It's a dangerous time to be a guard on the Pistons: first Rodney Stuckey slammed his thumb in a car door (though he might be back by opening night), and now Brandon Jennings is having a dental nightmare:
#Pistons announce Brandon Jennings out at least three weeks with impacted wisdom tooth and hairline fracture of mandible at base of tooth.
— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) October 15, 2013
Brandon Jennings to be immobilized for 3 weeks with hairline fracture of jaw and impacted wisdom tooth
— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) October 15, 2013
Seems like the easiest he can come back is around Nov. 5 against the Pacers, four games into the regular season #Pistons
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) October 15, 2013
Fortunately for the Pistons, Will Bynum has played well in Jennings' absence thus far in the preseason. Despite dealing with a hip issue of his own, Bynum has averaged 17 points (.667 FG%) and 8.5 assists in two games, playing 36 minutes a game. For a guy who looked like he was on the rotation bubble just one week ago, he's suddenly a critical part of the equation for Detroit to open the 2013-14 season on the right foot.
Even if Bynum sees a significant number of minutes, will he be the opening night starter? Or will Mo Cheeks go with Chauncey Billups, easily the sentimental choice (and arguably still the most worthy)?
Now your thoughts.
Update: I didn't even think about this until it was mentioned in the comments, but man, I hope this isn't related to Jennings' altercation with The Game at a Los Angeles nightclub in September. Jennings confirmed at media day having an altercation -- he reportedly described it as a "sucker punch" in a tweet, but that tweet has apparently since been deleted. Until we're told otherwise, let's not make any assumptions.
Personal aside: I know more than most how painful a wisdom tooth situation can become when you ignore it for too long -- I personally put off having a tooth extracted for years before my hand was forced following an infection and a trip to the emergency room last December. That sh*t hurts, I wish Jennings the best.