Moreland was a surprise waive by the Pistons to open the offseason, with Zaza Pachulia apparently preferred to him as the backup centre option, despite Moreland making a pretty good first of his first extended NBA run. Last year for Detroit, Moreland averaged 2.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 blocks in only 12.0 minutes per game, the rebounding rate being one of the best in the league, and the latter two pretty good for a centre as well. It is true that the points total is very low, and that as a wiry athletic with little offensive skill, Moreland is very little scoring threat. But his physical profile allows him to defend all areas of the court and still get back to clear the glass. He contributed, consistently, and it is a surprise to see him still unsigned.
Eric Moreland C – 6’10, 238lbs - 26 years old - 3 years of experience
In an era in which the athleticism of the front court positions is of renewed focus, Moreland was picked up by the Pistons to be one such athletic centre, one could defend all areas of the court. As opposed to Boban Marjanovic, who could defend as much as he could reach and no more.
Moreland only really played one half of the court. Offensively, apart from some screens, some put-backs, some gimmicks and some very occasional lob stuff (which incidentally there should be more of), he mostly just got out of the way. Didn’t want the ball, played hot potato as soon as he got it, never shot or dribbled outside of the paint...nothing. He went to the offensive glass and otherwise did not look to score. Moreland did get incorporated in a few of the Andre Drummond up-top hand-off cutting-based plays towards season’s end, but he was nonetheless a very limited scorer and offensive player this season, clearly by choice.
He made it back through his defence. Long, wiry and athletic, Moreland crashed the glass extremely well all season, amongst the NBA’s best per minute. He also used that same length to make plays on the ball, not only around the basket (where he was disruptive despite occasionally being overpowered) but also on the perimeter (where he did very well for a five man).
Next season, it would be nice to see him be slightly less worried about every touch he receives on the offensive end. But kudos to Eric Moreland - because of his play in 2017/18, there will at least now be a ‘next season’.
Player Plan: Two years and $3,739,567 remaining. None of it is guaranteed, but it should be; Moreland earned it.
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