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Let's face it, this season has been a disappointment, especially the past six weeks or so. But I think there's a reasonable chance this team can salvage the season, simply by taking a closer look at the remaining schedule.

The Pistons are 43 games into the season, with 39 remaining. Below is a breakout of the games we've played vs. the remaining schedule:

First 43 Games Breakout:
Games against opponents with a record .500 or greater: 27 (63% of games played)
Road: 24 (56%)
Home: 19 (44%)
West Road Games: 12 (28%)
Games against opponents with a record .350 or less: 8 (19%)
Games with 2 or more days of rest beforehand: 5 (excludes opening game)

Remaining 39 Games Breakout:
Games against opponents with a record .500 or greater: 21 (54%)
Road: 17 (44%)
Home: 22 (56%)
West Road Games: 3 (8%)
Games against opponents with a record .350 or less: 10 (26%)
Games with 2 or more days of rest beforehand: 9

Just by looking at the above comparisons, there is no doubt the schedule becomes easier. There's a lot of arguments as to why this team has underperformed thus far, and to blame it solely on the schedule is obviously shortsighted. However, I do think it explains part of the teams struggles.

Can this team turn it around? I really don't know, but they have a good opportunity to do so in the coming weeks. Outside of the first 3 seeds, the playoffs are still wide open. This team has plenty of time to make a run. Whether they can is another story entirely.

We lost against Brooklyn, Phoenix, Philadelphia, so easier schedule doesn't guarantee anything.

El Chivo wrote:We lost against Brooklyn, Phoenix, Philadelphia, so easier schedule doesn't guarantee anything.

True, which is why I'm not convinced they can turn it around. An easier schedule though can make a difference. Even with those nasty loses, this team also beat teams like BOS, LAC, and OKC. If this team is to make a comeback, they got a better chance playing against easier opponents. Combine this with more home games, much fewer west road games, and more games with rest beforehand, and I think there's a reasonable chance they can turn it around. No guarantees though.

I have said and continue to maintain that we have the talent to be a 45-50 win team. I don't care about the schedule. Right now it's all about culture and the difference between Reggie & Ish is alarming.

I know there are some injuries right now, but Reggie needs to be benched or traded. He's a cancer. Stanley should be starting, even if he only plays 20-25 mpg. We need to fix our defensive identity in the 1st quarter - having KCP/Stanley is a good start. Baynes also needs to be benched or traded. He is not part of our future; either get value for him now or cut your losses and move on. If Dre isn't playing with energy - bench his ass too. Superstar salary be damned; you are a professional. Act like it or get treated like the man-child you are.

I'm all for positive messages and do not generally get on board the hard-line my way or the high way train, but this team is getting away from SVG and it's time to reel it in. Anybody who doesn't wanna get on board can be benched or traded. Enough of this ****.

I feel like if RJ goes, that means Dre will pout even more. So invariably we might have to ship both unless Dre surprises me with a business professional attitude.

They're practically inseparable at this point even when they don't really complement their games too well (RJ being better with a stretch big and Dre being better with lob throwers and perimeter oriented PG).

I think at this point Stanley Johnson is playing better, he's playing more and more at SF, I think SVG has seen that is where he needs to be. He's been disruptive defensively and is a ball mover of late when on the floor, the starting groups defense is what is killing these guys, I think moving SJ to the starting lineup would balance things out, more ball movement, more defense and SJ gets minutes to develop so it's a good move for the future. Tobias Harris and RJ don't mix, Harris/Ish off the bench is potent.

I hate to say it, but I'd seriously look at trading Mook. There isn't room for Stanley, Harris, Leuer AND Morris. Harris is looking like a strong 6moy candidate as a guy who can get you 20 off the bench.

This isn't just a gut reaction to Mook being in a funk recently; his contract is very movable and could be packaged with Baynes for a legit backup 2/3 who can shoot.

Cowology wrote:I hate to say it, but I'd seriously look at trading Mook. There isn't room for Stanley, Harris, Leuer AND Morris. Harris is looking like a strong 6moy candidate as a guy who can get you 20 off the bench.

This isn't just a gut reaction to Mook being in a funk recently; his contract is very movable and could be packaged with Baynes for a legit backup 2/3 who can shoot.

Agreed, but I'm still very curious as to what bullock can bring to the team if he stays healthy. Dude definitely has the sweetest stroke on the team and can actually play a little defense.

jakebernat wrote:

Cowology wrote:I hate to say it, but I'd seriously look at trading Mook. There isn't room for Stanley, Harris, Leuer AND Morris. Harris is looking like a strong 6moy candidate as a guy who can get you 20 off the bench.

This isn't just a gut reaction to Mook being in a funk recently; his contract is very movable and could be packaged with Baynes for a legit backup 2/3 who can shoot.

Agreed, but I'm still very curious as to what bullock can bring to the team if he stays healthy. Dude definitely has the sweetest stroke on the team and can actually play a little defense.

Perhaps. But we're kinda past the point of waiting 2-3 years for 2nd round talent to develop. We need to add some win-now pieces. Otherwise we might as well blow it up and tank... which we aren't going to do.

Cowology wrote:I have said and continue to maintain that we have the talent to be a 45-50 win team. I don't care about the schedule. Right now it's all about culture and the difference between Reggie & Ish is alarming.

I know there are some injuries right now, but Reggie needs to be benched or traded. He's a cancer. Stanley should be starting, even if he only plays 20-25 mpg. We need to fix our defensive identity in the 1st quarter - having KCP/Stanley is a good start. Baynes also needs to be benched or traded. He is not part of our future; either get value for him now or cut your losses and move on. If Dre isn't playing with energy - bench his ass too. Superstar salary be damned; you are a professional. Act like it or get treated like the man-child you are.

I'm all for positive messages and do not generally get on board the hard-line my way or the high way train, but this team is getting away from SVG and it's time to reel it in. Anybody who doesn't wanna get on board can be benched or traded. Enough of this ****.

You have my sword

Cowology wrote:I hate to say it, but I'd seriously look at trading Mook. There isn't room for Stanley, Harris, Leuer AND Morris. Harris is looking like a strong 6moy candidate as a guy who can get you 20 off the bench.

This isn't just a gut reaction to Mook being in a funk recently; his contract is very movable and could be packaged with Baynes for a legit backup 2/3 who can shoot.

X2

I'd trade them for a PF. One that preferably can play some center too.
I like Bullock and Stanley off the bench backing up the wings.
Won't be many minutes once kcp gets back

Canadafan wrote:I'd trade them for a PF. One that preferably can play some center too.
I like Bullock and Stanley off the bench backing up the wings.
Won't be many minutes once kcp gets back

Leuer is the pf can play c.

Johnson is a forward.

I'm optimistic that we can get to the 6th seed with our current roster. That being said, I'm sure SVG/Bowers are chatting up everyone to see what kind of deals can be had. They will not be shy about making a move if they think it makes us better. It is really hard to say trade RJ or Mook or whoever - it really depends on what we get for them. The good thing is we have a deep (but not spectacular) team that gives us a lot of different options for trading.

If the Pistons win Wednesday against ATL then I will be on board with turning the season around and going for the playoffs. If they lose I will officially be on board for tanking and knowing that they won't I will tune out.

Pistons888 wrote:If the Pistons win Wednesday against ATL then I will be on board with turning the season around and going for the playoffs. If they lose I will officially be on board for tanking and knowing that they won't I will tune out.

Big game

theBigLip wrote:

Pistons888 wrote:If the Pistons win Wednesday against ATL then I will be on board with turning the season around and going for the playoffs. If they lose I will officially be on board for tanking and knowing that they won't I will tune out.

Big game

I guess!? Whole season is on the line.

Both pessimism and optimism should be tempered with caution. How many times in life you think you got it all figured out, and then it goes another way?

Nothing is going to change until the top 3 defenders/shooters on this team are healthy and in rhythm:
1. kCP
2. J Leuer
3. Reggie Bullock

With RJ and Drummond stating healthy.

Like it or not, this team is built with RJ/Drummond surrounded by defense and shooting.

Those are the only 3 players that both shoot AND defend at the same time. Those 3 are the most necessary players other than RJ/Drummond for this team right now.

Until then the Pistons will be up and down

Cowology wrote:I have said and continue to maintain that we have the talent to be a 45-50 win team. I don't care about the schedule. Right now it's all about culture and the difference between Reggie & Ish is alarming.

I know there are some injuries right now, but Reggie needs to be benched or traded. He's a cancer. Stanley should be starting, even if he only plays 20-25 mpg. We need to fix our defensive identity in the 1st quarter - having KCP/Stanley is a good start. Baynes also needs to be benched or traded. He is not part of our future; either get value for him now or cut your losses and move on. If Dre isn't playing with energy - bench his ass too. Superstar salary be damned; you are a professional. Act like it or get treated like the man-child you are.

I'm all for positive messages and do not generally get on board the hard-line my way or the high way train, but this team is getting away from SVG and it's time to reel it in. Anybody who doesn't wanna get on board can be benched or traded. Enough of this ****.

Our problem is the 2nd half defense.

Most sane posters would be willing to agree that there has been successful moves in the right direction so far under this management.
It would be wise to work toward continuing advancing from this point vs. panic blowups.
Are we sure that some of the improvements can not be resolved internally?
I'm not convinced that this squad has the physical restrictions limiting there defensive abilities. Are they so dumb that they will never grasp responsibilities... in other words untrainable.... no chance for improvement?
We may want to think twice about determining young players ultimate ceiling.