Maurice Mo Cheeks to the Rescue

February 24, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Team Chuck coach Maurice Cheeks talks to an official during the second half of the BBVA rising stars challenge at the Amway Center in Orlando. Team Chuck defeated Team Shaq 146-133. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Pistons have a front-runner who has jumped ahead of the pack and as the title states it’s Maurice Mo Cheeks. Cheeks seems to be the consensus pick to management, ownership and has previous head coaching experience in his two head coaching stints with the Portland Trailblazers and Philadelphia 76ers. His combined record is 284-286 for a .498% winning percentage. He is currently an assistant coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Let’s look at how he can make an immediate impact with the current roster and the benefits of him if as we continue to look forward to the next Pistons regime.

Good Times

Maurice Mo Cheeks is an absolute innovator when it comes to getting the most out of his players. Balance is paramount to make individuals into a cohesive unit and team. His teams always seems to meet or exceed expected win totals and usually rank in the top half in most offensive and defensive statistics. His teams normally rank in the top 10 in several defensive categories. I absolutely love his coaching style and I think it will blend in well for the talent we have on the roster.

On offense he believes in getting the ball in post. He has coached such scorers in the past like Rasheed Wallace, Zack Randolph, Allen Iverson and Chris Webber. When Rasheed Wallace played with Arvyadas Sabonis he routinely would run a lot of plays where Wallace would feed Sabonis or vice versa into the post from the perimeter. Since either one has a good outside jumper it made it hard to double down in the post. I’m hoping the Turnt up Twins can develop this faucet to their game. Greg Monroe already has it as a willing passer and decent jump shot but it never hurts to increase the range of your jumper. Andre Drummond will work hard this off-season to improve passing and outside shot. His teams play hard-nosed troop orientated defense.

When it’s all said and done Brandon Knight may have the most to gain because Cheeks will give him freedom but will have insight on accurately to run sets. His assists per game I think could double if Knight heeds to the teaching of Maurice Mo Cheeks. Cheeks has worked with over the last four season and has resounding results with Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and for the first three season James Harden. He has helped them with defining their roles and playing care free. They absolutely love playing for him.

Closing Times

Overall Cheeks is a great hire and has a ton of experience. He will blend in the talent on the roster and put in a system of accountability. He will give them some leeway and let them play but will use mistakes as teaching moments to show them errors in their ways. He’s a player’s coach but the players will walk through a brick wall for him. With a young roster you need a master motivator who illuminates Maurice Mo Cheeks in to the man.