Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Knicks Beat Lakers With Familiar Strategy

Jonas Jerebko: Small Forward or Power Forward?

I've thought about this more than someone with a life would (approximately ten minutes) and I've settled on this:

Offensively, Jonas Jerebko is better suited to be a Power Forward.  As a Small Forward, he's not a good enough ball handler to be able to get to the rim.  He has a fairly decent outside shot, but his release is very slow and I can't see him getting shots off against most SFs.  His post game is not good enough to take advantage of his size.  As a Power Forward, he's shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket.  His outside shot can stretch the defense and he has more time to get it off.  Also, his quickness makes him a dangerous offensive rebounder.

Defensively, he's probably better suited to play the three.  He can handle himself against some Power Forwards but he does need more strength.  Against Small Forwards, he reminds me of Trevor Ariza defensively:  long, athletic, and a phenomenal rebounder at that position.

I really like the idea of Austin Daye and Jerebko playing together with Daye being the "three" and Jerebko the "four."  It's unconventional, but both of them could provide some real matchup problems.

FanPosts are user-created posts from the Detroit Bad Boys community and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all fans or the staff at DBB. The DBB staff reserves the right at any time to edit the contents of FanPosts as they reasonably see fit.

Comment 75 comments  |  3 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

Battier for three!

Great post, QD. I agree. It’s a tradeoff right now. I’d like to see him at SF long term, but that’s just me. For that position, he’s sufficiently long and strong, just has to penetrate better.

by Birdman84 on Feb 23, 2010 2:19 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

I don’t think he will be labeled as either, I think he will definitely spend most of his career switching between the two positions.

And to be honest, I don’t find that being a bad thing. We can move him around when we need to and he seems to be comfortable playing both positions.

One guy I hope finds a permanent position (if he gets playing time), Austin Daye. He’s another guy who’s being moved around but with his height and length he could play at the 4 if he picked up his weight.

by DBB Diablo on Feb 23, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions  

I think

both Daye and Jerebko should hit the weight room in the summer. Jerebko could be a better interior defender if he bulks up. The only issue is whether any extra weight would affect his quickness on the offensive end.

Check out Detroit4Lyfe

by handsomerob1 on Feb 23, 2010 2:46 PM EST up reply actions  

Jerebko could put some weight on

and really benefit.

The “Dayeshaun” comparison gets made quite a bit- but I think he’ll look like Prince for good.

"I didn’t even know Elvis was from Memphis, I thought he was from Tennessee." — Drew Gooden.

by Skylar on Feb 23, 2010 5:11 PM EST up reply actions  

i read somewhere that jj and daye hit the gym with big ben alot already.

by Band Aid on Feb 27, 2010 8:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Daye must be doing cardio only

"I didn’t even know Elvis was from Memphis, I thought he was from Tennessee." — Drew Gooden.

by Skylar on Feb 27, 2010 8:16 PM EST up reply actions  

“he’s sufficiently long and strong, just has to penetrate better.”

snicker.

by Big Z in Orlando on Feb 23, 2010 3:09 PM EST up reply actions  

He's both/neither

QD, you’ve got it nailed. He’s got pieces of both, but doesn’t fit into either position perfectly. IME, he’s more valuable because he can play either depending on the matchup.

by Big Z in Orlando on Feb 23, 2010 3:10 PM EST reply actions  

Old Mother Dumars Lived in a Shoe

Dumars had so many tweeners, he didn’t know what to do!

Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.

by sauce1977 on Feb 23, 2010 4:02 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

So he signed a small guard,
Joe’s weeny got hard,
Our forward is hairless,
And now we’re embarrassed.

/mothergoos’d

by The Joel on Feb 23, 2010 5:34 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Why Aminu?

If anything Dumars is more likely to draft Jan Vesely or Donatas Montiejunas (sp?).

by Quick Darshan on Feb 23, 2010 9:58 PM EST up reply actions  

because he’s long, really strokes it, long and smooth.

Aminu, here we come!!11

by Mike Payne on Feb 23, 2010 10:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Any narcolepsy in his family history, though?

by Birdman84 on Feb 24, 2010 7:18 AM EST up reply actions  

maybe i can dream but he could develop into someone like rashard lewis, JJ is like 6’8.5", good size for SF, little undersized for PF but great shooting ability, lewis used to play SF in seattle i think and now doing good at PF position, hey if JJ can develop better ball handling skills he can become that match up problem for other teams in the future.

by bags fly free on Feb 23, 2010 6:05 PM EST reply actions  

I don’t see the Lewis comparisons. The only similarity is that they are both very tall for their position. Jonas is a better defender, not to mention a far superior rebounder where as Lewis has the far more perfected offensive game not to mention is much more explosive.

by bearded thundar on Feb 23, 2010 7:21 PM EST up reply actions  

I think

the comparison was more from a size standpoint. Lewis plays the 4 quite a bit in Orlando, but that’s because they have Dwight Howard at the 5 and can afford to do so. If Jerebko plays the 4 and Big Ben is at the 5, the Pistons are undersized.

Check out Detroit4Lyfe

by handsomerob1 on Feb 23, 2010 8:00 PM EST up reply actions  

jerebko/daye

i want both these guys on the floor at the same time but what we need to make this happen is a solid center. Weight room all summer will help but i’d like the line-up a lot more with a strong big to anchor…

Bas Rutten: He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Stephen Quadros: Yes, well many of the fighters
have a black belt.
Bas Rutten: Yes, but in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu you cant
buy your belt like in say, Tae Kwon Do.
Stephen Quadros: Do you have any belts?
Bas Rutten: I have a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.

by DrewMoney$$$ on Feb 23, 2010 6:46 PM EST reply actions  

Shouldn't the title of this post have been

Jonas Jerebko: Awesome rookie, or most awesome rookie EVER?

by Toledo Joe on Feb 23, 2010 7:17 PM EST reply actions  

QD is not inclined to overstate his case.

by -PS- on Feb 23, 2010 7:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Awesomest rookie EVER

"I didn’t even know Elvis was from Memphis, I thought he was from Tennessee." — Drew Gooden.

by Skylar on Feb 23, 2010 7:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Thanks for your thoughts, QD.

I basically agree with your perceptions of Jerebko’s strengths and weaknesses on offense and defense, and in response I’d like to ask a question.

You wrote that you want to see Daye and Jerebko playing together as a pair of combo/tweener forwards. Given the way this season has played out, there’s a good chance that Daye and Jerebko will do just that, as full-time starters once Prince has been moved (during the off-season, or before next year’s trading deadline). Won’t the Pistons need a lot of scoring from the center position, if Daye and Jerebko are the starting forwards? Big Ben is not a scorer, and neither are his backups (Maxiell and Wilcox). Who should the Pistons target in the draft and in the off-season trade/free-agent market?

by -PS- on Feb 23, 2010 7:39 PM EST reply actions  

I think a frontcourt of Daye, Jerebko, and DeMarcus Cousins would work rather well.

by Birdman84 on Feb 23, 2010 8:22 PM EST up reply actions  

You may be right, though I’m not sure that Cousins would be the best defensive center for a frontcourt with Daye and Jerebko. I’d like to hear bearded thunder’s thoughts on this.

by -PS- on Feb 23, 2010 8:50 PM EST up reply actions  

I think Jerebko is capable of scoring from the PF position. And I really like Daye’s offensive game. He can shoot the 3, put the ball on the floor and pull up. He can post (when he gets stronger). I’m not worried about offense from them.

I also like the combination of Jerebko’s quickness and Daye’s length defensively.

Regardless, a great center is always a must.

by Quick Darshan on Feb 23, 2010 10:01 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Daye's offense is his main skill.

He’s got Dirk-esque tools. IMO, if he were getting the same PT as say Tyreke or Curry, he’d be averaging around 20+ppg too. And he’s a very solid defensive rebounder.

by The Joel on Feb 24, 2010 11:09 AM EST up reply actions  

That's entirely true

Cousins biggest weakness is his lack of explosiveness. So while he is a monster offensive rebounder, he’s actually a pretty mediocre defensive rebounder and shotblocker. For defensive purposes, your best bet would be JJ (sf), Aldrich (pf), some other scoring center. Now you’ve got two very mobile bigs that are both good rebounders, Aldrich is a very efficient player on the offensive end and a shot blocker, and so you’ve got a lot more room to place a less athletic scoring center.

by bearded thundar on Feb 24, 2010 1:29 PM EST up reply actions  

How is a 7' white guy who blocks shots and rebounds well not immediately our center?

I can’t for the life of me imagine Aldrich as a PF. He’s played C his entire career. He’s got the size and skill set. He’s already pretty well built. I don’t know why we’d need to pair him next to another 7footer, especially since that 7footer would have to have range to compensate for Aldrich’s lack, and it seems to me like PF’s with range are MUCH easier to find…

by The Joel on Feb 24, 2010 3:30 PM EST up reply actions  

He doesn't have enough size imo

I see him much more in a Rasheed Wallace type role then Ben Wallace. Aldrich is mobile, but he doesn’t have enough size to guard legitimate centers or consistently get deep positioning in the NBA against guys such as Howard, Bynum, Perkins and Jefferson.

He would fit Sheed’s bill perfectly, being able to offer some post offense, being able to stretch the floor (outside shot isn’t great, but the mechanics are very fluid) and someone that understands defensive rotations to alter/block shots. Kinda like Kevin Love, amazing player, but not a center on a championship team.

by bearded thundar on Feb 24, 2010 4:49 PM EST up reply actions  

How many legitimate centers are in the NBA?

At least, how many are any good? Does Nazr/Diop/Thabeet/etc. count when they’re not any good at basketball? In the NBA that I watch, there’s Andew Bynum, Dwight Howard, the Corpse of Shaq, Oden + Pryz – 2 legs, and a whole lot of power forwards playing out of position. Sheed’s been a C (and effective until this year) for the past 4 years. Pau was and still is a fabulous C, although he plays PF now I guess…

The point is, if you’re 7t tall (check for Aldrich), have good bulk (also check), rebound well (check), block shots (double check), and don’t really have an offensive game outside the paint (check check check), isn’t that literally the definition of what the prototypical center is, has been, and will probably always be?

by The Joel on Feb 24, 2010 5:31 PM EST up reply actions  

And to add to that...

If the Lopez bros can be effective centers in the NBA, there is not a single reason to think Aldrich can’t too.

by The Joel on Feb 24, 2010 5:33 PM EST up reply actions  

To be fair

Brook (NJ) is much better than Robin (Phoenix).

Check out Detroit4Lyfe

by handsomerob1 on Feb 24, 2010 10:35 PM EST up reply actions  

The beauty of basketball is...

…that positions are meaningless for players like Jonas. If he can fit within a team’s playing personality, it does not matter if he’s play “the 3” or “the 4.” View Jonas’ situation, not from what his position is on paper, but from how he fits within a team’s offense and defense. Any self-respecting coach can make use of Jonas’ skillset, whether he’s listed as PF or SF.

I agree 100% with your analysis. Although, Jonas has been getting to the rim more frequently. Methinks he’s getting real comfortable in da NBA.

by MwestBaller on Feb 23, 2010 7:46 PM EST reply actions  

Nice Post QD!

I prefer him at SF “full time” and PF “part time.” I agree wholeheatedly with QD’s assessment of where he’s at right now — he’s a tweener.

However, I do think that it’s more likely that he’ll improve at the SF skills than he will at the PF skills. I think we’ve all seen him grow immensely in those capacities already this season. His shot has improved, as has his ability to get to the rim even if it’s very unorthodox.

Over the long term, I just don’t see him competing in the paint against a lot of PF’s in this league. I think situationally, he could be a quality PF. He’s definitely a good enough rebounder, and his quickness and outside shooting could cause match up problems.

by brgulker on Feb 23, 2010 8:32 PM EST reply actions  

A lot of talk about Jerebko's needing to hit the weight room to play the 4

but he’s pretty much the same size as Josh Smith. I don’t think it has as much to do with size as it does his skill set. He’s not a natural wing player since he’s doesn’t have a strong perimeter offense. His lack of shot blocking and meager defensive rebounding cause problems on the defensive side at the 4. I’m concerned that the case with Jerebko isn’t so much a beneficial versatility, but a negative in not having a natural position in the way the game is currently played.

This likely won’t manifest roster problems if it is managed properly. Jerebko can work well at the 3 when paired with Gordon at the 2. He can work well at the 4 on offense, but may have issues on D when not paired with Wallace (or other shot blocking, D-reb player at the 5).

Jerebko’s skill set may be a positive in “versatility” as a sixth man. It could be a negative as “stuck between positions” if he starts at either the 3 or the 4, depending on who he is paired with.

Aminu, here we come!!11

by Mike Payne on Feb 23, 2010 8:47 PM EST reply actions  

MP, I commented above <http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2010/2/23/1323122/jonas-jerebko-small-forward-or#31249709> that a lineup with Daye and Jerebko as paired combo forwards would require a center who could score proficiently. You’re claiming that Jerebko-as-PF would require a game-changing defensive center as well. If we’re both right (I don’t know why two elite-level basketball analysts wouldn’t be!) then I am doubtful that the Pistons can be successful in the long term with Jerebko at the 4. Dwight Howard isn’t available, last I checked, and I’m not entirely sure that Detroit can obtain his equivalent in the draft. Derrick Favors? Larry Sanders—who some DBBers think will become the next Ben Wallace?

by -PS- on Feb 23, 2010 9:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Huh, I must have overlooked that, but of course— I agree with your sentiment. :)

I’m not sure who to pair him with as far as the draft is concerned, and a pairing with Wallace does leave a bit to be desired in the scoring department (although I do wish Kuester would run more offensive plays for Jerebko, that alone could solve some of those problems).

Aminu, here we come!!11

by Mike Payne on Feb 23, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m sorry, but any rotation that can’t find regular minutes for Jonas Jerebko is either ridiculously stacked or horribly mismanaged.

The kid can play, and he’s way more win than lose.

by brgulker on Feb 23, 2010 9:09 PM EST reply actions  

I want to see more Jerebko too, but certain lineups might be better-suited for his particular attributes.

by -PS- on Feb 23, 2010 9:13 PM EST up reply actions  

JJ, IME, is getting plenty of time, which is all earned. But TBH, a few of the above comments almost make it sound like his limitations are going to doom him to a limited reserve role that’s only effective if his deficiencies are appropriately covered.

I think there’s a lot of truth in that, to a point, but to me, there are very few teams in the league that wouldn’t want a rotation player like JJ. Not necessarily a starter, not necessarily a 30 mpg guy, but definitely room in the rotation.

by brgulker on Feb 23, 2010 9:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Well, I agree with you. Nobody loves Jonas Jerebko more than me! IME, he is the greatest basketball player (and best boyfriend) in the history of civilization.

Jerebko is doing amazing things as a rookie starter, and on a better Pistons team (or another NBA team) he would still qualify as a rotation player. I simply wrote that if he’s going to continue to start, or play heavy minutes, he’ll need alongside him a set of player-types that are not currently on the Pistons roster. Otherwise, he can still succeed as a sixth/seventh/eighth man. MFMP would say the same, I assume.

by -PS- on Feb 23, 2010 9:26 PM EST up reply actions  

I think Bynum

suits Jerebko’s playing style well, but that’s about as far as it goes. Definitely none of the current bigs.

Check out Detroit4Lyfe

by handsomerob1 on Feb 23, 2010 9:28 PM EST up reply actions  

a few of the above comments almost make it sound like his limitations are going to doom him to a limited reserve role that’s only effective if his deficiencies are appropriately covered.

I think you’re overstating it quite a bit.

Aminu, here we come!!11

by Mike Payne on Feb 23, 2010 9:26 PM EST up reply actions  

What's good for Jerebko is what's good for the Pistons.

Defensive rebounding, shot blocking, and scoring from the 5. Three-point shooting from the guards.

by -PS- on Feb 23, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions  

MP is right

I’m overreacting. I have a soft spot for that Swede.

by brgulker on Feb 23, 2010 10:34 PM EST up reply actions  

At this point I'd just call the Swede a Forward.

No reason to worry about whether he is a 3 or a 4 just yet. He seems comfortable playing at the 4 but he has the athleticism and shooting range to play on the perimeter as well. Personally I like him as a PF because of his ability to score in the paint and grab offensive rebounds, though he may need to bulk up a little for defensive purposes. Not too much though, he needs to keep that quickness.

I'm just like a sports reporter, but without the insight or money.

by SadPanda1 on Feb 23, 2010 9:32 PM EST reply actions  

Better At The 3

Which is where he’ll probably be playing next year, hopefully alongside DLee. He will get stronger, and his outside game is developing. He’s done very well for himself this year, and he’s hardly a finished product, even spotting him the years played in the Italian league.

by V. on Feb 24, 2010 12:34 AM EST reply actions  

3 or 4 either way

Jonas Jerebko has a lot of skills that could make him an excellent 3 or 4. He can shoot like a 3 and his quickness and length allows him to guard perimeter players. As a four he can hang with some of the smaller bigs and fight for rebounds. At this point I think you let him play either position depending on the matchup. He’s an excellent defender at both spots and we need to keep on finding him minutes whenever we can.

by cptmorgan19 on Feb 24, 2010 3:14 AM EST reply actions  

Small forward? Power forward?

More like… AWESOME Forward!

I'm just like a sports reporter, but without the insight or money.

by SadPanda1 on Feb 24, 2010 7:18 PM EST reply actions  

Super Forward

"I didn’t even know Elvis was from Memphis, I thought he was from Tennessee." — Drew Gooden.

by Skylar on Feb 24, 2010 9:05 PM EST reply actions  

What about his ego?

Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.

by The Boourns on Feb 26, 2010 2:24 PM EST up reply actions  

His wage?

Compared to other players, not normal working stiffs.

by rooneymac on Feb 28, 2010 8:47 AM EST up reply actions  

anyone else catch in the latest Langlois article?

he says Stuck was coaching up JJ before he passed out, and that Jerebko has become one of Stuckey’s best friends on the team. There’s some chemistry for you

by the89oracle on Mar 7, 2010 1:19 PM EST reply actions  

Love those cats.

Thanks for enduring the pain that is Keith Langois to just impart that little morsel of wonderfulness for us to read, 89orkle

"I didn’t even know Elvis was from Memphis, I thought he was from Tennessee." — Drew Gooden.

by Skylar on Mar 7, 2010 1:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

A Detroit Pistons blog with completely fair and unbiased opinions of 29 of the Association's 30 teams. Read up and share what's on your mind.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

2ur2zk7_small
5-Game Win Streaks? BRING THEM TO ME
Swedish_chef_small
Draft Day Dreams: Scott Machado
Largelogo_gurk_small
Off Topic Thread, Week of 1/30/12: Tech Geek Edition

Recent FanPosts

Tressel-nothing-fishy_thumb_small
Stop Winning Now...
Small
The Draft Dream of Anthony Davis fades
Small
Let's make a trade
Darko_milicic_small
ESPN Lottery Machine is Here!
Swedish_chef_small
The Pistons visit the City of Brotherly Love
Draft_100625_013_small
Blame Joe Dumars
Largelogo_gurk_small
Off Topic Thread, Week of 1/23/12: Your Pet Team Edition

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

Been there!
I'm Totally Famous

Recent FanShots

if ur interested in drafting Blocks and Dunks, SATURDAY is a big day
All-Star Reserves Announced, Minus Greg Monroe
NBA Rookie Rankings V
Scott Machado: A Point Guard With Vision, Even if He Needs Glasses
Pistons' forward Jason Maxiell eats less, plays more
STEP AWAY FROM THE MOOSE
Brandon Knight gets acquainted with his new mask.
Where is Canada’s most romantic city?
Chauncey Billups likely tears achilles
Ben Wallace: Pistons Don't Have & Must Get Elite Defender

+ New FanShot All FanShots >


Managers

Screen_shot_2012-01-22_at_2 Packey

Mattw-h_small Matt Watson

Featured Contributor

Largelogo_gurk_small brgulker