Off the High Glass: Tayshaun Prince

“Off the High Glass” is a segment on CTBAAF where I profile one of the Pistons. Today, Tayshaun Prince goes under the microscope.

Tayshaun Prince is tied with RIP Hamitlon as the longest-tenured Pistons. Prince is in his seventh season, which has been a lot like his sixth, which was a lot like his fifth, which was a lot like the two before that. For the fifth consecutive season, Prince has started every game, averaged roughly 14 points per game, posted a PER close to the league average, and played stellar defense. Prince was taken with the 23rd pick in 2002 draft. Nearly all of the teams that passed on Prince wish they could have a do-over. Among 2002 first round picks, only Yao Ming, Amare Stoudemire, and Caron Butler have come close to matching Prince’s production.

Offense: Prince has one of the most diversified offensive arsenals in the NBA. Among his many strengths, he is effective running the offense, shooting three pointers, and scoring in the post. Prince has a high basketball IQ and is a proficient ball handler so the Pistons are able to use him as a point forward. This ability has been especially useful this season because Rodney Stuckey is the only reliable point guard on the roster.

However, Prince is best suited to man the wing as a forward. Prince is 6’9 and possesses exceptionally long arms which allow him to attack defenses in a variety of way. Thanks to his length and a high release point on his shot, Prince is able to shoot over almost any defender. This skill proves most useful at the end of the shot clock, when Prince is often asked to create a shot out of a busted possession. He excels at making contested jump shots as the shot clock expires.

Prince is also a valuable threat in the post. He prefers to get the ball on the right block, where he likes to dribble into the paint and take a lefty hook shot. If his defender overplays against this move, Prince will spin baseline and go to the basket. Prince is one of few players who can contribute both in the post and on the wing of a fast break attack. The Pistons have never been much of a running team, but when they do run, Prince likes to soar in for alley-oop dunks from the left side of the basket.

Prince has never averaged more than 15 points per game in a season. He is surely is capable of such a feat, but he tends to defer to his teammates and he is patient almost to a fault. When Prince catches the ball while open early in the shot clock, he often makes an exaggerated pump fake and then decides how to proceed. If his defender jumps at him, he often will absorb the contact, put up a shot, and head to the charity stripe. If the defender flies past him, Prince will either drive to the hoop, or take one dribble and rise up for a jumper. If the defender does not bite on the fake, Prince likes to back up and either set up a play or isolate against the defender. Prince would probably be best-served to simply shoot the ball a bit more frequently.

Defense: Prince is an excellent defender. He has been voted to the NBA’s 2nd All-Defense team each of the past four seasons. Again, Prince relies on his superior length and intelligence to succeed. As a result of his length, he is able to play a step behind his man while still being able to contest jump shots. Prince can guard four positions and has given fits to players like Kobe Bryant, Antawn Jamison, and Michael Redd. Just two games ago, he did a number on ex-Piston point guard Chauncey Billups down the stretch of a close Piston victory.

Despite a wiry frame, Prince is rarely outmuscled. Opponents who have had success against Prince have often had him try to guard the pick and roll. Prince does a fine job defending the play, but guarding players like LeBron James on the pick and roll without proper help is nearly impossible.

One of the best aspects of Prince’s game is that he rarely bites on pump fakes. Over the last four seasons, he has never averaged more than 1.4 fouls per game despite playing heavy minutes and usually guarding the opponent’s best scorer. Prince does not often gamble for steals, but almost always stays between his man and the basket. He does not block many shots, but the blocks he does make are often spectacular. Prince is one of the best ever at coming from behind a player to block a fast break layup or dunk. He usually times his jumps perfectly and his infamous 2004 block on Reggie Miller set the gold standard for this type of play.

Prince grabbed between 4.2 and 5.3 rebounds per game each of the past five seasons. This season, he has dramatically increased his board work. He is averaging 7.2 rebounds per game. Prince has been more committed to the glass partially because he has been asked to play power forward, but he has also rebounded better while playing small forward.

Overall: Michael Curry has been campaigning for Prince to make the all-star team for the first time in his career. However, LeBron James, Paul Pierce, Caron Butler and Danny Granger all play small forward in the East, so Curry’s mission is probably a lost cause. Prince did have his play recognized when he was named to the gold medal-winning Olympic Basketball team.

Prince does not wow with any one skill, but he is the complete package. He is cerebral on the court and was named team captain because of his poise and leadership. LeBron James is clearly the best small forward – and overall player – in basketball, but Prince is in the next tier in terms of elite small forwards. Since the trade of Billups, Prince has emerged as the Piston’s best player. He is only 28 and under contract through 2011 so expect Prince to continue to be the Piston’s do-everything small forward for several years to come.