The Detroit Pistons have some options at the point guard position when their starter Reggie Jackson needs a little bit of a break. Both Steve Blake and Spencer Dinwiddie are on the roster and capable of playing minutes and being productive. The two of them were supposedly in a competition for the backup point guard spot, but although Stan Van Gundy hasn't officially announced it yet, it seems like he will go with Blake as the backup, according to Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
This decision is a bit of a surprise for a couple of reasons. The first is that Blake was picked up in the middle of the offseason after he was cut by the Brooklyn Nets and he was expected to just be a veteran presence on the bench who also provided depth. Another reason is that the Pistons were hoping Dinwiddie would win the job because he is a young player they have high hopes for, and he played very well during the end of the preseason. Blake, on the other hand, only played in one preseason game after dealing with a concussion, but that was apparently enough for Van Gundy.
"He's just got a lot of experience, I like the way he moves the ball, passes the ball. I thought Spencer, though, has played four pretty good games in a row, so I'd be comfortable having him out there and we'll see how it goes," said Van Gundy.
The Pistons head coach also added that Blake is likely to get the first shot and that he can see Blake and Jackson playing minutes together. Blake is now 35 years old and entering his 13th NBA season, the last of which, with Portland, was not a great one. Blake had a 9.5 PER and shot just 37 percent from the field, but Van Gundy would seemingly prefer experience over potential for now.
Dinwiddie wasn't very good himself last season as a rookie, but he has made some nice strides this offseason and put together some solid performances in the preseason. Dinwiddie is still just 22 years old, and he has great size for a point guard at 6-foot-6. It is very possible that the second-year man can take away the spot from Blake at some point during the season, but you also have to remember Brandon Jennings is a factor here.
Jennings is still recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered last year, but when he comes back he will likely be the backup point guard. Jennings doesn't have a timetable for his return, but he is shooting to get back before Christmas. When Jennings does return, both Dinwiddie and Blake's roles should diminish greatly, but while he is out there are minutes to be had at the point guard spot and Blake is probably first up.
