The Detroit Pistons have one of the deepest teams in the NBA. When they are fully healthy, head coach JB Bickerstaff has to make some tough calls about the rotation.
The season opener was one of those nights. Other than Taurean Prince, the Pistons had everyone available. This means that not every deserving player will be in the rotation.
Against the Celtics, Bickerstaff deployed an 11-man rotation. Rookie Ebuka Okorie was not one of those 11. But this could change soon, given how the game went.
Struggling Pistons reserves could give Ebuka Okorie a chance to shine
It's hardly surprising that a 19-year-old rookie point guard didn't play on opening night for a title contender. Even after a solid preseason where he showed a ton of flashes, Okorie faces an uphill battle in the crowded backcourt.
Unless a few of the veterans ahead of him in the pecking order start to play better, however, Okorie may find himself earning regular minutes sooner rather than later.
Isaiah Joe, Kevin Huerter, and Daniss Jenkins all played between 15 and 20 minutes off the bench against Boston. They were a combined 4/16 from the field for 14 points. Huerter was 1/4 from three, and Joe was 2/7. But at least Joe and Jenkins had a decent showing on the defensive end. Huerter suffered on that end of the floor.
Ron Holland also struggled. Bickerstaff pulled him from the game less than three minutes into his stint after he made a couple of bad mistakes.
Detroit's rotation may be fluid. Bickerstaff's decision on Holland suggests that he isn't afraid to make bold calls depending on the game flow. Okorie could easily carve out a role for himself in these circumstances.
It's not like Huerter or Jenkins have a guaranteed spot in the rotation. Huerter would be the easiest player to replace, as he has been far from convincing ever since arriving in Detroit at last year's trade deadline. He is supposed to be a shooter, but he hasn't been making shots for the Pistons. If that continues, it will be hard to justify having him out there given his defensive shortcomings.
Okorie isn't going to be an upgrade defensively or in terms of shooting, but he could give the Pistons more shot creation. He is a good ball-handler and playmaker. He is a relentless attacker and can put a lot of pressure on the rim. The Pistons could certainly use more offensive juice, and Okorie has that.
It's understandable that Bickerstaff is going with the veterans early in the season. If the veterans aren't performing, however, he will have no choice but to replace them with players lower on the pecking order. Okorie should be the next man up.
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