In the playoffs, JB Bickerstaff has tightened his rotation, and one notable omission is second-year player Ron Holland II, who appears to be firmly in the coach’s doghouse with no clear path out.
Holland logged another DNP-CD last night and hasn’t seen action since Game 2, when he was abruptly pulled and hasn’t returned since. Bickerstaff was seen exchanging heated words with him on the sideline, so while the exact cause is unclear, Holland is officially out of the playoff rotation for now.
I had anticipated this possibility Bickerstaff needs more shooting and ball-handling off the bench, and Holland hasn’t delivered much of either.
Still, it’s surprising that the team’s usual energy guy isn’t getting any floor time, and it raises questions about his future with the Pistons.
Ron Holland can’t get past Caris LeVert
With Javonte Green providing solid playoff minutes and Daniss Jenkins as the only reliable backup point guard, the ninth rotation spot was always going to come down to LeVert or Holland.
LeVert hasn’t done much, but Bickerstaff clearly trusts him more than Holland right now. The Pistons signed LeVert for exactly this kind of situation, and even though he had twice as many fouls as points last night, Holland still can’t get off the bench.
I’ve written before about Bickerstaff’s loyalty potentially being an issue, but given how the Pistons are shooting, it’s hard to blame him.
Ron Holland and Ausar Thompson can’t share the floor
In a best-case scenario, Holland develops into a credible three-point shooter, giving Detroit the best defensive wing duo in the league.
But we’re not there yet, so playing them together is tough you can’t have two wings that opponents don’t need to guard.
With Thompson logging more playoff minutes, there are fewer bench minutes available, which leaves less room for Holland. As strong as Orlando’s defense has been, Bickerstaff clearly feels he needs LeVert’s theoretical handling and scoring.
It’s understandable, but Holland’s absence is still glaring.
Pistons are missing energy and hustle points
Holland might not shoot well, and he occasionally forces poor decisions in transition by taking on multiple defenders, but he brings energy, steals, and intangibles the Pistons currently lack.
With LeVert struggling again last night and Detroit hitting a second-half lull, I thought we might see Holland for a few minutes just to spark the bench but that idea didn’t even seem to cross Bickerstaff’s mind.
JB has made his call and will live with the results. Still, it’s worth wondering whether Holland’s playoff disappearance will lead the Pistons to shop him this summer or if they still believe in him as part of their core.
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