So who's going to play the 3 spot???

How many teams have the backup 3 totally solidified (I'm honestly asking)? Herrmann seems like he knows what to do, tries really hard, and has 3-point range. But we don't know if he's capable of being the primary backup or not because we wasted playing time on Arvis during the last regular season, only to abandon him in the playoffs.

So, my point is that we have to test drive Herrmann before we know if we need help at that position or not.

I agree with you about Herrmann.
...& I feel that he's up to the task. He'll be a BIG improvement over Arvis IMO.

Joe has made it pretty clear that the "Sleeper Pick" won't be seeing much PT this year. - Which leaves us with only 2 "true" 3s on the roster.

Rather than using the 15th roster spot on a 6th guard (Ack), I would have liked Joe to either keep that roster spot open for later in the year or sign a veteran SF as an insurance policy.

I think we'll be fine unless Tay gets hurt. (knocking on wood)

Yeah, I'm intrigued by Acker too, but can't imagine any possible realistic situation in which we would actually use him. Maybe he'll be valuable as a backup when Joe trades either Rip or Chauncey for a non-guard.

I'll knock on wood too for emphasis LOL. I wonder why Tay feels the need to play every game. I don't remember him sitting out even when we rested the starters at the end of season; Is it pride or OCD?

Both of those guys are on my depth chart (especially Afflalo).

My main reason for the rejuvenation of this thread was to point out the fact that the back-up 3 spot continues to be an issue (or potential issue, it IS still the pre-season) with this team.

While we have decent depth at every position (although, another Center would be nice), The back-up SF continues to consist of "combo" solutions and PFs or SGs playing out of position in an effort to put a band-aid on the problem.

I'd like nothing more than to see Walt Herrmann excel in this role this year and stake his claim to the position. I like his hustle and quirky on-court demeanor and you gotta root for a guy that's been through as much as he has in his personnel life.

I thought Rip did a good job on [STRIKE]Jeff Spicoli[/STRIKE] Josh Howard last game. He moved his feet well and stayed in front of him. Howard overpowered him some which will always be an issue in the East for he and AA.

I think when BDL is talking about the backup 3 he is mostly talking about D. They almost need a specialist, someone with size, strength and quickness to handle the 3's they'll see in the playoffs. Someone with shoulders of chiseled granite orbs, someone like Sammy Mejia.

I agree 100%

Sammy Mejia is an All-Star. He'd come in right away and take Tay's job, thus dividing the team into two factions and killing any chance of them playing as a cohesive unit.

He'd end up starting in less than a week. Not only would we end up forgetting about Tay (even "the block"), We'd also forget that Michael Jordan ever existed.

Let me repeat...this team is going nowhere without a huge change in the three. There might be a chance that the right player in this spot make the pistons a running team. Remember, now: piston DNA (defense) is a given. Given the right system, coach and players, no one need be over 6'-9".

My problem is: that I need to keep giving JD some more space.

5--KB
4--Brand
3--CV
2--BG
1--Stuckey

Go head, and give me their average age.

Then give me their level of experience in the league in proportion to their age and current positional placement. The middle ground (3-4) holds the center. The tweaks are in your creative boundaries.

Then make another decision: is future growth positive or negative?

The list is adding one important addition. You see...one person at the right position, at the right time...is important.

Add leadership (coach), an organization (JD) and some maturation that is given leeway (draft picks) and you gain stability and many options to successfully try again after failing the rainbow of selections.

Right now I have more confidence playing Rip at the 3 than Tay.

That's interesting. Could CV possibly spend a lot of time at the SF spot? Offensively, he seems like a 3. Defensively, it might be nice to have a SF who can body Lebron, Pierce, and Artest (if we get to the Finals).

Against smaller lineups, use Afflalo or one of our 5 rookie SF's.

Curry would have used Amir Johnson at SF, Maxiell at PF, and Kwame at C...

Good luck matching up with that

...and lee would have ended up being the leader of the Michael Curry HOF club.