dVs33 wrote:1 - Cheeks rotation.
It's been well documented that the team is going to face some issues with the current construction of the roster, but if Cheeks can find a balance it can work. Smith needs to play at least 50% of his minutes at PF and the spacing issues will need to be addressed. If cheeks can manage our frontcourt combinations, we'll be good, if not it could be a long messy season.
2 - Jennings maturity.
Our team has lacks that bad boy attitude that was so crucial to successful pistons teams of the past, but Jennings has it in spades. If he can control his ego and use his swagger powers for good, not evil, we'll see a huge improvement from the entire team. He really needs to control his shot selection and make sure he's focused on bettering the team and not just his stat sheet.
3 - Smiths Maturity.
Smith is going to have a tough transition this year IMO. He can be a great all round player, but he needs to play within himself here. We have Monroe who is a great passing post player and drummond who is a shot blocking (potential) defensive force. Smith is going to have to adjust from being the guy who brought those attributes to the team to a more perimeter oriented player. He'll be fine when drummond rests and he and monroe man the power spots, but when he plays the 3 he needs to control himself.
4 - Consistent Bench Production.
Bynum, Stuckey, Jonas, CV... doesn't scream consistency.
bynum/Stuckey/CV can give you 30 points on one night and give you 0-30 the next. jonas forgets he's a hustle guy far too often. Billips is often injured. And Singler hit a rookie wall big time last season. Our key reserves need to be relied upon, but it hasn't happened in years. Cheeks management of these guys is key, but they need to step up. KCP and Gigi are unknowns right now, but the same goes.
5 - Drummond and monroes development.
IMO these guys are our best players. They have the highest ceilings and we will basically live and die through these two. Monroe needs to expand his range and drummond needs to continue developing his defense and become our general in the middle. there's no reason why both things can't happen, i just hope it happens sooner than later.
Ding Ding Ding
