Ben Gordon to play some point guard?

by Packey on Aug 23, 2009 11:41 AM CDT in News Comment 19 comments

Via Rumors in the NBA section on ESPN.com:

The Detroit Pistons had been seeking to add a third point guard to the roster by the time the regular seasons opens October 28, but may have an in-house answer, reports the Detroit Free Press.

Off guard Ben Gordon says he can create for his teammates, if that's what is asked of him."In Chicago, scoring was what I was asked to do," Gordon told Dime Magazine. "But I can do a lot more -- I can make treys, I can pass, I can create. There's a lot to my game that people haven't seen, or seen enough of. I think in Detroit, I'll be able to do more than just score."

Gordon could share some lead guard duties with starter Rodney Stuckey and primary backup Will Bynum.

What concerns me is that Ben Gordon did not display the greatest handles while he was in Chicago. I didn't see it of the Bulls games I witnessed and I have friends who are Bulls fans (yeah, I have friends and unfortunately for them, they are Bulls fans), who tell me he's good for a few "dribbles off his foot," or turnovers, as a result of his ball handling skills. Obviously, there is more to being a point guard, but it starts with being able to protect the ball.

It's not ideal, but I think it's definitely possible. It's not completely unheard of to change a very athletic shooting guard into a point guard over the offseason. In fact, I saw it happen at Davidson College with Stephen Curry between his sophomore and junior seasons. In this case, the Pistons wouldn't be turning Gordon into a point guard, by all means, but merely having him learn to carry the rock when Stuckey and Bynum need a breather.

What are your thoughts?

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I do Think.....

….He can handle playing some point for a few minutes a game if needed……he can at least spell a guy for 4 5 mins.

by BennieBladesFan on Aug 23, 2009 11:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sure

For 5-6 minutes there’s not alot of damage he can do. And he can play the point, but we might see Tay play the point-forward role and he’ll set up his teammates, rather than Gordon.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Aug 23, 2009 1:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

IM just saying no need......

…..to sign a 3rd point guard……Weve got Gordon who can play it and also tay like you said.

by BennieBladesFan on Aug 23, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ik I was agreeing with you

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Aug 23, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok.....My Bad

by BennieBladesFan on Aug 23, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gordon's handles are actually pretty good.

I have seen Gordon go to the hole enough times and finish without skipping a beat. He can crossover and once in a while has a turnover.

2.1-2.4 turnovers a game for a guy that scores 20pts a games isn’t bad.

Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!

by VikesPma on Aug 23, 2009 3:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I would NOT trust this guy

as a PG. He might be able to get 4 APG, but I wouldn’t trust his decision making.

by Stacey_Is_King on Aug 23, 2009 8:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and

“yeah, I have friends and unfortunately for them, they are Bulls fans”

What’s that supposed to mean? O_O

by Stacey_Is_King on Aug 23, 2009 8:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Meant nothing by it

Just teasing

Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog

by Packey on Aug 23, 2009 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gordon is a good spot PG.

I mean, hell, look at his 82games.com PER – it’s like a 26. [Note: this actually means nothing.]
More than that, though, he can shoot, and while he does make some horrific turnovers, he doesn’t really get the ball stolen from him usually – it’s just because he dribbled it off his foot or something.
He can make passes that make you go ‘wow’, too. Not sure how good he is with the not-home-run pass … that’s probably what he’ll be working on. Hard to switch your mindset so fast, though.
Should be fun to see, either way. :D

I support the Tornado Release [See: Joakim Noah]

by Prevenge on Aug 23, 2009 11:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I appreciate the Bulls fans weighing in on this

They have seen Ben Gordon in action a whole lot more than any of us have, so I would consider what they have to say the expert testimony. As I said, it’s not an unheard of transition and I think Gordon is more than talented enough to do it. As Bennie and detpistons3 mentioned above, it’ll be limited minutes probably.

Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog

by Packey on Aug 23, 2009 11:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

True

If he was starting at PG, I would have a problem, but for spot minutes there’s nothing wrong with that.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Aug 24, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I had my choice...

…between Rip and Ben handling the ball when the two of them are on the court at the same time, I would take Ben. However, that’s only because I still think Rip’s one of the games all time greatest shooters off screens. To me they have equivalent ball handling skills…meaning its not like they’ve never dribbled a basketball before, but their primary roles have never required them to fill this particular role. I agree with detpistons3 though, my guess is that when Rip and Ben are on the floor it will likely be Tay that’s setting up the offense.

by Mushy on Aug 24, 2009 12:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Tay setting up the offense

There’s a snoozer.

Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!

by VikesPma on Aug 24, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah...

…but it beats the “excitement” of watching Rip or Gordon “push it” up court only to knee the ball out of bounds or send the ball flying into the stands while the intended recipient cuts in the opposite direction.
Make no mistake, it won’t be flashy but if Gordon, Rip, Tay, CV31 and Kwame “Stone Hands” Brown are all on the court at the same time I will take my chances with Tay all-day-every-day.

by Mushy on Aug 24, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I'd prefer Tayshaun

mainly so Rip and Gordon can do what they do best: get open for a shot. Although, Gordon is much better at creating his own shot than Rip.

Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog

by Packey on Aug 24, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A Viking fan and a Detroit fan?

It’s almost like a jewish german. I know the Lions are terrible, but why follow the Vikes?

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Aug 24, 2009 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Handling the Rock

If Ben Gordon has ball control issues, isn’t there a better alternative?

by The Detroit Sports Question on Aug 26, 2009 6:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Does it matter?

He can obviously handle the ball adequately if he can drive the lane. If Gordon was starting at point, this would be a big issue, but for 5 minutes does it even matter? I can say Deron Washington can’t shoot a 3, but if he only comes in for 5 minutes are we going to be looking for an alternative?

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Aug 27, 2009 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs