Apr 4, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldell-Pope (5) shoots over Brooklyn Nets center
Andray Blatche(0) during the first half at Barclays Center. The Nets won 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Pistons– Shooting Guard (Jodie Meeks vs Kentavious Caldwell-Pope)
Out of all the position battles in the league this might be one of the hardest, as it features a player that had a career season for another team (Jodie Meeks) and a player that didn’t have the rookie season some thought he could have, but is lighting up the summer league (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope).
One thing to note is that Kyle Singler started a good portion of the season at the two guard, is not in the running as I believe that Meeks arrival will push him back to his natural small forward spot behind Josh Smith. Caldwell-Pope averaged 5.9 points and 2 rebounds in 19.8 minutes last season. Caldwell-Pope was extremely inefficient last season as he shot 40% from the field and 32% from three. Meeks averaged 15.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 33.2 minutes.
Meeks was also much more efficient as he shot 46% from the field and 40% from three. If you are going off of potential, there is no doubt that Caldwell-Pope is a safer bet, but with new coach Stan Van Gundy and the right pieces, the Pistons are probably thinking it’s time to step. Meeks is a better shooter and a more reliable scorer than Caldwell-Pope at this point, but Caldwell-Pope has better tools defensively (size and athleticism). The Pistons will go with the man they paid about $6 million a year (Meeks) and let the younger Caldwell-Pope come in as a primary scorer off the bench.
Winner-Meeks