In a perfect situation, Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson would be the starter and play about 32 minutes, while backup Ish Smith would finish the remaining 16 minutes.
For Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy, it’s been anything but a perfect situation, for the entirety of the season. After Jackson had tendinitis issues in both his left knee and right thumb and had plasma injections to ease the pain, things have been shaky.
Jackson hasn’t been himself and although Smith has had his ups and downs, he’s been steady for much of the season. That’s had many fans clamoring for Smith to assume the starting role, especially after Jackson’s number dipped precipitously in February: 10.