While it’s no guarantee that either player will crack new head coach Dwane Casey‘s rotation, both newly-acquired veterans Jose Calderon and Zaza Pachulia are ideal fits to complement the Pistons‘ roster, opines Keith Langlois of Pistons.com.
“They can still play an NBA basketball game. They can contribute,” says senior advisor Ed Stefanski. “But if they don’t play one night, they’re not going to be moping in the locker room. They’re going to be ready to play all the time and they’re going to help these young guys become professionals.”
With both Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith returning this season, Calderon is not likely to see much time at the point guard position. However, given Calderon’s size (6’3”) and ability to shoot from long range (career 41.1% 3-point shooter), it will be interesting to see whether Calderon could play along Jackson or Smith, especially when two rookies – Khyri Thomas and Bruce Brown – are likely to be relied upon for reserve shooting guard minutes.
As for Pachulia, he seems to be firmly rooted as a reserve center behind starter Andre Drummond and backups Jon Leuer and Henry Ellenson. But, with an 82-game season to play, injuries could very well force the 34-year-old Georgian big man into more minutes.
“I’m very excited about our two veterans in Pachulia and Calderon,” Stefanski added. “Both winners in the NBA. Both have won championships. Both – if you talk to people in the league – they’re as good a guys as you’re going to get, as professional as you’re going to get.”
If Reggie stays healthy this Piston team will be a top 5 seed in the East, Reggie is a cold blooded scorer. Blake has to be a dog in the paint also.
Idk if Detroit it a top 5 team in the East. Boston, Toronto, Philly are clearly the top 3. I’d put Washington, Milwaukee, Indiana ahead of them.
Only in the East can you be considered a to five seed and top three pick lottery team in the same sentence.
Lakers much?
My new favorite commenter :)
Will bet money one or both of them will get hurt most of 2018-19.
I’ll bet 20 dollars Blake and Reggie play 70+ games and the Pistons make the playoffs.
Jose is 100% gold.
The only guy who always stays healthy is Drummond, so they need to try keep Blake healthy too, Reggie I don’t know, he is very important in this team, but realistically he isn’t a top PG, they need an improvement, big time. But at least Blake/Drummond can actually create so that helps a lot to cover up for Reggie.