Detroit Pistons Roster Shakeup: Bickerstaff Implementing New Concepts

When the Detroit Pistons finally broke out of their offseason with a 109-107 preseason victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, the team had an opportunity for several different debuts. 

From a personnel standpoint, the veteran contingent of John Collins, Isaiah Joe and Taurean Prince all logged their first appearance in a Pistons uniform, Collins in a starting capacity with the latter two coming off the bench. Additionally, former Stanford point guard Ebuka Okorie had his first preseason experience as a rookie, so there were several first-time occurrences for the Pistons in their exhibition opener. 

But upon further review, Detroit also debuted a few new stylistic touches that could become mainstays in the Motor City. Since Jalen Duren was out of the lineup against the Suns, Detroit had to slightly alter their frontcourt depth chart to compensate for the All-Star absence. Though Paul Reed held down the starting center role on Monday, the Pistons flexed to a small-ball lineup with the 6-9, 235-pound Collins putting in impromptu work at the five for various passages of play. 

Pistons President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon alluded to this possibility shortly before the preseason kicked off, but that was the first time Detroit had worked out that tactic in live action with Collins in the fold. 

“I think we’re introducing some new things and new concepts, and it’s always expected to be that way,” Bickerstaff said after practice yesterday. “Typically your offense is a little bit behind your defense to start camp, but again, it’s a great opportunity for us just to see it, get it on film, watch it as a group, break it down as coaches, break it down on the floor and improve from it.”

Since Collins was a 40% shooter from beyond the arc last season, the option to move the Wake Forest product to the five should help the Pistons space the floor. Frankly, Collins’ presence even at the four should help create more spacing in the Motor City, but the consequence to this small-ball lineup tweak was that the Pistons gave up a lot of offensive rebounds to the Suns with the 10-year vet at center.

But even apart from that big man rotation, the Pistons are experimenting with multiple ball handlers on the floor at one time, which has been a popular goal for Bickerstaff-led squads in the past. Both Okorie and Daniss Jenkins logged significant time together at the end of the Pistons preseason opener, which coincided with Detroit’s reclamation of the lead in an 18-point comeback, so perhaps there is some merit to this versatility in Motown. 

Since there’s such a high influx of new talent on the Pistons after an offseason overhaul, Bickerstaff is likely to continue working through different ideas as the preseason stretches on. However, the All-Star coach is still keeping the team focused on their identity despite the roster transition.

”The foundation is the foundation, and that always stays the same,” Bickerstaff said. 

The Pistons have a couple more days off before traveling to the nation’s capital for a 7:30 pm tip-off against the Washington Wizards on Saturday, Oct. 10.