Tag: point guard

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The Detroit Pistons may have hit the jackpot with Bruce Brown

After the Detroit Pistons were eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, Pistons head coach Dwane Casey said “We’re going to have to grow from within. We have a lot of talent with our young guys, but they have some areas they can get much better.”

Enter Bruce Brown who Detroit drafted during last June’s NBA draft. Brown did not look like he would make that big an impact. In fact the Pistons rookie thought he would be in street clothes watching from the press box a lot. Instead, Bruce Brown found himself starting 56 games and played more minutes than all second-round picks other than the Dallas Mavericks Jalen Brunson, the 33rd draft pick.

His physical strength helped Brown become a defensive weapon for the Detroit Pistons. Not a single player put up better numbers in strength testing at the 2018 NBA draft combine than Bruce Brown.

This offseason the Pistons are asking Bruce to primarily focus on improving his 3 point shooting,  Brown shot just .258 from the 3 point arc and was a reluctant shooter, averaging only 7.8 shots per 36 minutes and just 2.3 from the 3 point line per 36,  but Brown also must use his God given physical strength and be a  better finisher at the rim.

Dwane Casey likes Brown’s explosive first step and his strength which should allow him to finish strong. He just needs to trust his step more. Detroit wants to find a point guard this offseason. In the draft or free agency. However, I suggest what Dwane Casey has said. Bruce Brown can be that point guard the team is desperate for.

In short, Bruce Brown already has the tough part down. He is above average to very good on defense. The Pistons need him to switch gears a bit and focus on offense. Brown, can do it. It will take some time.

Brown already makes good decisions with the ball. Because he is so good on defense he has already guarded many different players at different heights. Because of his aforementioned physical skill level and he has a toughness that can not be coached. Detroit could go short term on a point guard on the free agent market and give Brown a chance to grow into the position.

I look to Bruce Brown to take another step next season.

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Could Detroit Pistons Svi Mykhailiuk move to point guard

Embed from Getty Images Pistons coach Dwane Casey is toying with the ideal of developing Svi Mykhailiuk into a point guard to maximize his big 6′ 8″ frame. Which would give the player and team an advantage over the rest of the NBA’s point guards.

Casey stated “It gives you length on defense and you can see defenses better.” The prototypical NBA point guard is 6-6, 6-7. The Detroit Pistons pan is to have Mykhailiuk  join the teams offseason developmental program.  Casey is in favor of putting players in position to succeed.

Pistons fans an local Detroit media are asking “If he’s so talented, why isn’t Mykhailiuk in the Pistons rotation, already.” Fair enough. The fair answer is  Svi Mykhailiuk  was not fully acclimated with the Los Angels Lakers, is not prepared to make the switch while the Pistons are in the middle of  trying to get into the playoffs.

It is said that while watching Mykhailiuk go through pregame drills, an Eastern Conference scout told reporters Svi projects to be a dead-eye shooter and a playmaker. That is good news for Detroit.

Pistons front office will get their first prolonged look at Mykhailiuk at point guard during Las Vegas Summer League action in July. One thing is for sure is Mykhailiuk brings toughness.  He does not back down from other players or situations.

“This summer’s going to be a big one for my development,” Mykhailiuk said. “It’s started right now, even if I don’t play. I’m getting in a lot of extra work before games and even on days off. I just got to work on my all-around game.”

The good news for the Detroit Pistons and their fans is Svi Mykhailiuk sounds as though he is embracing the switch to point guard. This could be a good thing for the organization. It could also be a good thing for the player. As he evolves his game some more. He will see more playing time.