Keys to the Pistons 2013-14 season - top 5 for 50

[Brapman]

What are the top five things you guys (we have no gals do we? - making us somewhat repellant to them obviously!) think have to happen for the Pistons to have a 50 win season?

[Brapman]

1) Drummond, Smith and Monroe proving they are a good fit, either with 2 of the 3 on the court or all 3 on the court.

2) Jennings taking a big step forward as a high quality PG

3) Datome, KCP, Singler, Billups, CV, Jennings: in the majority of our games, at least 2 of these guys having strong 3 pt shooting games.

4) Drummond personally taking a big step forward as a young guy on the road to superstar status

5) Monroe proving he's a borderline all-star.

[Clarity]

"“It was more so the media that was scratching their head about it, but we knew we could make it work. With a little work and a little practice, I’m a really good jump shooter and I can space the floor really well."

-Josh

so heres the thing Josh.... lol

[mercury]

All this time Josh was hiding this "good jump shot".... now it's time to unleash the 3 beast... coming to an arena near you the... The raining 3s Smoove Move Groove

[Q00]

I'd say health is the main factor. The talent is here and it doesn't look like chemistry is going to be an issue. I think they will figure out how to make it work. Just gotta make sure to keep the main guys healthy and on the court.

I don't get what you guys are talking about with Josh though. Unless I misread his quote, he said "with a little a work and practice.... I'm a good jumpshooter". He didn't say he's always been a good jumpshooter. He's saying he worked at it over the summer and we are now seeing the fruits of his labor.

[zeebneeb]

There is one key, and that's defensive communication. If the perimeter guys, funnel their men correctly into the paint, we should be, one of the best defensive teams in the league.

If we do that, and do it well, we will win 50+games.

Problem with that, is that kind of attention to detail takes time. The practice run is gone now, and Jennings is coming in cold.

The early part of this season is going to be B-R-U-T-A-L.

Cant wait to see this team play their 30th game of the season.

[joseph mamah]

"“It was more so the media that was scratching their head about it, but we knew we could make it work. With a little work and a little practice, I’m a really good jump shooter and I can space the floor really well."

-Josh

so heres the thing Josh.... lol

[roc]

we have no gals do we?

2 that I know of off the top of my head.

[DetroitPistons]

"“It was more so the media that was scratching their head about it, but we knew we could make it work. With a little work and a little practice, I’m a really good jump shooter and I can space the floor really well."

-Josh

so heres the thing Josh.... lol

People rip on Smith for comments like that but I love his confidence. If he starts losing confidence then his shooting will REALLY become something to worry about. The fact is, we need Smith taking those 3's to keep the defense honest, even if he hits them at an average or just below average rate, and when's he taking them I want him to be the most confident guy on the floor.

[vic]

1. Coach Cheeks having a winning strategy and sticking with it. The team's talent and obvious strength is paint play, but he needs to keep 3 point shooters out there to maximize their success. That means if Bynum or Stuckey is playing the 1, you need 2 of: KCP, Singler, Datome, or Harrelson on the floor. Dark horse 3 point shooter is Jerebko, his shot has been pretty good this preseason.

2. Jennings improving his shot selection and becoming a pass first pg. Also hitting more 3s and learning from Chauncey.

3. Smith refusing to lead the team in shots taken, but only launching 3s when hes wide open. Smith choosing to lead the team in defensive stops.

4. Billups basically being the coach on the floor and team leader.

5. Drummond not getting injured and keeping on doing what he's doing. Monroe not getting injured and continuing to lead the team in shot attempts, improving on D.

[joseph mamah]

1. Jennings has to score more efficiently, keep our bigs happy and put in effort on D.

2. Dre needs to play 30+ minutes, take a step offensively and play like a legit D anchor.

3. Moose needs to improve his mid-range game, play solid D and become more of a facilitator out of the high and low post.

4. KCP needs to take the starting SG job and play well enough to be in the rookie of the year discussion.

5. Chauncey and Datome need to stay healthy and play well.

we pretty much know what we're getting out of Smith, so I left him off the list, but his ability to mesh with Dre/Moose is key as well obviously.

[BadMofoPimp]

Chemistry.

[sc8581]

Trading Monroe or bringing him off the bench. I'm fairly comfortable with everything else except maybe defensive communication like Zeeb said but I think that will come around quickly even if they have a rough start. It's not that complicated when you have guys like Drummond and Smith patrolling the paint, Jennings had Sanders behind him last year so he shouldn't be completely oblivious to the expected schemes.

[E-Z]

1. Rebounding: Detroit has been one of the worst rebounding teams in the league for a few seasons and running. This is in part to reason #2.

2. Perimeter defense: The addition of Smith and KCP should provide some consistency here. Are they enough? Will Jennings stop gambling in the lanes on every pass?

3. Turnovers: Detroit will lose just as many games as they win if not more if they can't protect the ball. Josh Smith and Greg Monroe may have to cut down on usage and the guards will have to step it up offensively.

4. Perimeter shooting: If Smith can be a consistent corner 3 threat, then I'll be excited. If not, Detroit will have to find their points in transition against stout defensive teams like Chicago.

5. Dumping cancerous players: Stuckey and Charlie just need to go. I wouldn't say they're cancers, but we all know their contributions to the team are on a ticking clock. I'd rather be done with them and focus on more immediate concerns, like actually contending for a playoff spot.

[Minas]

1. Jennings improving shot selection

2. Smith improving shot selection

3. Monroe developing a consistent mid range jumper which should allow he, Smith and Dre to play together.

4. Cheeks doing a good job as coach, I remember a lot of people were very low on him before the hire so let's hope that he isn't another dud

5. Defence - if this team is going to be successful it should be due to our defense. We have plus defenders in most positions but we need a good team system that everybody buys into.

[dVs33]

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.

[Clarity]

All this time Josh was hiding this "good jump shot".... now it's time to unleash the 3 beast... coming to an arena near you the... The raining 3s Smoove Move Groove

"“It was more so the media that was scratching their head about it, but we knew we could make it work. With a little work and a little practice, I’m a really good jump shooter and I can space the floor really well."

-Josh

so heres the thing Josh.... lol

Great work guys lol

People rip on Smith for comments like that but I love his confidence. If he starts losing confidence then his shooting will REALLY become something to worry about. The fact is, we need Smith taking those 3's to keep the defense honest, even if he hits them at an average or just below average rate, and when's he taking them I want him to be the most confident guy on the floor.

I admire his confidence, hes completely delusional but confident.

[Warspite]

Stuckey/CV being traded for a #2 option backcourt player.

[sc8581]

Stuckey/CV being traded for a #2 option backcourt player.

You think you're getting that type of player for those 2?

[Warspite]

Stuckey/CV being traded for a #2 option backcourt player.

You think you're getting that type of player for those 2?

No I wouldnt but then again I didnt think I could get Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown or Charles Barkley for Jeff Hornacek. Surely if I can trade Joe Barely Cares for Robert Parish and Kevin McHale or Vlade Divac for Kobe Bryant theres always a possibility of trading those 2 for something.

Dumars traded 17mil in expireings and 2 mid 1sts for Sheed.


I think the Pistons are as close to 50Ws as Dumars is close to trading those 2 for a stud wing player.