Ish Smith seemed a fairly safe if unexciting free agent signing for the Detroit Pistons in July. Signing a three-year $18 million contract didn’t really move the needle, but at least he was probably better than Steve Blake. For a playoff team on the rise, better than Steve Blake seemed like enough in relief of Reggie Jackson who came up just short of an All Star bid last season.
As it turns out, all hell has broken loose from day one for the Detroit Pistons. Reggie Jackson was diagnosed with knee tendinitis on the first day of training camp and missed the first 21 games.