With new players on the roster come new offensive roles. Let’s take a look at some plays throughout the preseason where the Pistons offense may look different heading into this year.
John Collins, Small-Ball Five
Although Cade blows this layup, a back screen from Collins and a nice bounce pass from Ausar got Cunningham a wide-open attempt at the rim in this five-out look.
Even if you need Collins to run the pick-and-roll, he’s more than capable of being a lob threat on the roll.
Collins sets a high screen for Daniss Jenkins, but
look at how much space Deandre Ayton is forced to cover when Collins pops to the wing instead of rolling. Ayton has a foot in the restricted area before he’s forced to get back to contest the shot attempt.
While this isn’t his greatest strength, Collins can provide a little weak-side rim protection that we didn’t get from Tobias Harris the past two years.
Aggressive Ausar
In the first preseason game against the Suns, Ausar knocked down multiple pull-up jumpers and looked confident while doing it.
He also finished a nice scoop layup on a drive after receiving a screen from Paul Reed.
While the result of these two shots against the Wizards wasn’t ideal, these are still the types of shots I want Ausar to look for when the defense plays off of him.
Point Ausar
So far this preseason, I’ve been most impressed with Point Ausar and some of the passes/decisions he has made. This pocket pass to Reed on the roll was pretty.
Reed sets a flare screen for Cade late in transition and Ausar sends a one-handed bullet to Cunningham for an open three. Imagine what a season of setting Cade up for easy off-ball buckets could look like.
This didn’t count as an official assist in the box score due to the deflection, but it counts in my heart. Ausar on the break is an unreal specimen to watch. How about that behind-the-back move, too?
This one also didn’t end up in the box score, but he did all the work. Watch his eyes look towards Duncan Robinson to grab Ayo Dosunmu’s attention, but he sends a steamer to Cade as soon as Ayo lunges towards Duncan.
Ebuka Okorie Flashes
If there’s one thing we know about Ebuka Okorie’s game, it’s that you can’t keep him out of the paint. He had a flashy layup for the game-winner in Game 1.
This floater almost hit the roof of Capital One Arena, but this is a great counter for Okorie to have in his bag when he can’t get all the way to the rim.
What I want to see more out of Okorie is his ability to create shots for others. We know he can create shots for himself, but he grabs the attention of all five Wizards players as soon as he gets into the paint, and it results in an open catch-and-shoot three for Chaz Lanier.
Jalen Duren, The Monster
The Big Man, fresh off a $200 million payday, dominated in his preseason debut against Minnesota.
He showed off a little stepback jumper to score over Gobert early. That’s a nice counter to have when it’s needed.
JD gets the ball at the top of the key with some steam headed downhill, and he hits Gobert with a crossover and a fancy finish with his left hand.
JB Bickerstaff stated that they plan to use JD more as a playmaking hub this season, and I think it’s a fantastic idea. He’s great at initiating a new action in the offense with a dribble handoff (DHO), and it resulted in two massive dunks for him.
A new look I can get really excited about is using JD as the ball-handler in some inverted pick-and-rolls. After grabbing the rebound and bringing the ball up the court, Duncan Robinson sets a screen that results in Duren getting downhill and almost obliterating Joan Beringer on this dunk attempt. More inverted screens, please!
Some of y’all have been asking for it – could this be the year JD starts letting it fly from deep? He attempted one after a pick-and-pop last night!
What new offensive looks are you most excited about, DBB?
Detroit’s final preseason game is on Friday the 16th against the Toronto Raptors before they open the regular season on Tuesday the 20th against the Boston Celtics.
Go Stones.
