2013-14 NBA Bench Power Rankings

Jun 9, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chauncey Billups wins inaugural Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award trophy honoring best teammate in the NBA during a press conference prior to game two of the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

11. Detroit Pistons

The Pistons aren’t a top tier team yet, nor even a middle tier team, but they have the opportunity to be spectacular in some very weird ways if everything goes according to plan. Likewise, the Last Experiment of Joe Dumars seems highly combustible, and I would not be shocked if it things didn’t fall into place quite the way the brass envisioned it. That being said, the Pistons ought to have a more than serviceable bench, especially if Chauncey Billups can still log meaningful two digit minutes. Billups is such a canny player that I would never bet against him positively impacting his team, even with his age and recent history of injuries. Charlie Villanueva is a known quantity at this point, but part of the known is the unknown, as Donald Rumsfeld would say. Why did he get that absurd contract? Because sometimes Charlie looks like he can play with the best of them. He’s a big man that can hit outside shots, which will be a necessary counterpoint to the brute force of the Pistons starting front court. Will Bynum is stumpy and average, but he’s smart and he can score. In years past he was a one-man offensive show while the Pistons toiled in a purgatory of turgid scoring averages.

Imported Euro Luigi Datome is one of the best shooters in Europe, a forward with a lot of upside and perhaps one of the best kept secrets from overseas. The Pistons got him at a bargain, and he’ll soon show his opposites to fear his stroke. Rodney Stuckey will forever be an enigma, but he’s bullish when motivated, a formidable combo guard that has been around the block. Kyle Singler has size and shooting, Jonas Jerebko was once an absolute joy to watch, his infectious energy and hustle cancelled out other holes in his game. You better believe the Big Swede is going to play his heart out to save his spot in the league or die trying.

Rookie Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP) had a rocky start to the Orlando Summer League, but he roared to life and showed some of the poise and shooting that made him a surprise pick at slot eight. If all goes according to plan he’ll be starting at the shooting guard spot by the end of the year, lending his floor stretching ability to a woefully inside and closer inside attack that the Pistons starting line-up is currently constructed for. Tony Mitchell is big and Peyton Siva has composure unusual for a rookie guard. The Pistons aren’t flushed with A-list bench talent, but they’re honestly not a bad bunch, especially in spot minutes behind a suddenly exciting starting five. It’ll be up to Mo Cheeks and his staff (Rasheed Wallace!) to put them in the best position to succeed as understudies in this grand gamble.