Mitch Lawrence reports in today’s New York Daily News that the Pistons may be shopping for a new backup point guard.
Even after rolling off 37 wins in their first 42 games, the fourth-best start in league history, the Pistons still feel they have a weakness. They’ve had internal discussions about getting a veteran backup point guard to spell Chauncey Billups for 10-12 minutes per night. They don’t feel their current backup, Carlos Arroyo, gets everybody involved enough.
I have no doubt that we can win a championship with Carlos Arroyo as our primary backup, so if we don’t make a move, I won’t be disappointed. His play is a little uneven at times, but he generally avoids turnovers, I think at least part of the reason people have been critical of him this year is because the guy he’s playing behind is having an MVP-caliber season.
I’ll have to disagree Matt. CA does not seem to have a grasp on Flip’s offense and tends to get stuck in a two man game, or force the action creating his own offense.
It’s not CA is not a good PG, but this system favours Shooting PGs and quick decision makers, neither of which Arroyo is.
I have to agree and disagree with you both.
I agree that we are capable of winning the championship even with Arroyo as our backup point. Prince and Hunter can help us there. He is playing as well as anyone with the minutes he is having. But he does tend to overdribble despite him trying to avoid turnovers. He is a good create-offense type point, IMO.
I disagree that CA does not have a grasp of Flip’s offense. He does, he just doesn’t have the time to show us all. I think too that he is a fairly quick decision maker as well. As quick as anybody that can be had out there.
So I’m saying, it ain’t broke….yet.
Defensive Liability
Although Carlos brings great court awareness and passing ability to the Pistons when Chauncey leaves the floor to take a breather, there are a couple other items that require his attention.
- inability to finish drives to the rim
- inconsistent jump shot
- tendency to over dribble, using shot clock and preventing ball movement
But, most importantly…Carlos becomes the number one target for the opposing offense. On a team that still prides itself on playing championship defense, Los is simply the defect in the bullet proof jacket that has the potential to be easily exploited by the competition. We have been protected up to this point because we normally shoot first before they can shoot back in any meaningful manner. Los, brings alot to the team..but Flip’s system would excel with another player that can bring more Chauncey esque qualities to the table besides low turnover to assist ratio.