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This might seem like a hopeless situation today... it's really is not.
There are two camps... the "tank & restart" vs the "let's start by getting in the first round"
I'm an old head (following since '65) so there really isn't much new or devastating with what's going on today... yet it' still an exciting challenge to see what might be the right directions to take.
Gotta admit that the tank for pick is very tempting... however what we're missing is the unknown results of this potential pick and the effects of retaining & acquiring talent!
If they make it to the lotto the odds heavily favor a low pick... take a serious look at what's available and see if you are ready to proclaim a future difference maker...
The very worse that can happen this year is we land in draft purgatory (no pick & no playoffs)...then what?... Gores fires everyone involved and starts from scratch... your basic reboot.
I'd like to make a case for pushing forward with trying to make the playoffs... it's not a sure proof method for success or even remotely resembling hope for the future... but what it does offer is that this franchise is worth considering for assembling talent... without all hopes reliant on iffy late picks or free agents that would prefer a real chance growing with better environment... even MLE talent might look the other way if this team appears to have little hope.... frankly I think the shortest route to excellence is by not tanking and showing that this young team is starting to turn the corner.
It's understandable that Joe has made a mockery of this franchise with his band aid solutions... yet we still need to support their efforts so that we might get something in return in trade.
History shows if you can't defend your position then you're already a weak link to the rest the squad... this is where we have to start... Jennings can put up great numbers for the rest of the year and he still will be a liability due t his lack of perimeter defense.
Smith could still improve if a large anvil hits him on his cranium and he finally gets the fact that he should take his man inside without settling... recent events point to hope... maybe worth waiting til the deadline before taking a bath in a trade for him.
Then there's the Monroe dilemma... If it was my money I would not hesitate to field offers (knowing his agent will definitely be asking for max $'s)... this has been discussed beyond this thread.
Win now or take the risk of making the lotto?... the picture is becoming more clear with each win.

Losers tank lets get this team in the playoffs

People are talking about the Pistons as if achieving a playoff spot is simply a matter of choice for them. It's not. This team has not intentionally been tanking at all- no phantom injuries, all of our starters have essentially remained healthy. This team may simply not be capable of attaining the 8th spot in the worst eastern conference I've ever witnessed.

Additionally, just barely making the playoffs and getting embarrassed with four straight blow out losses isn't going to give this team some kind of growth spurt either.

The only thing that needs to happen is Dumars and Co need to be deposed from their positions. Regardless of how the season unfolds from here on out. While he's still in office, no amount of trades or draft picks will help this team. A new GM, and hopefully quickly followed by a new head coach is what this team needs most right now.

I will not support a terrible product, regardless of fan loyalty. I love the Pistons, but hate the people who operate it.

The Pistons haven't had injuries to deal with this year but other teams near the bottom have and are now finally getting healthy (NJ, NY, BOS) so its certainly possible we won't be good enough to make the playoffs. The biggest thing is, we have to do one or the other... Finishing 9th or 10th in the east would be awful if 8th gets us some playoff experience and 11th gets us our lotto pick back... It really looks like we just can't be 9th or 10th in the East and we should be fine.

I'm on the make the playoffs and give the bobcats the worst we can out of our pick. We aren't bad enough to get it back and by next month teams will be tanking real hard. Plus getting rid of the pick now would just be a relief. I hate having to worry about it. We fool around and give the Cats the 9th pick and we give them a chance to win into the top 3 which would really suck.

MotownMadness wrote:I'm on the make the playoffs and give the bobcats the worst we can out of our pick. We aren't bad enough to get it back and by next month teams will be tanking real hard. Plus getting rid of the pick now would just be a relief. I hate having to worry about it. We fool around and give the Cats the 9th pick and we give them a chance to win into the top 3 which would really suck.

It doesn't work that way. If we finish 9th the Bobcats get the pick unless it's a top 3, then we get it. Top 8 protection means a pick in the top 8, regardless of finishing top 8th or bouncing up to the top 3 pick with the lotto.

Piston Prince wrote:

MotownMadness wrote:I'm on the make the playoffs and give the bobcats the worst we can out of our pick. We aren't bad enough to get it back and by next month teams will be tanking real hard. Plus getting rid of the pick now would just be a relief. I hate having to worry about it. We fool around and give the Cats the 9th pick and we give them a chance to win into the top 3 which would really suck.

It doesn't work that way. If we finish 9th the Bobcats get the pick unless it's a top 3, then we get it. Top 8 protection means a pick in the top 8, regardless of finishing top 8th or bouncing up to the top 3 pick with the lotto.

You sure?

We are too good to tank and too bad to do something in the playoffs

MotownMadness wrote:

Piston Prince wrote:

MotownMadness wrote:I'm on the make the playoffs and give the bobcats the worst we can out of our pick. We aren't bad enough to get it back and by next month teams will be tanking real hard. Plus getting rid of the pick now would just be a relief. I hate having to worry about it. We fool around and give the Cats the 9th pick and we give them a chance to win into the top 3 which would really suck.

It doesn't work that way. If we finish 9th the Bobcats get the pick unless it's a top 3, then we get it. Top 8 protection means a pick in the top 8, regardless of finishing top 8th or bouncing up to the top 3 pick with the lotto.

You sure?

Yes. In the LBJ-Darko draft Memphis's pick was top 1 protected. Ie they get #1 and get LBJ or get #2 and get nothing. They got #2.

If we don't finish top 8 pick wise the lotto is our only hope, conversely if we do finish in the 8 spot we have to pray we don't get bumped down by the lotto.

Piston Prince wrote:

MotownMadness wrote:

Piston Prince wrote:

It doesn't work that way. If we finish 9th the Bobcats get the pick unless it's a top 3, then we get it. Top 8 protection means a pick in the top 8, regardless of finishing top 8th or bouncing up to the top 3 pick with the lotto.

You sure?

Yes. In the LBJ-Darko draft Memphis's pick was top 1 protected. Ie they get #1 and get LBJ or get #2 and get nothing. They got #2.

If we don't finish top 8 pick wise the lotto is our only hope, conversely if we do finish in the 8 spot we have to pray we don't get bumped down by the lotto.

Yeah it makes sense.

there is a perfect solutions. trade monroe for a legitimate SF who can shoot and defend.