Detroit Pistons coach Dwane Casey gives an update on Reggie Bullock, who is dealing with an ankle sprain. Nov. 2, 2018.
Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press
This week’s Detroit Pistons mailbag examines the adjustment period of an important player and the status of Reggie Bullock.
I also recall my favorite one-season wonder TV series.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – A glum Reggie Jackson slowly dressed.
Minutes earlier, former teammate Spencer Dinwiddie had ruined the Pistons’ Halloween with 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime of the Brooklyn Nets’ 120-119 victory at Barclays Center.
Dinwiddie’s winning 3-pointer sent the Pistons (4-3) to their third-straight loss.
Jackson struggled through an 8-for-23 shooting night in scoring 21 points, which isn’t very efficient.
He missed a potential winning shot in regulation.
It dawned on me.
Of all the players on the roster, the Pistons starting point guard has the greatest adjustment under first-year coach Dwane Casey.
And a couple of Twitter followers agree.
After a solid start, Jackson’ discomfort at playing off the ball is apparent.
During the skid, Jackson is shooting 30 percent from the field and 22 percent from 3-point range.
After 3 ½ seasons as the Pistons’ primary ballhandler, he’s adjusting to the new reality of offense being run through Blake Griffin.
And he is sharing duties in two-point guard lineups with Ish Smith and Jose Calderon.
“I’m just figuring it out day by day,” Jackson said. “I’m just going through the process and trying to be patient. I’m taking it a day at a time and just trying to get better.”
Jackson’s usage rate is at 24 percent, a Pistons low since he was acquired at the February 2015 trade deadline.
Griffin’s usage is near 30 percent.
And it’s more than ballhandling.
Casey’s shot spectrum (3-pointers or shots at the rim) frowns on midrange jumpers and the floating one-handers that Jackson has spent a lifetime of effort.
He was more aggressive and appeared to break the spectrum at times.
He took four two-pointers outside the paint, missing them all.
Casey said in late-game situations he’s not as concerned with getting to the rim because officials are reluctant call fouls at crunch time.
But he understands what Jackson is going through.
“I feel for him,” Casey said Friday. “He’s had to make the biggest adjustment of anybody.”
But he’s confident Jackson will find his way.
The 3-point shot will be there.
He will find softer defenses with secondary pick-and-rolls.
“There’s a lot of other players handling the basketball besides Reggie when he’s used to being ball-dominant so it’s an adjustment, Casey said.
Tough question.
I can think of many shows canceled too soon.
The CW’s “Veronica Mars” had more mysteries to solve.
ABC’s “Marvel’s Agent Carter” deserved better.
The Cartoon Network’s “Star Wars: Clone Wars” will return.
But all lasted more than one season.
“My So-Called Life” usually lands atop such lists, but I know Claire Danes from “Homeland” — not her star-making turn as a teen (although my ex loved the show).
I thought of Fox’s “Almost Human,” but is it the best?
I went deep within the memory banks and go with “Battlestar Galactica.”
The hype machine was in overdrive when it adorned magazine covers before premiering in the fall of 1978.
Capitalizing on “Star Wars” fever and starring a known actor in Lorne Green of “Bonanza” fame.
As a budding sci-fi fan, I loved the adventures of Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck.
The intergalactic struggle against Cylons was riveting to a 10-year-old.
The ratings were good — at first.
But you can imagine production costs were high. With declining ratings, it was killed after one season — thus depriving us of this.
And this.
It earns my top spot for its staying power.
It’s spawned reboots, films, books, comics and video games.
I struggled with this game shortly before my PlayStation 2 died in the 2000s, thus ending my gamer days.
I bet younger readers would be surprised to learn the original series only lasted one season.
Even I had to double-check to make sure my memory was correct.
If you want to check out the original series (full of 70s camp), it’s available at YouTube.
Casey provided the details, calling Pistons swingman Reggie Bullock (right ankle sprain) doubtful for Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
“He’s still a little sore,” Casey said. “We’re going to see how it goes. Doubtful would be the word. We’re still going to hold the card to see how he goes tomorrow.”
Casey said he hurt it guarding a screen-and-roll in the first half against the Nets, a reaggravation from an earlier injury.
It occurred in the first quarter. He tried to return briefly near the end of the first half. He was ruled out at halftime.
Bullock received treatment Thursday night and Friday morning.
Bruce Brown got the start in the second half, but Casey was noncommittal if Bullock can’t go.
Fans get part of their wish with second-round pick Khyri Thomas — at least partly.
The team assigned Thomas — along with Henry Ellenson — to the Grand Rapids Drive, the team’s Gatorade League affiliate.
Thomas fell behind when he suffered a right hamstring injury during Las Vegas Summer League action.
Casey revealed recently Thomas had other nagging injuries throughout the offseason.
Bruce Brown has shown more early in their careers, although he was selected a few spots after Thomas.
Pistons fans can catch their first glimpses of Thomas on Friday night when the Drive faces the Erie (Pa.) Bayhawks and Saturday when the Windy City Bulls visit the DeltaPlex Arena.
Games are streamed via Facebook Live.
That’s it for this week.
Follow Vince Ellis on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.
