Brandon Jennings is playing in the D-League and plans to play for the Pistons next week.
But how quickly will he crack the rotation?
Pistons coach Van Gundy, via Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:
That’d be Steve Blake, Detroit’s backup point guard averaging 4.3 points and 3.1 assists in 16.1 minutes per game. Blake, who’s shooting 37.5% from the field and 32.8% on 3-pointers, has played better lately, but he’s still pretty limited at age 38.
The Pistons are lousy when Reggie Jackson sits, posting offensive/defensive/net ratings of 92.3/102.0/-9.7. The difference between Blake (96.2/102.4/-6.2) and Spencer Dinwiddie (77.6/100.3/-22.6) being on the court is only a matter of degree.
That’s not all the backup point guards’ fault. Detroit’s reserves largely lack punch. But a healthy Jennings, comfortable as a high-volume playmaker, could take the lead off the bench and ease pressure on everyone else.
My guess is health is the only reason Jennings isn’t yet ready to supplant Blake. Once Jennings has his legs under him, I bet he takes Blake’s backup job pretty easily.
The Pistons need someone like Jennings. It’s only a matter of time until they have him.