Chief Lightning First Step Is Also Flash Lite

We’ve already been using both of those aforementioned nicknames round these parts for a while for Rodney Stuckey, but given his recent Player of the Week honors, it’s now official: Everyone should be calling him “Flash Lite.”

Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey is the Eastern Conference player of the week.

Stuckey led the Pistons in scoring in three of the four wins last week. He averaged 23 points, 5.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds as Detroit went 4-0.

He scored 38 points against the Kings on Jan. 2 and had 24 points, six assists and two steals in the win over the Clippers.

The Pistons are 13-3 since Stuckey was inserted into the starting lineup.

Here are a few of his Dwyanesque exploits from yesterday. Even MoTown-supporting Aussies love the kid. (via Need4Sheed)

Since Rodney Stuckey moved into Detroit’s starting lineup the Pistons have gone 12-3. Since Stuckey became a starter he has averaged 18.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals. Since becoming a starter just twelve games ago Stuckey has exploded for a 40 point game and a 38 point game, already the two highest scoring efforts of his career, and both closely fought games where he carried his team to victory. Since becoming a starter Stuckey has been the Pistons leading assist getter, steal getter, FG% shooter 3PT% shooter and is only 0.25 points per game shy of being their leading scorer. There are no two ways about it: since becoming a starter, Rodney Stuckey has been the best player on this Pistons team.

More important than the stats, however, is the intangible evolution that NBAMate (“probably Australia’s best NBA blog”) sees in Rodney’s game since last season.

But let’s not focus on scoring. Stuckey is the best distributor of the ball on this Pistons team, and I believe what allows him to be such a great passer is his patience – he’s very similar to Chauncey in that he’ll hold onto the ball for a second or two longer than he probably needs to, sizing up the play before choosing the best option. It’s a measured change from the Rodney Stuckey of last season who at times, was trying to play at 100 miles per hour. It’s no coincidence a few of Chauncey’s traits have rubbed off on him (more on that later) after playing with him for over a year, but it is rare to see a second year player with the smarts and poise to actually execute it. For the record, Stuckey is 15th in the league in assists per 48 minutes.

And just cause the dude absolutely killed it with his (slightly homer biased) analysis, here’s one more paragraph.

For years people have applauded the Pistons well-rounded team, a group of players collectively better than their individual parts. That team has changed a little in the past few months and while the championship ingredients still appear to be there, there are many who doubt whether Detroit can get back to their title-winning ways. Rip is still the perpetual scoring machine, Sheed is still the brilliant enigma, Prince is still the quiet floor general and Allen Iverson would die for a ring. Sure, doubt them all you want, but be aware there’s a young rising star to add to the mix. And he’s better than all of them.

You really just ought to read the whole thing though. And start checking out what’s certainly Australia’s best NBA blog regularly.

Rodney's Halloween costume got him his first nickname. His resemblance to the guy playing the best ball in the world right now not named LeBron got him his second one.

Known Associates: Chief Lightning First Step, Pistons