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Despite playing a limited role with the Detroit Pistons, rookie Chaz Lanier has impressed coach J.B. Bickerstaff and is expected to be a vital part of the future with the organization.
Lanier is averaging 3.1 points and one rebound while shooting 33.3% from 3-point range in 20 appearances with the Pistons. He recorded a season-high nine points and two rebounds on Nov. 18 in a win on the road over the Atlanta Hawks.
The 24-year-old was highly touted as the 37th overall pick out of Tennessee because of his shooting, instincts and awareness. He has been the victim of a roster crunch, with so many established players ahead of him, but he has had a productive season.
"He has played with us throughout the season and has done the things we needed him to do here," Bickerstaff said. "He is just caught in a numbers situation, but he is an NBA player, and we expect him to be a part of what we're doing long-term."
Lanier returned to the Pistons on Tuesday after another stint in the G League with the Motor City Cruise. He is averaging 18.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range across 32 minutes in 16 appearances.
The former third-team All-American dropped a career-high 40 points with nine 3-pointers in his debut with the Cruise in a loss to the Cleveland Charge on Dec. 10. He is one of 13 players to knock down at least nine 3s in a game this season in the G League.
Lanier will likely finish the season in a developmental role, with the first-place Pistons expected to make a deep playoff run. But Bickerstaff and the organization are eager to see his potential behind his continued development on the court.
"He is only going to get better when he continues to play with better players," Bickerstaff said. "He understands where to be always relative to the ball, so when you have an elite playmaker like Cade (Cunningham), for example, he is always going to be open. I've told guys before that there is going to come a night, whether it is this year or next year, where Chaz has 30-something points, and he has dribbled the ball three times because he is that good at finding his area and the ability to knock down those shots."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Pistons news: J.B. Bickerstaff offers strong Chaz Lanier prediction
Continue reading...
Lanier is averaging 3.1 points and one rebound while shooting 33.3% from 3-point range in 20 appearances with the Pistons. He recorded a season-high nine points and two rebounds on Nov. 18 in a win on the road over the Atlanta Hawks.
The 24-year-old was highly touted as the 37th overall pick out of Tennessee because of his shooting, instincts and awareness. He has been the victim of a roster crunch, with so many established players ahead of him, but he has had a productive season.
"He has played with us throughout the season and has done the things we needed him to do here," Bickerstaff said. "He is just caught in a numbers situation, but he is an NBA player, and we expect him to be a part of what we're doing long-term."
Lanier returned to the Pistons on Tuesday after another stint in the G League with the Motor City Cruise. He is averaging 18.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 39.7% from 3-point range across 32 minutes in 16 appearances.
The former third-team All-American dropped a career-high 40 points with nine 3-pointers in his debut with the Cruise in a loss to the Cleveland Charge on Dec. 10. He is one of 13 players to knock down at least nine 3s in a game this season in the G League.
Lanier will likely finish the season in a developmental role, with the first-place Pistons expected to make a deep playoff run. But Bickerstaff and the organization are eager to see his potential behind his continued development on the court.
"He is only going to get better when he continues to play with better players," Bickerstaff said. "He understands where to be always relative to the ball, so when you have an elite playmaker like Cade (Cunningham), for example, he is always going to be open. I've told guys before that there is going to come a night, whether it is this year or next year, where Chaz has 30-something points, and he has dribbled the ball three times because he is that good at finding his area and the ability to knock down those shots."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Pistons news: J.B. Bickerstaff offers strong Chaz Lanier prediction
Continue reading...
