We're going to **** on the East this year

[Han Solo]

I'm calling it. I've seen some people in the GB say we will struggle to make it back to the playoffs. We will be a #2 seed and will finish higher than Boston and Toronto. No team can throw as many different lineups out there in the entire league as us. Everyone on this team is hungry and plays with a chip on their shoulder. We make a BIG leap this year and the Pistons are back. My opinion. Remember this thread.

[joedumars1]

Why they * out pist?

I could see 3-4 so why the hell not 2

[Phenomenonsense]

Oh Mario.

[Alexander]

I don't get how anyone on the GB can project a lower win total than last year's. I just don't. No matter what seed they assign us, they have to be completely ignorant of the fact that our bench went from awful to potentially great. Forget continuity, forget internal growth, forget age. Our bench improvement alone should be a tangible boost.

Shame on viewtopic.php?p=48793166#p48793166 that guy.
and viewtopic.php?p=48580450#p48580450 this guy.
and viewtopic.php?p=48536762#p48536762 this dude.
and viewtopic.php?p=48543158#p48543158 that dude.
and viewtopic.php?p=48511868#p48511868 him.

A healthy Pistons team will surpass last season's win total, period. I don't know what our ceiling is, but our floor is definitely 45+

[Snakebites]

I don't get how anyone on the GB can project a lower win total than last year's. I just don't. No matter what seed they assign us, they have to be completely ignorant of the fact that our bench went from awful to potentially great. Forget continuity, forget internal growth, forget age. Our bench improvement alone should be a tangible boost.

Shame on viewtopic.php?p=48793166#p48793166 that guy.
and viewtopic.php?p=48580450#p48580450 this guy.
and viewtopic.php?p=48536762#p48536762 this dude.
and viewtopic.php?p=48543158#p48543158 that dude.
and viewtopic.php?p=48511868#p48511868 him.

A healthy Pistons team will surpass last season's win total, period. I don't know what our ceiling is, but our floor is definitely 45+

I've got us winning a few more games than we did last year, one of the people you posted has 42-48 wins as the projection.

Do you really think that 42 wins is totally beyond the realm of possibility? An identical team two years in a row isn't necessarily going to have the exact same number of wins 2 years in a row. Is it really that crazy to put our lowest possible range at just a hair below what we did last year?

No issue disagreeing with what a lot of those projections say, but shameful? Is underselling the Pistons really a question of pride and morality?

[Alexander]

I've got us winning a few more games than we did last year, one of the people you posted has 42-48 wins as the projection.

Do you really think that 42 wins is totally beyond the realm of possibility? An identical team two years in a row isn't necessarily going to have the exact same number of wins 2 years in a row. Is it really that crazy to put our lowest possible range at just a hair below what we did last year?

No issue disagreeing with what a lot of those projections say, but shameful? Is underselling the Pistons really a question of pride and morality?

Yes. They should be castigated and put on a public registry. If that doesn't deter people, their wives should be cuckolded.

I do think that injuries could bring us below 42. If Drummond or Reggie or KCP go down we're in bad shape. If any of them had a history of durability issues, and that was cited in someone's projection, I could understand. But they don't and they didn't so I don't.

If we win less than 44 games we can drag this post up and I will apologize to those guys, fine. I don't think it's reasonable to not project an improvement.

[Blkbrd671]

I don't get how anyone on the GB can project a lower win total than last year's. I just don't. No matter what seed they assign us, they have to be completely ignorant of the fact that our bench went from awful to potentially great. Forget continuity, forget internal growth, forget age. Our bench improvement alone should be a tangible boost.

Shame on viewtopic.php?p=48793166#p48793166 that guy.
and viewtopic.php?p=48580450#p48580450 this guy.
and viewtopic.php?p=48536762#p48536762 this dude.
and viewtopic.php?p=48543158#p48543158 that dude.
and viewtopic.php?p=48511868#p48511868 him.

A healthy Pistons team will surpass last season's win total, period. I don't know what our ceiling is, but our floor is definitely 45+

I've got us winning a few more games than we did last year, one of the people you posted has 42-48 wins as the projection.

Do you really think that 42 wins is totally beyond the realm of possibility? An identical team two years in a row isn't necessarily going to have the exact same number of wins 2 years in a row. Is it really that crazy to put our lowest possible range at just a hair below what we did last year?

No issue disagreeing with what a lot of those projections say, but shameful? Is underselling the Pistons really a question of pride and morality?

I believe we were a better team with the Harris trade, or a better starting unit. With a improved bench, i think its fair to say we are trending towards improving our record. I don't think really any of the teams in the East got that much better. I think Bos and ATl essentially swapped positional places. I really don't see how you can look at the Pistons and predict they'll get worst. Everything is pointing towards a improved team

[Snakebites]

I don't get how anyone on the GB can project a lower win total than last year's. I just don't. No matter what seed they assign us, they have to be completely ignorant of the fact that our bench went from awful to potentially great. Forget continuity, forget internal growth, forget age. Our bench improvement alone should be a tangible boost.

Shame on viewtopic.php?p=48793166#p48793166 that guy.
and viewtopic.php?p=48580450#p48580450 this guy.
and viewtopic.php?p=48536762#p48536762 this dude.
and viewtopic.php?p=48543158#p48543158 that dude.
and viewtopic.php?p=48511868#p48511868 him.

A healthy Pistons team will surpass last season's win total, period. I don't know what our ceiling is, but our floor is definitely 45+

I've got us winning a few more games than we did last year, one of the people you posted has 42-48 wins as the projection.

Do you really think that 42 wins is totally beyond the realm of possibility? An identical team two years in a row isn't necessarily going to have the exact same number of wins 2 years in a row. Is it really that crazy to put our lowest possible range at just a hair below what we did last year?

No issue disagreeing with what a lot of those projections say, but shameful? Is underselling the Pistons really a question of pride and morality?

I believe we were a better team with the Harris trade, or a better starting unit. With a improved bench, i think its fair to say we are trending towards improving our record. I don't think really any of the teams in the East got that much better. I think Bos and ATl essentially swapped positional places. I really don't see how you can look at the Pistons and predict they'll get worst. Everything is pointing towards a improved team

Fans of other Eastern teams will always sell their rivals short. That's just the way it is. We're doing it too.

I believe we'll improve this year too. I just don't see why there's a need to get so emotional about other teams who have a vested interest in us not being as good predicting us short.

[Alexander]

Edit: no me importa.

[joedumars1]

SVG has only missed the playoffs once as HC I believe. That was his first year here with that Josh Smith dude. Hell we might of made it if Jennings never went down. Not sure that means our record improves, but sure in the hell seems playoffs for sure. Well unless injury. SVG is the man

[Blkbrd671]

Fans of other Eastern teams will always sell their rivals short. That's just the way it is. We're doing it too.

I believe we'll improve this year too. I just don't see why there's a need to get so emotional about other teams who have a vested interest in us not being as good predicting us short.

other than Boston, how is anyone selling their team? Pacers maybe improved.

[sfballa13]

Fans of other Eastern teams will always sell their rivals short. That's just the way it is. We're doing it too.

I believe we'll improve this year too. I just don't see why there's a need to get so emotional about other teams who have a vested interest in us not being as good predicting us short.

other than Boston, how is anyone selling their team? Pacers maybe improved.

East will be tougher next season

Cavs are a lock for #1

Boston - added a #3 pick + Al Horford - consensus #2 of the East now

Toronto even if they take a step back are still a 5-6 seed at worse

Bulls lost Rose + Gasol + Noah (who never played) and got Rondo + Wade + Robin Lopez + Valentine - I would say Wade is out to make a statement after leaving Miami they are a lock to make the playoffs

Pacers added a lot of talented pieces but I dont like Nate McMillan, dont think he fits with this new era of the NBA but they still have George who is great so I can definitely see them making the playoffs as well esp if Turner keeps up his great play

Orlando - alot of people hate on the Magic but Oladipo wasnt that good and they added Ibaka, Biyombo, Jeff Green, and DJ Augustin. I think their biggest threat is Vogel. Pacers were top 5 in defensive efficiency last season with that trash roster of theirs and Monta Ellis starting. Think about that for a minute. Orlando definitely makes the playoffs

That's six locks to make the playoffs with these teams still not even touched:

Hawks - lost Horford and Teague gained Dwight Howard - not a lock to make it but definitely in the running

Wizards - if Beal can stay healthy and that's a big if, on paper this is a playoff team esp with Markieff now more comfortable with the system etc

Heat, Bucks - both could sneak in if things go right for them

Where do the Pistons fall? Probably 4-5 hopefully

[Alexander]

Just want to throw it out there that we're the only team in the East to run it back with all five starters.

[ImHeisenberg]

Fans of other Eastern teams will always sell their rivals short. That's just the way it is. We're doing it too.

Yep. Everyone believes their team made big strides forward over the summer. Well, maybe not Kings fans.

Then the season starts and the reality of it sets in.

[Liqourish]

Fans of other Eastern teams will always sell their rivals short. That's just the way it is. We're doing it too.

I believe we'll improve this year too. I just don't see why there's a need to get so emotional about other teams who have a vested interest in us not being as good predicting us short.

other than Boston, how is anyone selling their team? Pacers maybe improved.

East will be tougher next season

Cavs are a lock for #1

Boston - added a #3 pick + Al Horford - consensus #2 of the East now

Toronto even if they take a step back are still a 5-6 seed at worse

Bulls lost Rose + Gasol + Noah (who never played) and got Rondo + Wade + Robin Lopez + Valentine - I would say Wade is out to make a statement after leaving Miami they are a lock to make the playoffs

Pacers added a lot of talented pieces but I dont like Nate McMillan, dont think he fits with this new era of the NBA but they still have George who is great so I can definitely see them making the playoffs as well esp if Turner keeps up his great play

Orlando - alot of people hate on the Magic but Oladipo wasnt that good and they added Ibaka, Biyombo, Jeff Green, and DJ Augustin. I think their biggest threat is Vogel. Pacers were top 5 in defensive efficiency last season with that trash roster of theirs and Monta Ellis starting. Think about that for a minute. Orlando definitely makes the playoffs

That's six locks to make the playoffs with these teams still not even touched:

Hawks - lost Horford and Teague gained Dwight Howard - not a lock to make it but definitely in the running

Wizards - if Beal can stay healthy and that's a big if, on paper this is a playoff team esp with Markieff now more comfortable with the system etc

Heat, Bucks - both could sneak in if things go right for them

Where do the Pistons fall? Probably 4-5 hopefully

Me and you have different definitions of "locks".

[zeebneeb]

I more or less agree with Solo on this.

With that said, I can't make any predictions with any other team in the East as so so many if then changed, and changed so dramatically I have to see them play in the preseason.

The only teams I'm pretty sure on are Miami(terrible barring Bosh at 100%)Nets (terrible) sixers (rough but they could be much better but still only win 30ish games)

I have my own initial thoughts on certain teams but I use the preseason to really see how these teams come together.

Detroit? Kept the starters together after their impressive end of season run and consistency breeds success. Unless the Pistons get a brutal opening to the season, they are going to have a white hot start.

[The Penguin]

Just want to throw it out there that we're the only team in the East to run it back with all five starters.

Did JR Smith sign somewhere other than Cleveland?

[Alexander]

Just want to throw it out there that we're the only team in the East to run it back with all five starters.

Did JR Smith sign somewhere other than Cleveland?

Not yet.
Mozgov started more games than Thompson in the regular season, and he had the majority of starts down the stretch to end the season, too: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mozgoti01/gamelog/2016/
If that doesn't count, because Thompson took the job in the playoffs, then so be it. We'll see what happens with Smith, I read somewhere that he's hoping for 15 million and that might be the hold up. If he comes back..

I will then revise my statement to: Just want to throw it out there that we're the only team in the East to run it back with all five *end of regular season* starters.
or: Just want to throw it out there that *we and the Cavs* are the only *teams* in the East to run it back with all five *playoff* starters.
Same diff. Point is, we enjoy rare continuity.

[RexRyan]

1. Cavs
2. Celtics
3. Pistons
4. Raptors
5. Pacers
6. Hawks
7. Bucks
8. Knicks


9. Wizards
10. Magic
11. Bulls
12. Hornets
13. Heat
14. Sixers
15. Nets

7-12 is a giant coin toss to me

[The Penguin]

Just want to throw it out there that we're the only team in the East to run it back with all five starters.

Did JR Smith sign somewhere other than Cleveland?

Not yet.
Mozgov started more games than Thompson in the regular season, and he had the majority of starts down the stretch to end the season, too: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mozgoti01/gamelog/2016/
If that doesn't count, because Thompson took the job in the playoffs, then so be it. We'll see what happens with Smith, I read somewhere that he's hoping for 15 million and that might be the hold up. If he comes back..

I will then revise my statement to: Just want to throw it out there that we're the only team in the East to run it back with all five *end of regular season* starters.
or: Just want to throw it out there that *we and the Cavs* are the only *teams* in the East to run it back with all five *playoff* starters.
Same diff. Point is, we enjoy rare continuity.

Considering Mozgov played 76 minutes in the playoffs (the majority of them garbage time) compared to Thompson playing 622, I think it's safe to say Thompson is the starter there.