Please know that I acknowledge there is more to setting up a roster than just stats. This is even more true if only looking at one stat as compared to a collection of stats. We've talked much this season about who should be in the rotation, starting lineup, etc. There's even been talk about shortening up the rotation. I'm all for shortening up the rotation to 8 players, but for this post, I'll shorten it to 9. What I'd like to do is take a look at some stats and see what our rotation would be like if we used just one stat at a time. Also, please note, that I know for some players the stats are lighter than others due to less burn, but since this isn't ever really going to happen, why not treat it all equally...like Fantasy Stats? I'll compare Per 36 stats (P36) as often as possible.

Points (PG vs. P36)

Obviously, this stat is a collection of multiple stats: FGA/M, FTA/M and 3PA/M. If we were to set our rotation to 9 players on who had the highest points PG/P36, it would look like:

If I had to choose between the PG lineup or the P36 lineup, I'd have to go with the PG lineup. Part of that is simply, well everyone can't play 36 minutes per game. But also, because of how light some stats are (Daye's and Villanueva's in particular), they aren't likely to put up those numbers right now. Villanueva is starting to try and make a case that he can, and he may (we can only hope for trade purposes), but we'll see how he continues.

Rebounds (PG vs. P36)

Well, this stat doesn't contribute to offense per se, and it is highly dependent upon the other team, and yours, missing shots, but it is a very valuable stat as we've seen this year.

Again, if I had to choose between the too, I'd likely go with the PG lineup. The only difference in the two lineups is Rodney Stuckey and Austin Daye. To me, Stuckey, though shorter, would be more likely to hustle down a rebound. But, I'll admit, I could be blinded by my dislike for Daye.

Assists (PG vs. P36)

Mostly a stat reserved for point guards and moosey type players. However, EVERYONE should be able to make an assist.

If there was any stat that I'd look at indifferent to how much time a player can play, it might be this one. With that being the case though, I'd still rather take the PG lineup as I think Singler is getting more comfortable with his teammates and Middleton's stat is highly inflated. Otherwise, it's the same lineup.

Steals (PG vs. P36)

While I like this stat because it creates more possessions, I do not put much weight in this stat really.

For this stat, I'd actually probably go with the P36 lineup. Notice how our three best PG steals leaders are 6'10" and above and our two at the end are our guards? And notice how those two guards are not on the P36 list at all? But again, I don't put much weight on this stat.

Blocks (PG vs. P36)

I do put a lot of stock in this category. Now, I don't expect for the Pistons to find a player who can average better than 2 blocks per game.......wait. What? See below.

Yeah, add this as fuel to the fire to get Andre more burn. The only difference between these two lineups is Stuckey vs. Maggette, and in that instance, I'd likely go with Maggette for veteran leadership.

Turnovers (PG vs. P36)

Again, a very important stat. However, this will probably be weighed in a way that shows a horrible lineup believe it or not.

Let me start by saying I never want to see the Pistons with either of these lineups as their rotations, ever. Yes, Andre, Singler, English and Jerebko are good on the PG and all of them but Andre are on the P36 side, but that's it. But if I had to choose........I'd go PG since it's between Andre/Bynum and Stuckey/Maxiell. Andre out does anything Bynum f's up (and they had chemistry in the preseason) and Stuckey and Maxiell are mediocre players.

Personal Fouls (PG vs. P36)

I actually find this a very important stat. It can end up with a player getting a high quality shot, putting the team in the penalty or counting as a turnover.

First off let me say that my biggest surprise is that Prince averages less than 1 foul per game. Either he's that smart defensively, or he is so used to having Rasheed and Ben behind him that he lets his man blow past him and then finds out that this is 2012-13 and he's letting his player get an easy shot at the rim. I think it's the latter, seeing his defensive rating and all. But if I had to choose a lineup from this, I'd likely go with the P36 lineup.

Field Goal Percentage

While this stat encompasses 3P% as well, since there is no designation for 2P% (wish there was), we'll have to use this as it.

I'm not really seeing too much of a problem with this lineup. The way Stuckey has played some of the last few games, last night being a slight exception, I wouldn't mind substituting Daye for Stuckey and seeing what happens.

3-Point Percentage

I've always been a fan of the three point shot. It's also my favorite contest at the All-Star game. When I was younger, if the Pistons were losing, I'd calculate in my head how many 3's we needed to get back in the game, then hoped Terry Mills would just light it up. :)

Obviously, Andre's stat is bloated. But it would include him in the lineup, so I'll allow it. lol. I wouldn't mind this lineup too much, except for this would mean that our backup PFs would be Daye or Villanueva, and we know how we all feel about that.

Free Throw Percentage

To me, one of the most crucial stats in the game. They're free (unless you got hit hard, then you're paying for it) and they should be taken advantage of. They're easy to practice. You don't have to have someone with you to practice a free throw like you do a bumped layup drill, or a pick and pop, etc. This should be a focal point in free time practice.

Sadly, but as expected, Andre wouldn't be in this lineup. And honestly, these percentages concern me. Two guards shooting under 80%? I thought naturally guards were better at FT than other players. I think everyone needs to be in line right behind Andre at the free throw practice and get them in.

Plus Minus

I like this stat, I do, but I think it favors the bench more often than it favors the starters. At least in the Pistons' case it does. Our starters aren't all starter quality except for Moose and MAYBE Knight. Singler is also making a strong case, but on most teams he'd be coming off the bench.

Not really surprised by these numbers. Prince and Monroe have had a lot of burn and therefore aren't in the top 9. Daye, Middleton, English and Villanueva haven't had much burn and therefore are in the top 9. However, even with that being said, it is positive that Singler is a positive 6 and we have 5 other players within 20 points of being in the positive. And for your knowledge, the player with the lowest +/- is Stuckey at -93.

Ok, I'm not very familiar with the advanced stats, but they were there and sortable so I figured I'd include some.

True Shooting Percentage

I wasn't sure if people preferred TS% over eFG%, but this was the one I chose to go with.

I believe there is a lineup above that is this exact lineup, and I'd have no probelm with it per se. This actually seems like a very reliable stat and though Daye's stat is inflated, he is supposed to be a shooter and we can all hope he has his shot back, even if for trade purposes.

Offensive Rating

So this stat is supposed to be how many points the player contributes to for his team in 100 possessions. I'm not sure how I feel about this stat just yet.

This looks like an alright lineup. No Villanueva, no Stuckey, no Bynum. However, I think I would rather see Maggette in the lineup over Daye.

Defensive Rating

A very important stat if you ask me, but maybe that's because Detroit has always preached defense. Just like ORtg, this is supposed to be how many points the opposing team scores while that player is on the floor over 100 possessions.

I'm sorry, but it's really hard to stomach seeing Villanueva and Bynum on that list. I'm not surprised Stuckey and Knight aren't on that list, but Villanueva has a better defensive rating than 10 of our guys (Kravtsov isn't included in any stat category). That's a highly scary though.

Win Shares

Eh, I'm not really fond of this stat. But because I've heard people on here talking about it (more about Villanueva previously having a negative one), I thought I'd include i.

These were the only players with WS above 0.0. So.........

Win Shares per 48

Again, another stat I don't really care for.

I don't know if this is because we only have 4 wins, but this stat makes our team look pitiful. Ugh.

Player Efficiency Rating

You know, I tried looking up the calculation on how this is done, and I'm not sure if they put too much into it or not enough. It is one crazy formula.

They're fucking with me right? Villanueva has a higher PER than Singler? Really? I don't mind Middleton and Daye being up there, they've barely been used, but Villanueva. Now, I really like this stat even though I question the formula (more out of ignorance of the formula than how it's actually done), so I wouldn't mind seeing this lineup some.

Summary

Now, after looking at all of these stats, I think Knight, Singler, Monroe and even Prince are supposed to be our starters. And I think the stats more than confirm that Andre should be the starter as well. Is he ready to be? Eh, not sure yet. Might foul out some, might have some struggling night, etc. With these stats, I'm even comfortable with Maxiell being in the rotation. However, the three other players (for a 9 person rotation) aren't as easy for me to determine.

Villanueva is making a case now, but two games will not erase 3+ years for me. They just won't. Daye's stats are inflated due to limited burn, so I'm wary of that as well. Maggette, he's been up and down this year and he's on the tail end of his career. But, I will say that there are two people I'm willing to bench right now to allow development of younger/tradeable talent: Stuckey and Bynum. Maybe Stuckey needs a month off because he was in the gym too much this off season and he's worn himself thin. I don't know. But he needs to right something. Because of that, the three other people I'd be willing to put in the rotation would be English, Middleton and Jerebko (though he's struggling).

Now, this is without Kravtsov having played. I hope we can find a way to get him some burn sometime soon, but it really seems doubtful until a trade is made, hopefully one for a future pick. But depending on when Kravtsov gets into the lineup and how he performs, that could change the rotation drastically.

So, if you could choose only ONE stat to choose your ration, which one would you choose and why? This is all for fun. If any coach were to really due this, they should never coach any level of basketball ever again. But I like hypotheticals and I like analyzing stats, so have fun with it. :)