Central Division is the best in the NBA

[AnnArborpiston]

Looking like the central has no weak teams now that the Pacers and Bucks have got their team chemistry together. Means we have less easy wins on the schedule, but I think we're the type of team who plays up against better teams, and lose the supposed easy games.

Gonna be a fun season (few years) to test our boys and get them battle hardened for playoff basketball!

[Snakebites]

I figured this would be a very difficult division to be in this year, as all 4 of our opponents were either already good or got better.

It will make it more challenging for us to make the playoffs. Can only hope we're up to it.

[bstein14]

Cavs have won 5 in a row, Bucks 4 in a row, Pacers 3 in a row... only division in the NBA that currently has all 5 team at .500 or above. Will be interesting to see how sustainable that is, or if a few teams will fall off. I would imagine that .500+ would get you in the playoffs so that would leave just 3 spots for teams from other divisions, and division winners are locks (likely Toronto and Atlanta but there is still a ton of ball to be played) so that would leave just one other spot if the teams in the central can continue to play .500+ ball.

[Snakebites]

On paper we're probably the 5th best team in this division.

On paper doesn't always traslante to actual record, though, so here's hoping.

[zeebneeb]

On paper we're probably the 5th best team in this division.

On paper doesn't always traslante to actual record, though, so here's hoping.

What? On paper leads me to believe you mean talent correct?

[Snakebites]

On paper we're probably the 5th best team in this division.

On paper doesn't always translate to actual record, though, so here's hoping.

What? On paper leads me to believe you mean talent correct?

Thats correct.

Jabari Parker's return and Giannis's emergence put Milwaukee a cut above us in that regard, and darned if it sure doesn't look like Paul George is back too.

Both teams are also well coached. Milwaukee has some spacing issues, but they should be able to work them out in ways we really weren't able to since they've at least got a couple of starters that can shoot a little, and Indiana's only issue is that their front court is a bit small, but man, sure looks like Myles Turner isn't going to take as long to develop as originally thought.

Our roster fits together better than any roster since 2007-08, but the reality is we're still short on quality players. Depth leaves a lot to be desired, and IMO Morris and Ilyasova are good backup type players. We aren't short solid backups. We're short 2 starting caliber forwards- Ily and Morris are quality backups.

Still don't know which KCP we're going to get on any given night either.

[DetroitPistons]

I figured this would be a very difficult division to be in this year, as all 4 of our opponents were either already good or got better.

It will make it more challenging for us to make the playoffs. Can only hope we're up to it.

The Pacers, Bucks, and Bulls all got significantly worse imo. The pacers lost both of their starting big men and have substituted defense for offense, losing their identity in the process. The Bucks have also taken a huge step back. The MCW trade will show to be a bad one now that we have a full season to see the results. Also, their defense sucks, which was to be expected when you have Monroe and Giannis as your rim protectors, and they can't shoot. The loss of Thibs was a MAJOR blow to the Bulls as well. They no longer scare me because they don't know how to defend anymore and their offense isn't all that great either.

Also, for anyone pointing to MIL's 4 game win streak as evidence for their revival, let me point out that those 4 wins were against BKN x2, NYK, and PHI.... Perhaps the easiest 4 game stretch imaginable.

[Snakebites]

^The Pacers are significantly worse only if you are comparing them to the team they were 2 years ago....

David West is a loss, but Hibbert was hurting that team last year. They have a different identity but they're still a contender for a late playoff spot. They're improved from last year simply by virtue of having Paul George back, and Paul George based on the last couple games looks like he's back for real.

Bulls will be just fine, Hoiberg will be as good a coach as Thibs was. They allow more points than they did before mostly because they're playing faster. They are still capable of getting stops when they need to. I think they'll be a comparable team to what they were last year, might even wind up a little better than last year.

We'll agree to disagree on the Bucks. I don't see how you can possibly rationalize them getting worse.

[DetroitPistons]

On paper we're probably the 5th best team in this division.

On paper doesn't always translate to actual record, though, so here's hoping.

What? On paper leads me to believe you mean talent correct?

Thats correct.

Jabari Parker's return and Giannis's emergence put Milwaukee a cut above us in that regard, and darned if it sure doesn't look like Paul George is back too.

Both teams are also well coached. Milwaukee has some spacing issues, but they should be able to work them out in ways we really weren't able to since they've at least got a couple of starters that can shoot a little, and Indiana's only issue is that their front court is a bit small, but man, sure looks like Myles Turner isn't going to take as long to develop as originally thought.

Our roster fits together better than any roster since 2007-08, but the reality is we're still short on quality players. Depth leaves a lot to be desired, and IMO Morris and Ilyasova are good backup type players. We aren't short solid backups. We're short 2 starting caliber forwards- Ily and Morris are quality backups.

Still don't know which KCP we're going to get on any given night either.

Parker and Giannis are still puppies who have a ton of growing to do. MIL has some good players but their defense was worst in the league last I heard. Monroe, Giannis, and MCW are either poor or non shooters all together. Parker is their other shooter but he is basically a rookie coming off a major injury. Their spacing flat out sucks and combining that with poor interior (and overall thus far) defense is a scary bad combination.

Indiana's only issue is that they are a little small??? That's a downplay if I've ever seen one. Their front court was obliterated this offseason to the point where they needed to force PG to play PF. Their only other quality big man is Turner, who is a rookie albeit a promising one. Other than PG they have a bottom 10 PG in Hill and undersized scorer with limited range in Ellis.

Jackson and Drummond are emerging as allstar quality players early on already, KCP has shown obvious improvements, Morris has stepped up as a secondary go-to scorer with good defense and rebounding, and our other role players have looked solid albeit inconsistent. Once Jennings gets back healthy (and maybe Meeks) our depth will suddenly look much better too. Throw in the fact that SVG is a better coach than Vogel and a MUCH better coach than Kidd and I can't see how you can so easily place MIL and IND ahead of us.

[DetroitSho]

What? On paper leads me to believe you mean talent correct?

Thats correct.

Jabari Parker's return and Giannis's emergence put Milwaukee a cut above us in that regard, and darned if it sure doesn't look like Paul George is back too.

Both teams are also well coached. Milwaukee has some spacing issues, but they should be able to work them out in ways we really weren't able to since they've at least got a couple of starters that can shoot a little, and Indiana's only issue is that their front court is a bit small, but man, sure looks like Myles Turner isn't going to take as long to develop as originally thought.

Our roster fits together better than any roster since 2007-08, but the reality is we're still short on quality players. Depth leaves a lot to be desired, and IMO Morris and Ilyasova are good backup type players. We aren't short solid backups. We're short 2 starting caliber forwards- Ily and Morris are quality backups.

Still don't know which KCP we're going to get on any given night either.

Parker and Giannis are still puppies who have a ton of growing to do. MIL has some good players but their defense was worst in the league last I heard. Monroe, Giannis, and MCW are either poor or non shooters all together. Parker is their other shooter but he is basically a rookie coming off a major injury. Their spacing flat out sucks and combining that with poor interior (and overall thus far) defense is a scary bad combination.

Indiana's only issue is that they are a little small??? That's a downplay if I've ever seen one. Their front court was obliterated this offseason to the point where they needed to force PG to play PF. Their only other quality big man is Turner, who is a rookie albeit a promising one. Other than PG they have a bottom 10 PG in Hill and undersized scorer with limited range in Ellis.

Jackson and Drummond are emerging as allstar quality players early on already, KCP has shown obvious improvements, Morris has stepped up as a secondary go-to scorer with good defense and rebounding, and our other role players have looked solid albeit inconsistent. Once Jennings gets back healthy (and maybe Meeks) our depth will suddenly look much better too. Throw in the fact that SVG is a better coach than Vogel and a MUCH better coach than Kidd and I can't see how you can so easily place MIL and IND ahead of us.

Great post

[engelbert321]

On paper we're probably the 5th best team in this division.

On paper doesn't always traslante to actual record, though, so here's hoping.

On paper, Milwaukee's wins are against NYK, PHI, and BKN (2x). Not very impressive.

[Spider156]

Cavs have won 5 in a row, Bucks 4 in a row, Pacers 3 in a row... only division in the NBA that currently has all 5 team at .500 or above. Will be interesting to see how sustainable that is, or if a few teams will fall off. I would imagine that .500+ would get you in the playoffs so that would leave just 3 spots for teams from other divisions, and division winners are locks (likely Toronto and Atlanta but there is still a ton of ball to be played) so that would leave just one other spot if the teams in the central can continue to play .500+ ball.

Division winners aren't locks anymore. That rule is changed this year. It's all about the record now. So you can have a whole division not going to the Playoffs.

[Spider156]

I'd say it goes...

Cleveland
Detroit
Chicago
Milwaukee
Indiana

As far as I can tell we beat Chicago. It was our homecourt but we did beat them fair and square and they can say the same thing. I'd say we're equal to them and we'll probably be around each other in the standings. I don't understand why people are discounting Drummond. He's better the Paul George. I'd take Drummond over Paul George and I think anyone in the league would too even without his injury. Same goes with Milwaukee and Chicago. Kyrie Irving? I'm not sure. I think I'll take the RARE big man instead of the star guard like how people don't argue taking Olajuwon over Jordan. I don't ever hear that argument. Fans are just used to losing and are being cautious with what they're saying. Here's some truth... We're a hurt team. Jennings and Meeks are consistent scorers and they're not playing right now. We're 4-1 against teams that have an overall record of 18-7 I believe. Guys, this is a different team and you're seeing a future HOFer unfold in your eyes. Nobody is going to stop Drummond. He's 22 years old Go ahead and call me a homer but I think this team is a lock for the Playoffs and I'm tired of lowering my expectations because of the past.

[Blkbrd671]

Looking like the central has no weak teams now that the Pacers and Bucks have got their team chemistry together. Means we have less easy wins on the schedule, but I think we're the type of team who plays up against better teams, and lose the supposed easy games.

Gonna be a fun season (few years) to test our boys and get them battle hardened for playoff basketball!

Pacers i think will come back down to earth as season goes on. I think the bucks will make a trade for more shooting. The teams that will last through the season are the teams with depth built around defense. Oh would you look at that............DEEEETROOOOIIIIT

[tmorgan]

^The Pacers are significantly worse only if you are comparing them to the team they were 2 years ago....

David West is a loss, but Hibbert was hurting that team last year. They have a different identity but they're still a contender for a late playoff spot. They're improved from last year simply by virtue of having Paul George back, and Paul George based on the last couple games looks like he's back for real.

Bulls will be just fine, Hoiberg will be as good a coach as Thibs was. They allow more points than they did before mostly because they're playing faster. They are still capable of getting stops when they need to. I think they'll be a comparable team to what they were last year, might even wind up a little better than last year.

We'll agree to disagree on the Bucks. I don't see how you can possibly rationalize them getting worse.

I know you like to be the voice of reason around here, Snakebites, but if you honestly think the Pacers have more talent on their roster than the Pistons, I think you're taking things from "reason" to "hater". They are more experienced, and it's not out of the realm of possibility they'll win more games, but there's just no way you can call that a better roster.

They beat us because our offense was poor and Stuckey had one of his good nights. They do have the best player on either roster as of today, but George isn't far in front of Dre in that regard, and you can't tell me you like the rest of their starting five over ours, can you? Or the bench? OK, the bench is debatable with how things have started here.

The Cavs are better. The Bulls are a bit of a mess with Rose but are probably better. Milwaukee is a tossup -- there's a lot of talent there, but the fit remains to be seen, and MCW is a bum. Indiana, though? C'mon.

[Snakebites]

^The Pacers are significantly worse only if you are comparing them to the team they were 2 years ago....

David West is a loss, but Hibbert was hurting that team last year. They have a different identity but they're still a contender for a late playoff spot. They're improved from last year simply by virtue of having Paul George back, and Paul George based on the last couple games looks like he's back for real.

Bulls will be just fine, Hoiberg will be as good a coach as Thibs was. They allow more points than they did before mostly because they're playing faster. They are still capable of getting stops when they need to. I think they'll be a comparable team to what they were last year, might even wind up a little better than last year.

We'll agree to disagree on the Bucks. I don't see how you can possibly rationalize them getting worse.

I know you like to be the voice of reason around here, Snakebites, but if you honestly think the Pacers have more talent on their roster than the Pistons, I think you're taking things from "reason" to "hater". They are more experienced, and it's not out of the realm of possibility they'll win more games, but there's just no way you can call that a better roster.

They beat us because our offense was poor and Stuckey had one of his good nights. They do have the best player on either roster as of today, but George isn't far in front of Dre in that regard, and you can't tell me you like the rest of their starting five over ours, can you? Or the bench? OK, the bench is debatable with how things have started here.

The Cavs are better. The Bulls are a bit of a mess with Rose but are probably better. Milwaukee is a tossup -- there's a lot of talent there, but the fit remains to be seen, and MCW is a bum. Indiana, though? C'mon.

I can tell you I like the Pacers backcourt more than ours. Monta Ellis will take some figuring out for that team, he hasn't played that well yet, but I think they'll be able to make that workable. I can also tell you that I think George looks like he's back to his old self, and his old self was a top 10 player in this league. I love Dre as much as the next guy, but he's not there yet. I also think they're going to realize Myles Turner needs starters minutes soon, and once they do their front court will respectable.

We may very well wind up being a better team than either Indiana and Milwaukee on the floor, which is what matters the most. But I DO consider both of those teams more talented than ours, which is what I meant by "on paper".

I do not believe being better than Cleveland and Chicago is a realistic goal, though, and if people are placing us on that level they're probably getting to excited about a small sample size.

I have no interest in even addressing the "hater" comment. That's not even an allegation I feel the need to defend myself from.

[tmorgan]

You truly like George Hill and Chucker Ellis over Reggie and KCP? OK, well, at least we've found the source of our difference in opinion, then. Please don't tell me you like Miles and Mahinmi over Morris and Ilyasova.

[DetroitPistons]

You truly like George Hill and Chucker Ellis over Reggie and KCP? OK, well, at least we've found the source of our difference in opinion, then. Please don't tell me you like Miles and Mahinmi over Morris and Ilyasova.

Yeah I can't believe anyone would take Hill and Ellis over RJ and KCP... That's astounding. Hill is a glorified 3 and D player and Ellis is a midranged chucker who is undersized, a horrible defender, and has low Bball IQ.

KCP is inconsistent... that's it...

[Snakebites]

Monta Ellis was great in Dallas- made that team better beyond a doubt.

Perhaps you're still thinking of the player he was when he was playing alongside Brandon Jennings in Milwaukee....

But yeah, we've definitely found the source of our difference in opinion. And I guess you're a lot more willing to forgive KCP's inconsistency than I am. He's still got a lot to prove. I have no interest in even mentioning Imani or whatever his name even is in this discussion. He's their starter in name only with both Jordan Hill and Myles Turner getting more minutes and being better than him.

Do Pistons fans feel that there is little difference between Drummond and Paul George? Because if so, then THAT's the real source of our difference in opinion here.

This is a silly argument. I said we were probably the 5th best team on paper, meaning I consider us the least talented of the 5 central teams. I still think that. I do think that Indiana is the one you can make the strongest case to have us over, but I do give them the edge. A big edge? No. But I certainly don't see how anyone could view it as an absurd position.

[zeebneeb]

The only team on paper, or otherwise better then Detroit not only in the central but in the East is Cleveland.

That is of course my opinion as is the only player I would take over Drummond in the East is Lebron but even that is iffy because of his age right now. I firmly believe this is the year Drummond makes a massive stamp on the league.

I won't even bother addressing the Indiana backcourt thing. I don't even know how to.