Detroit Pistons vs Phoenix Suns 2/14/2024
Game Breakdown
Pistons - 100 - 116 L
Cade, Ivey, Fontecchio, Ausar, Duren
Absolutely awful start to the game defensively
Same off the ball defensive issues as all year
Transition possession where Fontecchio gets the layup and then HE is the closest guy to Gordon on the “transition” (this is after a MADE shot) layup
Another transition possession end of the 1st and you can just tell these team doesn’t have the energy (West Coast trip and last game before ASB)
Game is 23-23 (w/Lee at the line) with Booker ejected and KD with 2 fouls when the Pistons sub in the entire 2nd unit (my biggest issue right now with Monty Williams)
6 minutes later this is a 24 game and it wasn’t JUST the backups
Yes, they started it but the starters definitely didn’t come in and do anything to get the game back under control
Suns get it to 35 EARLY in the 3rd Quarter
Completely understand and support the decision to take Cade out with 4 minutes left in the 2nd quarter after a couple REALLY bad TOs (if that was the reason, maybe it was just minutes)
FOURNIER is first sub in this game (believe he was last game as well or came in with someone else)
This mean he is solidly in the rotation coming out of the ASB?
DUREN obviously has some REAL vertical pop and explosion, we have seen it, but there are times where I feel like he “leaves something to be desired” with this offensively
Haven’t quite figured it out but maybe from a stand still? In traffic? Any time there is a contest?
Made me think of it in this game when he gets blocked by Nurkic in transition but often it stands out to me in situations where I think he should score and he actually ends up not even getting an attempt off
Nurkic gets him again in the 3rd after an OREB where Duren is having to explode from a stand still
And not like Nurkic is known for his big time shot blocking ability or athleticism
Tried to look up official NBA combine measurements but he did not test there
All I could find from Memphis pro day was a 7’5 wingspan
Found a “reddit blog” that had his standing at 30.5”
If we use this that would put him roughly middle of the pack of those who tested in the 2021 Draft and upper 1/3 of 2022 Draft (remember most FRPs don’t test so their numbers aren’t in there)
CADE taking the Booker matchup to start the game is something I really do like to see...stuff like this is what I always envisioned his “all around” game being
I actually don’t think he is shot fake is that effective and I don’t love how he leans back so far on it (makes it hard for him to have any sort of explosion after the fake)
Wish there was a stat of how many times he has made a shot immediately after using his shot fake, would be fascinated to know this
His TOs seemed to just lack awareness of secondary defenders around him that would be digging at the ball
IVEY first 2 attempts are 3PAs (and not necessarily bad process like last game)
BUT I don’t want him “settling” for these, get him downhill to start the game
FONTECCHIO continues to show some nice things off the bounce
Nothing crazy but he only has to be able to do it a little bit to keep teams honest
Game is a blowout at this point but has a couple pretty impressive ones in the 3rd quarter
EXTREMELY small sample size that could EASILY re balance BUT in his 3 games with Pistons he is up 10% in terms of % of FGAs between 0-3 feet
AUSAR has process that I really like with 8:00 to go in the 2nd quarter
Gets a drive and kick to the corner, instead of shooting the 3 (short closeout from defense) he STILL attacks and gets to the rim….he misses BUT it opened a putback dunk opportunity for Duren
PnR with him is STILL a really good play when you are playing him with a stretch big
SASSER makes the SAME EXACT TO as Cade trying to snake the ball screen and crossover in front of Eubanks
Sasser shot making has been really exciting but he can not be a TO, mistake (either end) guy
Just an example (yes, Sasser is just a rookie) but Burks TOV% this year is 6.4% and Sasser is at 13.3%
WISEMAN with NOT a good game
The “little” mistakes just pile up in this one
Illegal screens (at some point this has to be somewhat on him even if the guards are going early, haven’t watched close enough to determine)
Defensive 3 seconds
Etc. Etc. Etc.
*I have no takes on the Isaiah Stewert and Drew Eubanks pregame altercation until we get further details*
*With the ASB and some much needed rest (remember that many of these guys had to endure that losing streak) and with the new roster I am very excited to evaluate this team, and these players, over the final stretch of games where I think we can finally get some true evaluations without as many caveats (injuries, spacing, lack of 3-and-D wings, etc.). Roster isn’t perfect by any means BUT I believe it makes enough sense to get a much better pulse (go listen to The Pistons Pulse) on some of these youngsters.*
Suns
Booker, Allen, Gordon, KD, Nurkic
ALLEN defense has looked good to me the last couple games I have watched
NOT a lock down guy but he is going to compete and take tough matchups and let their stars conserve energy
IF the Suns make a deep playoff run I think he will play a major role in that
BOOKER gets ejected halfway through the 1st quarter
LEE pressures the rim over and over and over if nothing else
He is simply playing with more energy than anyone else on the floor right now
OKOGIE with a big OREB at the end of the 1st
This is just what this guy does, he would be a mainstay in their rotation for me
O’NEALE coming in and doing EXACTLY what this team needs from him
Hits a couple C&S 3P and plays defense
NURKIC just bullying all of the Pistons centers
KD defensive engagement was solid in the 1st half and I am excited to see what level he can take this to in the playoffs when this team will REALLY need it
GORDON seems to jump……and land (trying to pass) more than any player I have watched
*IF you want more notes on the Suns I have a breakdown and raw notes of their game vs the Kings on 2/13/24*