if we can get Stuckey to pass the ball back out when he drives to the hoop his whole game would open up. Guys wouldn’t be able to collapse in on him as much. His shots would open up and his assist numbers would go up.

Now to be honest, if this type of performance keeps up, a benching might be necessary. Maybe that would get the point across.

are a byproduct of the players surrounding him. With Wallace and Jerebko playing the minutes they are, I wouldn’t expect high assist numbers. Neither is an offensive threat. That actually helps the defense collapse on him when he drives. And as madpoopz mentioned, he really needs to stop over committing on his drives. Stop and pop, or kick it out … but again, there’s only 2 other offensive minded players on the court with him in most circumstances. Unfortunately, we lack any real interior post game. There is no big man for him to throw into. On this team, especially with the current injuries, points don’t come easy.

Once Rip and Tay come back into the mix, they should almost instantly allow his assist numbers to increase by 2 …. probably more … but just a 2 assist increase, puts him into the top 10 PG’s for that stat. Currently we’re a mess on offense. Spacing is terrible, and our tempo will also pickup allowing for more offensive plays . I think we’re once again, near the bottom of the list in terms of ‘pace of game’ and number of offensive possessions. Let us get some of our main weapons back, and see how things pan out.

Stuckey may not be that ideal prototypical PG, but neither is he a SG. He’s simply a very good combo guard … one who in my opinion better projects as a PG.

And let’s not forget that this is his 3rd year. His 2nd as a starter. Do not discount though how much of a negative impact last season was for his development. Curry as a HC and the insertion of AI, did nothing to help him. It probably set him back a bit. He commented about how lost and confused he was after last season with all that occurred.

He’s working on his jump shooting. It was never a large part of his game, but he’s getting better. His percentages are off last years pace, but he’s also forcing things more without Rip and Tay, and he’s taking more shots. But he’s also getting the line more, and hitting at a higher%. Better than top 9 amongst all PG’s in FT’s per game, FT’s made and overall FT%. He only trails Jason Kidd in rebounding for PG’s. Also amongst PG’s he’s # 8 in points scored and he’s top 6 in steals.

He does alot of things well. And I think that’s often forgotten. It’s easy to bitch about missed shots and poor decisions. But we also did that when Chauncey was here. Give the kid some time. Surround him with players that allow for him to be better and make less mistakes. He’s not my favorite player, nor do I envision All Star potential from him, but he currently is , and definitely will be, better than some make him out to be.

Here’s where I got my numbers, if anyone’s interested: http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=lUusO

There are plenty of concerns with Stuckey, as well as plenty of reasons to be optimistic about his potential.

But here are my three biggest:
1) Shot volume. For his short career, he is already averaging more shot attempts per 36 than CB. That’s baffling. A young upshoot shooting more than a proven all star? A related number — he’s taking fewer FT’s per 36 as well, and all the kid does is dribble drive the basket.

2) Shooting percentage. You mentioned the raw FG% numbers, but take a peek at the TS% (which takes 3 point and FT’s into consideration). Stuckey’s nowhere close to CB in this regard. But more frustrating is that he doesn’t seem to be making any strides! He hasn’t developed a reliable pull-up jumper or any type of floater in the lane. He gets the ball, puts his head down, and bulls his way to the basket almost every time he touches the ball. He’s one-dimensional and easy to guard as a result.

3) Assists. Yes, he’s trying to cut meat with butter knives given our injuries. But his assist totals and assist% are simply too low for a PG.

So is he a SG? No, because he’s not a good shooter. Is he a PG? No, because he doesn’t have a sense for distributing the ball. Is he a combo-guard? Well, no because he simply doesn’t bring the strengths of either guard position to the table — at least not yet. Here’s hoping that develops with time.

To your main point, Stuckey, I would propose that the primary reasons that his inside shooting % is so low is because most of those shots are contested by multiple defenders. Everyone on the opposing team knows what’s coming, so the defense simply collapses. His “layups” actually end up being more difficult than his jumpers are a result.

The stats are worrying. He’s still young, though. Let’s not write him off.

“But I don’t like TS% in this case because a) Stuckey doesn’t shoot the three nearly as much as Billups b) You can see the discrepancy in FT% by looking at FT%. That leaves raw FG% which is pretty cut & dry, make & attempts.”

Maybe a better comprehensive statistic would be points per shot?

I hear your point, absolutely. I tend to like TS% because it is an attempt to capture why guys like Billups can be very effective scorers, even when their career overall FG% isn’t that great — because it factors in 3’s and FTs. By contrast, TS% also demonstrates, at least IMO, how poor Stuckey’s shooting really is precisely because he doesn’t have a three point shot.

That said, I hear what you’re saying, and I don’t disagree at all. Just some nuances. Good post, thanks for the convo!

….will be fine…..His defense has been amazing this year….yes hes struggling with his shot but its early in the season……I repeat his d has been amazing!!!!…..e drives the lane and drwas fouls…..Someone has to do that….he is still learning the point position and that will take time…..Did I mention his D is amazing this year!!!….Once again I repeat he will be fine…..He is a talent and will be fine….Hes alos playing amazing defense this year!!!!……GO PISTONS!!!!

He plays good enough D to guard SGs, so just let him be what he is a SG. Bynum should start at PG. Ben Gordon seems to have a better niche for setting up his teamates so I’d rather see him start at PG than Stuckey.

I’m going to make my decision about Stuckey when he’s had an extended amount of time playing with a healthy (or a close to healthy) Rip and/or Tay. When he has the team he’s supposed to be developing with at full strength. I feel he may be overcompensating for their absence. While it would have been a good sign for him to step up and pick up a weaker team, given the setback of last season. Until I see him get some extended playing time with an actual team, I’m holding my judgement.

maybe Ben Gordon coming in has stuckey a lil shaken up. Stuckey was pretty solid last year and maybe the fact that Ben Gordon could be a lil shot happy could be effecting the way stuckey is playing.