From Drew Sharp in the Free Press:
“They’re trying to fit these young point guards into an old mold that belonged to somebody else,” Pistons veteran Lindsey Hunter said. “They’re creating their own mold. People say that Chris Paul is another Isiah Thomas or Nate Archibald. No, he isn’t. He has his own style. They say Deron Williams is another Jason Kidd. His game is nothing like his. But people are trying to diminish what these young fellas are doing by simply saying they’re just following somebody else.”
Hunter believes Stuckey also defies typecasting.
“He’s a 6-5 point guard,” Hunter said. “They try labeling him as a combo. He’s a point who can create his own shot. I guarantee you that if they did that draft all over again, there’s no way that he falls into our lap. He doesn’t make it out of the top 10.”
It seems like I’ve made a mental note in just about every playoff game about how well Stuckey has played. He’s protecting the ball, which has been important with Billups sidelined/limited, but I was somewhat surprised to see how poorly he’s been shooting: just .372 for the postseason, which ranks 11th on the team, ahead of only Jarvis Hayes (.286), Walter Herrmann (.250) and Juan Dixon (.000). That said, he ranks third in free throws attempted per game and is 8-15 from the field in the last two games, so maybe he’s turned the corner.
He can’t seem to hit anything beyond 18 feet at this juncture. I smell an off-season brimming with plenty of jumpshot focus. Rondo is getting better - I think Rodney will, too.
I’m less concerned with Stuckey’s outside shot; that will come with time. I think his FG% is low because he’s having to adjust his finishes on drives — he sometimes drives too deep into a big that challenges him.
Mark my words — Stuckey will learn, adjust his drives, expand his range, and become a big-time scorer. I wouldn’t be surprised if next year he’s a 12-14 ppg scorer off the bench, and a 20-22 ppg scorer in his third season.
A agree with peterock. The guys has potential. You know something is up when Joe D says the guys has a shot to be “really special”. I am impressed with his SPEED. He is just so fast. When his skill set catches up with his speed he will be a unique and exciting player.
Joe D is the man. Year after year.
juan dixon hasn’t made one f-ing shot from the field?!? jesus….
I think Dixon is like 0-3, if that.
I have not seen Juan play in any meaningful game yet.