ESPN (Hollinger) Ranks Pistons #11 in the NBA, Could Win East

[treefi]

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerrankings

75% chance of making the playoffs!

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/playoffodds

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/ ... s-real-nba

"If the Pistons keep playing like this, we'll have to consider them serious contenders for the conference finals..."

[treefi]

Can you imagine?

Wow just wait for one more off-season with SVG... We're serious and going to be good for a long time.

[zeebneeb]

I now believe this team is absolutely better then their record. This team is around a 50 win team, but if they want to advance and be a tough out, they have to upgrade the SF position.

That's more then likely coming in the off season, so we are, what we are right now, and I believe that's a starting SF away from being a true playoff team, and or contender.

If we make the playoffs, we are more then likely a first round out, or at best 2nd round, which would be amazing, considering it would be a historic finish for a team with a 5-23 record.

I'm just glad that this team actually matters for the first time in awhile. Makes me smile.

[WillTheThrill12]

I love all the love we're getting for the Pistons, but some of these national peeps need to slow their role haha. Lmao! Gotta perform better against teams like the Bulls and Hawks before we even mention winning the East or what not lol.

[Cowology]

The important thing is we're trending the right way and there is an assumption we'll continue to improve as the season progresses. We've come such a long way in such a short period of time that to stagnate now would feel like a disappointment. Kinda unfair considering where we were a month ago, but expectations sorta go with the territory.

[zeebneeb]

The important thing is we're trending the right way and there is an assumption we'll continue to improve as the season progresses. We've come such a long way in such a short period of time that to stagnate now would feel like a disappointment. Kinda unfair considering where we were a month ago, but expectations sorta go with the territory.

I couldn't agree more. Expectations can change very quickly, and I hope this team is ready for the Avalanche of attention that is going to come their way, if they keep this up, and actually make the playoffs.

You know how many times they are going to have to answer "after a 5-23 start, what was it that got you to the playoffs"?

[DocRI]

Serious question — at what point do we start beating the drums for SVG as both Coach of the Year AND Executive of the Year? 'Cuz if he takes a non-playoff team he inherited without their own lottery pick that started 5-23 to the playoffs? Yeah, there's one hell of an argument that he deserves both awards!

[need4detroit]

Lets just get into the playoffs first.

[whitehops]

I now believe this team is absolutely better then their record. This team is around a 50 win team, but if they want to advance and be a tough out, they have to upgrade the SF position.

we're starting to play KCP as SF more now, and especially to end games. we have a lineup of Jennings-meeks-KCP-Jerebko-Monroe which imo is our best lineup, although you could switch Monroe with Drummond against certain teams.

Serious question — at what point do we start beating the drums for SVG as both Coach of the Year AND Executive of the Year? 'Cuz if he takes a non-playoff team he inherited without their own lottery pick that started 5-23 to the playoffs? Yeah, there's one hell of an argument that he deserves both awards!

I think he's gonna be hard-pressed to beat Mike Budenholzer for COY, especially if the hawks win close to 60 games (they're on pace for 64 right now).

executive of the year is totally up for grabs, I can't even think of an(other) outstanding candidate.

[Spider156]

Lets just get into the playoffs first.

That's pretty much all I'm focused on right now. People are thinking too far.

[bballnmike]

"If the Pistons keep playing like this, we'll have to consider them serious contenders for the conference finals..."

I think they are saying we'd be a contender to make the ECF, not necessarily win it, but point still stands.

[treefi]

The important thing is we're trending the right way and there is an assumption we'll continue to improve as the season progresses. We've come such a long way in such a short period of time that to stagnate now would feel like a disappointment. Kinda unfair considering where we were a month ago, but expectations sorta go with the territory.

I couldn't agree more. Expectations can change very quickly, and I hope this team is ready for the Avalanche of attention that is going to come their way, if they keep this up, and actually make the playoffs.

You know how many times they are going to have to answer "after a 5-23 start, what was it that got you to the playoffs"?

.. and everyone will answer: "Stan cut Jo-- When Stan traded for Anthony Tolliver."

[treefi]

Serious question — at what point do we start beating the drums for SVG as both Coach of the Year AND Executive of the Year? 'Cuz if he takes a non-playoff team he inherited without their own lottery pick that started 5-23 to the playoffs? Yeah, there's one hell of an argument that he deserves both awards!

Hah he should win both if we do make the playoffs. Kerr or Budenholzer will likely win COY though.

[Blomberg]

Wow expectations got out of hand quickly! I`d still be happy with a playoff spot and a hard fought 1st round exit.

[Lucidity]

We would have been a top 3 or 4 team in the East if we had got rid of the cancer last Summer instead of letting him destroy our first 2 months.

[The_Irony]

Wow expectations got out of hand quickly! I`d still be happy with a playoff spot and a hard fought 1st round exit.

Seriously...people need to relax