The Detroit News AUBURN HILLS -- The Pistons started camp with four point guards -- Chauncey Billups, Lindsey Hunter, Carlos Arroyo and rookie Alex Acker. So who was that tall guy running the point in the scrimmages on Sunday? None other than small forward Tayshaun Prince, who was pressed into duty with Hunter out (ankle surgery) and Billups on the sideline after straining his back late in practice. "It was good to be able to give him some work there," coach Flip Saunders said. "He can probably play all five positions if he had to." Prince, as he did last season, will be used at the point in special situations. But Saunders would much rather give the additional practice reps to Arroyo and Acker. Arroyo has been slowed by a couple of ailments -- left hip bruise and a sore right thigh. He is also struggling a little bit with the offense. The coaching staff has talked to him and worked with him on over-dribbling. "He's starting to make better decisions," Saunders said. "You know the saying, 'Your greatest strength is your greatest weakness?' Well, his greatest strength is that he can put that ball on a yo-yo. But when he does it too much, it turns the strength into a weakness. He's improving." Acker, trying to learn both guard positions, has been solid at the point throughout camp. Billups and Arroyo aren't expected to miss any time with their injuries. But just in case, Prince is ready. Source
If something terrible was to happen and Billups was injured for an entire season, I would have complete confidence in Arroyo to run the point. A couple of games and he'd rise to the challenge. He personally took the USA to town at the last Olympics when he played for Puerto Rico and it was awesome to watch.
Tayshaun played some point at Kentucky, and I was impressed. When I saw him playing point, I knew he was NBA material. I think the only knock on Carlos Arroyo is his erratic shooting. Other than that, I think Arroyo is shipshape as a PG.
I've never thought about the fact of him playing PG. But just the thought of it would be scary. This would expand his game so much and make him even more versatile. BUT, I've seen his ball handling skills and it's not very up to par, so I don't think he would be too effective playing that position. Nevertheless, he should give it a try and if things go seemingly well, he should carry those PG duties in unpremeditated parts of the game just to throw the defense off and have them guessing.
