Freep.com: Pistons coach John Kuester continues to say Rodney Stuckey is on track to be a great defender in the league.
However, while Richard Hamilton (right ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (back) continue to mend, Stuckey has struggled with his shot -- until Friday.
After Friday's 7-for-11 night and a team-leading 19 points in a 105-96 victory over Milwaukee, the guard is shooting 39.5% from the field, averaging 17.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
Considered a combo guard, Chucky Atkins has, for the time being, been put in the starting lineup to initiate the offense after Ben Gordon suffered an ankle injury. Atkins, who started Friday because Gordon was a game-time decision, is more of a true point guard.
"What we want out of a guy like Stuckey, who we think is going to be a premier guard in this league, is a combination of putting him in a situation where he knows how to run a team and understand times where he has to take the basketball to the hole," Kuester said.
"I think the biggest thing people don't realize is he has a chance to be one of the best defensive guards I've coached, and I've been blessed to have coached some good ones."
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