuckey scored the Pistons' final 8 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 wing Game 5 106-102 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% against the Magic, going 19-20 from the line.

The Pistons front offices are prepping Rodney for the future for life after Billups; a safeguard if you will.

SG Arron Afflalo

2007-08 Seasonal Numbers: 3.7 PPG, 0.7 APG, and 1.8 RPG

2007-08 Playoff Numbers: 1.2 PPG, 0.5 APG, 0.4 RPG

While the youngster might look meaningless, Afflalo’s numbers are extremely misleading. He gives Detroit entirely another option at shooting guard. The former Bruin realized last season that he’s not a primary jump shooter but actually an aggressive slasher, evidence in the drawback of his numbers.

Or then again, it could be the conversion of his skill set at the NBA level.

Towards the end of last season, Afflalo worked on his mechanics and slowly found his shot, shooting 51.9% in March.

SF Deron Washington

2007-08 Seasonal Numbers (at Virginia Tech): 13.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1 SPG

An intriguing draft pick made by the Pistons. The highflyer out of Virginia Tech publicly embarrassed ignorant defenders who attempted to halt his destruction on the rim, week after week in the NCAA.

Washington is routinely recognized for his immaculate jams and I believe that is only strong aspect of his game.

Deron’s production in the NBA will certainly be questionable.

He e was a terrible three point shooter converting only 28.6% of his attempts and roughly about 60% of his points came from dunking or alley-oops.

PF Jason Maxiell

2007-08 Seasonal Numbers: 7.9 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 62.5% FG Shooting

2007-08 Playoff Numbers: 5.6 PPG, 4 RPG, 1.2 BPG

A younger Chris Webber, Maxiell has been the centerpiece of the Pistons 2^ndunit for the past two seasons. The hardnosed rebounder from Cincinnati, uses his linebacker frame to outmuscle opponents on the glass and to set screens for his teammates.

Despite the fact that Jason is undersized for the power forward position standing at only 6-7, his intensity on defense is well noted as Pistons’ fan across Detroit are excited about his similarities to defective ex-Pistons C Ben Wallace.

A ferocious shot blocker, Maxiell recorded 9 blocks in 6 games in Detroit’s first round matchup against the 76ers in the postseason.

Of course having a 7-2 wingspan doesn’t hurt.

Primarily a scrappy power forward in the post, Jason has also developed a reliable jump-shot, to compliment his game.

PF Amir Johnson

2007-08 Seasonal Numbers: 3.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.3 BPG

2007-08 Playoff Numbers: 2.6 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 75% FG Shooting

Like Maxiell, Amir is loved for his physical style of play and uses his body to bully and box out fellow big men.

While Amir hasn’t quite developed another source of scoring besides getting spoon fed in the paint, Johnson is a promising prospect who like Maxiell will receive more minutes this season to develop.

Overall, the Detroit Pistons have one of the best young cores and benches in the entire league.