Shooting Guard Breakdown: Assessing Performance and Progress.

Today, we are continuing to grade the 2023-24 Detroit Pistons. After assessing Ownership, general manager, coach, and point guards, Today we focus on the shooting guards. The shooting guard position, in my evaluation, holds a wealth of untapped potential. If they can harness this potential, Jaden Ivey, Quentin Grimes, Stanley Umude, and Jared Rhoden can contribute to the team’s future success.

Before passing out grades, the reader must know I will not be grading Quentin Grimes and Jared Rhoden. This decision is because Grimes and Rhoden didn’t play the number of games I deemed eligible. Quentin Grimes played six games, while Rhoden played seventeen on his two-way contract. Alec Burks is another player who will get a grade but won’t be considered for the position’s overall grade. He played 42 games for the Pistons, but his trade to the Knicks means he is no longer a team member. Now, with that out the way, Let’s grade the shooting guard position of the 2023-24 Detroit Pistons.

Shooting Guard: Jaden Ivey

Jaden Ivey, the number 5 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, has had a rollercoaster ride in Detroit. He concluded his rookie season with an impressive average of 22.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists on 44/38/86% shooting. With such a strong finish and the arrival of Monty Williams, the anticipation was high for Ivey to ascend to the top-10 echelon of the shooting guard position. His journey, though marked by a series of highs and lows, has shown significant potential and areas of improvement, which should be a source of encouragement for the fans and analysts.

Pros

Ivey was the same player this season compared to last season. There were no substantial leaps and bounds from his game. Ivey saw an increase in his defensive win shares (0.8 to 1.0) and overall win shares this season (0.0 to 0.5). He also saw his effect on the game become more apparent with his -7.2 +/- on the court compared to the team’s -10.2 +/- off the court. Regarding the two-point shooting, Ivey increased his shooting percentage from 0-3 feet (65 to 58%) and 3-10 feet (41 to 33%). The Pistons offensive rating was 112.0 when Ivey was on the floor compared to their 108.3 off the floor.

Cons

Ivey was still prone to turning the ball over. His 190 turnover decreased from 237 in his rookie year, but he was still in the top 20 in that category. Regarding distance on his jumper, Ivey saw an 8% decrease from shots 10-16 feet (41 to 33%) and shots 16+ feet (42 to 38%). Another factor that concerned me with Ivey was his play with Cade Cunningham. When Cade didn’t play, Ivey averaged 18.9 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds. With Cade on the floor, Ivey averaged 14.2 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds. This is Cade Cunningham’s team; Ivey must improve his shooting more for this backcourt to succeed.

Grade: C+

Shooting Guard: Alec Burks (Traded to New York).

Of all the guards, I think that Alec Burks was the most consistent from game to game. In his 43 games with the Pistons, Burks averaged 12.6 points on 40% shooting from the three. No matter what you feel the Pistons could’ve got for him in the trade deadline, considering Burks struggles in New York, I think the Pistons made out a bit better than people expected initially. In his two seasons in Detroit, Burks averaged 12.7 points on 40% shooting. His numbers didn’t contribute to wins, but they were still good.

Pros

Like Ivey, The Pistons’ offensive rating was much better when Burks was on the court. The Pistons’ offensive rating was 112 when Burks was on the floor. When Burks wasn’t on the floor, the numbers dipped to 109.7 points. Of the 406 shots Burks took, 247 were three-pointers (60%), and he made 99 (40%).

Cons

Burks wasn’t the greatest of defenders. When he was on the floor, the Opponent’s offensive rating was 122.6 compared to 118.3 when he wasn’t on the floor. His 120.6 defensive rating was also among the team’s worst. Regarding assessing Burks this season, If you are a Pistons fan, you would’ve wanted to see defense in his 3&D potential. The Knicks are a much better defensive team when Burks isn’t on the floor than when he is (118.3 to 113.6 OPPS offensive rating).

Grade: C+

Shooting Guard: Evan Fournier

Evan Fournier is the ultimate professional. He remained the best teammate when he wasn’t getting the minutes in New York. When he was traded to Detroit, I saw this as an opportunity to play his way into a contract. After his first four games, where he averaged 11.5 points on 47% three-point shooting, Fournier averaged 6.5 points on 22% shooting the rest of the way.

Pros

Fournier is one of the good guys in the league. He comes to work every day, and whether his number is called or not, He goes out there and works. Known for his elite sharpshooting, Fournier made his mark inside the three-point line. On shots 0-3 feet, Fournier was 57%; with shots 3-10 feet, Fournier was 50%; and on 10-16 feet, Fournier was 63%.

Cons

Fournier shot over half his shots from the three (57%). When you look at that stat, you will think he has a good percentage of the three. Fournier shot 27% from the three, well below the 36% average in the league. The Pistons seemed to stagnate when Fournier was on the floor, with their 101 offensive ratings compared to their 111.9 ratings when he wasn’t on the floor. Defensively, Fournier struggled as well. Teams scored seven more points when Fournier was on the court (113 to 120). The hope of possibly bringing him back is all but extinct with his lackluster end to the season.

Grade: D

Shooting Guard: Stanley Umude

Stanley Umude played in 24 games for the Pistons, and in that short sample size, Umude showcased his potential as a sharpshooter. He understood his role on the court. Of the 84 shots he took, 53 were from the three-point line (63%). The sample size was small, but the potential is for Umude to be what they wanted from Evan Fournier.

Grade: C

Quentin Grimes

The key acquisition in the Bojan Bogdanovic trade, Grimes struggled. He shot 21% from the field and 14% from the three. He did have some potential on the defensive end with his 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks average per 36 minutes, but overall, Injuries derailed any assessment that could be given to him.

Grade: INC

Jared Rhoden

Rhoden was used primarily for spot duty back and forth between the Pistons and the Cruise. If the last two games indicate what type of pro-Rhoden can be, Pistons fans, you can be optimistic. In the previous two games of the season, Rhoden averaged 13.5 points on 64% shooting and 55% from the three.

Grade: INC

In Conclusion.

The potential is there; the summer will be vital for these guys to work on their game. With a new president coming in to oversee basketball operations in Detroit, these guys mustn’t make themselves expendable. Jaden Ivey has the potential to be something special with his speed and fearlessness. If he can develop that three-pointer and be a catch-and-shoot guy for Cade, His potential can be reached.

Quentin Grimes has the tools to be a very effective two-way player off the bench. I wouldn’t lean too heavily on the sample size he showed cause he was hurt. Rhoden & Umude’s potential as a three-point shooter is apparent in their small sample size. Continued development with the Motor City Cruise is going to be necessary. Evan Fournier had a chance to show that he is still a player in this league but didn’t take advantage of it.

Overall Grade: C-