Written by:
Max Mandel
/ avg. rating: 5.0
When the Trail Blazers host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, fans will see a very different looking Pistons team. Since these teams met last season, the Pistons have brought in a new coach, signed Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon, and drafted three guys who are all seeing some minutes early in the season. In order to get a better sense about what the Trail Blazers should be expecting, we decided to check in with Keith Langlois from Pistons.com. We would like to thank Keith for providing his unique insight about the Pistons and what fans should be expecting on Wednesday night at the Rose Garden.
I am a Trail Blazers fan: After one season with
Michael Curry at the helm, the Pistons decided to go a different direction and
bring in John Kuester. How do you think the team has responded to Kuester, and
how has he changed the system and culture in Detroit?
Keith Langlois: Players have been universal in their praise of Kuester, appreciating his consistency of message and the way his actions match his word. Kuester has managed to straddle the line between being critical and being a cheerleader expertly so far. He’s very much a stickler for detail and sometimes when coaches overplay that hand it rubs players the wrong way, but he’s just as sure to praise good effort and execution as he is to penalize lack of focus with loss of playing time.
I am a Trail Blazers fan: Detroit was one of the most active teams in
free agency this offseason. What type of impact have Charlie Villanueva and Ben
Gordon made so far this season?
Keith Langlois: Tremendous impact so far. Villanueva was a little slow out of the game because he missed the bulk of training camp with a hamstring pull, but he’s been terrific for the last five games. Not only is Villanueva a versatile scorer, with the ability to stretch defenses to the 3-point line and put the ball on the floor and create for himself, but he’s been better than advertised defensively. To that end, Ben Wallace is rubbing off on him and Villanueva seems to be taking pride in his defensive effort. Gordon’s been everything the Pistons had hoped, giving them a 3-point presence they lacked last year and also someone who can create off the dribble.
I am a Trail Blazers fan: In Rodney Stuckey, the
Pistons have one of the best young guards in the league. What improvements have
you seen from Stuckey through the opening month of the season?
Keith Langlois: Defense, most notably. Kuester says he has the potential to be the best defensive guard he’s ever been around and as good as anybody in the league guarding on the perimeter. The Pistons have made heavy use of a three-guard lineup, often matching Stuckey up against small forwards, and he’s accepted that challenge. He’s also improved the range and consistency on his jump shot – something he knows is critical to him becoming an elite point guard – and is also getting an improved sense of when to attack the rim and when to pull up.
I am a Trail Blazers fan: Who is one guy that
doesn't get a lot of national attention that you think Trail Blazers fans
should keep their eyes on when these teams meet?
Keith Langlois: Will Bynum was signed in the summer of 2008 to be the No. 3 point guard after two years in Israel. Then the Pistons traded Chauncey Billups and Bynum became the No. 2 point guard. Now, especially with Rip Hamilton out, he’s getting starter’s minutes and often has the ball in his hands in the fourth quarters. He’s uncanny at taking the ball to the basket and finishing against much bigger players. Bynum’s listed at 6-foot-0, but he’s at least 2 inches shorter than that.
I am a Trail Blazers fan: In Austin Daye, Jonas Jerebko, and DaJuan Summers, the Pistons have a trio
of exciting rookies. Which of the rookies has made the biggest impact this
year, and which do you envision having the brightest future?
Keith Langlois: Jerebko played power forward exclusively in the preseason, but when both Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince went down with injuries, the Pistons moved him into the starting lineup at small forward, the position he played professionally in Italy the past two years. He’s more advanced defensively than Daye or Summers and has done a terrific job against players like Vince Carter, Hedo Turkoglu and Gerald Wallace since becoming the starter. Daye has tantalizing offensive skills for a 6-foot-11 player and Kuester is picking his spots to use him. Summers is adapting from spending most of his Georgetown career guarding on the interior to now guarding on the perimeter. He’s got a sweet shooting stroke and an NBA-ready body. The Pistons feel they came out of the draft with three players who’ll be in their rotation someday.