Detroit Pistons’ Guard Jodie Meeks Out For Two Months
By Zach Libby
First Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, now Jodie Meeks.
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The newly signed free agent was brought in this offseason to address the shooting problem for the Detroit Pistons, but instead, will spend part of the 2014-15 season on the bench.
According to the Pistons PR firm, a CAT scan revealed a stress reaction in Meeks’ lower back, which means he’ll be out for eight weeks.
Per #Pistons PR - Jodie Meeks will miss about 8 weeks with a stress reaction in his lower back. CAT Scan on Monday revealed injury.
— Jake Chapman (@JakeChapmanOM) October 14, 2014
The setback to Meeks comes just after the news of Caldwell-Pope expected to miss at least three preseason games due to a left knee injury he suffered last Sunday against the Washington Wizards.
Head coach Stan Van Gundy will now have to look toward his bench to find a possible replacement at shooting guard until Caldwell-Pope and Meeks get back to full strength sometime in the near future.
Point guard D.J. Augustin could get time at the two if Van Gundy wants to implement a starting lineup that features both him and Brandon Jennings, who also plays the one, in the back court.
Will Bynum, who was said to have fallen behind in training camp, could also acquire the starting role for the time being if Van Gundy feels he has caught up to speed.
Other possible replacements include Kyle Singler and Spencer Dinwiddie, once he’s cleared for full activity by the medical staff.
Detroit acquired Meeks at a time when he was red hot from the floor with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. Starting in 70 games, the 27-year old averaged career highs in shooting (15.7), rebounds (2.5), assists (1.8) and steals (1.4).
He also had career-high’s last year in field goal percentage (46.3) and three point percentage (40.1).
“It’s a big loss,” Van Gundy said (via Detroit News). “Coming out of camp and through the first preseason game against a good defensive game, I came out feeling good with that position over the first eight, nine days. Obviously we’ll be a little thin there to begin the season.”