Pistons

[jirrit]

They Piston themselves

Trying to recycle that GOAT-and1-quote?

[NashtyNas]

Out of the playoffs is hard to imagine. I guess as a outsider it looks worse trying to play it out but they just look better and more talented this year for this to continue and miss the playoffs. There's just not enough teams better to scare me like that.

Honestly outside of Cleveland I'm not even scared of a 7 game series in the East this year. We can definitely compete and aren't that kind of a fluke.

I don't think outside the playoffs is that hard to imagine.

They have ~30 games left before the All-Star break, 12 of which are against teams they shouldn't be favored against (4 against teams they have multiple losses against already). Even if I give them 4/8 remaining wins, that leaves 18 games they can win, and assuming a modest .50 win rate for those 18 games, they are going 4/8 + 9/9 = 13/17 in the stretch before the All-Star Break.

Obviously, this is all on paper and it's quite possible they can get wins we don't expect them to - it happens every season.
But just judging based on schedule and historical performance, I don't think it's outside of the realm of possibility that they aren't in the playoff race come February 14th. In fact, if I was betting, I'd bet on the idea that they aren't in the race by that date simply because of the strength of schedule.

Other teams vying for the playoffs, namely the Heat, have a much easier schedule over that stretch.
Outside of the Cavs, Rockets, Bucks and Raptors, they play essentially all the worst teams in the NBA multiple times (Orlando, Mavs, Hornets, Kings, Nets, Bulls, Hawks, Grizzlies and many of those teams x2).

[dukes_wild]

They Piston themselves

Trying to recycle that GOAT-and1-quote?

That's the joke.

[MotownMadness]

Out of the playoffs is hard to imagine. I guess as a outsider it looks worse trying to play it out but they just look better and more talented this year for this to continue and miss the playoffs. There's just not enough teams better to scare me like that.

Honestly outside of Cleveland I'm not even scared of a 7 game series in the East this year. We can definitely compete and aren't that kind of a fluke.

I don't think outside the playoffs is that hard to imagine.

They have ~30 games left before the All-Star break, 12 of which are against teams they shouldn't be favored against (4 against teams they have multiple losses against already). Even if I give them 4/8 remaining wins, that leaves 18 games they can win, and assuming a modest .50 win rate for those 18 games, they are going 4/8 + 9/9 = 13/17 in the stretch before the All-Star Break.

Obviously, this is all on paper and it's quite possible they can get wins we don't expect them to - it happens every season.
But just judging based on schedule and historical performance, I don't think it's outside of the realm of possibility that they aren't in the playoff race come February 14th. In fact, if I was betting, I'd bet on the idea that they aren't in the race by that date simply because of the strength of schedule.

Other teams vying for the playoffs, namely the Heat, have a much easier schedule over that stretch.
Outside of the Cavs, Rockets, Bucks and Raptors, they play essentially all the worst teams in the NBA multiple times (Orlando, Mavs, Hornets, Kings, Nets, Bulls, Hawks, Grizzlies and many of those teams x2).

If we blow this next 10 games I'll feel more less optimistic. I just can't see it though, as long as the 3 ball keeps dropping we have enough talent. I get feeling pessimistic and rightfully so but I think they right the ship and still come out in that 45-48 win column.

This is also coming from I just don't see that much talent behind and right ahead of us for a big enough collapse like that. Even these teams right in our win and loss column right now are still gonna hit runs and slumps as well.

[MotownMadness]

Pistons are a playoff team but they were never as great as they looked. Detroit was a poor shooting team last year and they’re basically reverting back to their level after a hot start.

My expectations for them are probably 5-8 seed and loss on first round , unless they make a major move to improve their offense.

This is key, we have to start shooting the 3 well again. That's the difference between this years and last years team.

Drummond is just overall playing better and before this stretch we had like 4 guys shooting the 3 above 40% and were a top 3 point shooting team.

That's what has to continue cause that's how you erase these 10 point runs in a hurry like we do. Tobias going from a mid 30s 3pt shooter to a upper 40s must continue.

[Kalela]

They had a brutal schedule. They will be back to winning ways in no time. One is thing is for sure; they are a better team than they were last year.

[HoopsMalone]

The problem with the Pistons is that they are a man or two short.

They've got Drummond and Tobias who are very good players. Then they've got Jackson and Tolliver who are solid players... it pretty much drops off a cliff after that.

[HoopsMalone]

Law of averages.

That’s why I never trust early season records. People take small sample sizes too seriously.

And I still take current games with a game of salt.


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Two weeks in there was a thread claiming Kemba Waller to be the best point guard in the East. I was thinking you really have to wait until January before you get a true barometer of the season.

And here we are in week 8 and he's still neck and neck with lowry for best PG in the East

[Illmatic12]

Pistons are a playoff team but they were never as great as they looked. Detroit was a poor shooting team last year and they’re basically reverting back to their level after a hot start.

My expectations for them are probably 5-8 seed and loss on first round , unless they make a major move to improve their offense.

This is key, we have to start shooting the 3 well again. That's the difference between this years and last years team.

Drummond is just overall playing better and before this stretch we had like 4 guys shooting the 3 above 40% and were a top 3 point shooting team.

That's what has to continue cause that's how you erase these 10 point runs in a hurry like we do. Tobias going from a mid 30s 3pt shooter to a upper 40s must continue.

I don't know that Harris can continue shooting above this rate.. even if he's an improved 3pt shooter some regression is definitely in order .

Bradley was shooting lights out and he's already come down to earth a bit. Other than those two I just don't see a lot of reliable volume shooters on the roster. I think Detroit is in good position for playoffs but they probably don't have the horses to be a high-powered team. Johnson lack of spacing at the 3 is a major problem, that SF spot may have to be addressed through trade.

[DTP]

@ Washington, @ Philly, @ San Antonio, @ Milwaukee, vs Golden State, vs Boston

/thread.

[GreekAlex]

The problem with the Pistons is that they are a man or two short.

They've got Drummond and Tobias who are very good players. Then they've got Jackson and Tolliver who are solid players... it pretty much drops off a cliff after that.

Avery Bradley is streaky shooting but his defensive effort is never lacking.

I'd put him ahead of Jackson & Tolliver.

[MotownMadness]

Pistons are a playoff team but they were never as great as they looked. Detroit was a poor shooting team last year and they’re basically reverting back to their level after a hot start.

My expectations for them are probably 5-8 seed and loss on first round , unless they make a major move to improve their offense.

This is key, we have to start shooting the 3 well again. That's the difference between this years and last years team.

Drummond is just overall playing better and before this stretch we had like 4 guys shooting the 3 above 40% and were a top 3 point shooting team.

That's what has to continue cause that's how you erase these 10 point runs in a hurry like we do. Tobias going from a mid 30s 3pt shooter to a upper 40s must continue.

I don't know that Harris can continue shooting above this rate.. even if he's an improved 3pt shooter some regression is definitely in order .

Bradley was shooting lights out and he's already come down to earth a bit. Other than those two I just don't see a lot of reliable volume shooters on the roster. I think Detroit is in good position for playoffs but they probably don't have the horses to be a high-powered team. Johnson lack of spacing at the 3 is a major problem, that SF spot may have to be addressed through trade.

The Stanley Johnson situation has to be addressed. Good defender but way too much of a liability offensively. We're essentially playing 4 on 5 and he's just clanking wide open jumpers.

That's a move I could see SVG doing somewhere between now and the deadline. Even a Ariza or Wilson Chandler type of player would make a world of difference.

Gotta remember SVG will be entering the final year of his contract next year and missing the playoffs again just can't happen for him. He's been patient as far as not trading away assets like picks or youth for quick gain.

Hes gonna feel pressured this year to at least have a good 1st round series and Stanley Johnson might not make it much longer.

[clyde21]

They Piston themselves

[RCM88x]

It appears they've forgotten how to play on offense the last few games, which has probably resulted in a slippage in defense.

Will they still make the playoffs? I honestly can't say.

[dballislife]

nothing is wrong or happening, its a long season, they just settling in that 5-10 spot where they and a lot of team has potential to land

[HoopsMalone]

The problem with the Pistons is that they are a man or two short.

They've got Drummond and Tobias who are very good players. Then they've got Jackson and Tolliver who are solid players... it pretty much drops off a cliff after that.

Avery Bradley is streaky shooting but his defensive effort is never lacking.

I'd put him ahead of Jackson & Tolliver.

Bradley is one of those guys who gives great effort but it just doesn't really translate. He's too flawed as a player.

The eye test fools everyone on Bradley. The reality is he shoots a low TS% because he doesn't get to the line and shoots long 2's and has a NEGATIVE ast/to ratio. His defense has never shown up as a positive in the numbers now at either stop.

He's going to be vastly overpaid on his next deal. He's a rotation guy, not a solid starter in this league. Paying these type of guys large salaries caps your ceiling really quickly

[Mylie10]

We really need a star though who can carry a offensive load consistently. Drummond is good but he's more of a star role player that you want as your second fiddle and not your best player.

Excellent!

I also don't think Reggie Jackson is the right guy. At times he can be on, but as a team leader and guy who is making lots of important decisions on the floor, I'd move on from him as soon as possible.

And you're right about a guy who can be a number one scorer.

[Mylie10]

The problem with the Pistons is that they are a man or two short.

They've got Drummond and Tobias who are very good players. Then they've got Jackson and Tolliver who are solid players... it pretty much drops off a cliff after that.

Avery Bradley is streaky shooting but his defensive effort is never lacking.

I'd put him ahead of Jackson & Tolliver.

Way ahead. Avery Bradley is the definition of solid.

[HoopsMalone]

The problem with the Pistons is that they are a man or two short.

They've got Drummond and Tobias who are very good players. Then they've got Jackson and Tolliver who are solid players... it pretty much drops off a cliff after that.

Avery Bradley is streaky shooting but his defensive effort is never lacking.

I'd put him ahead of Jackson & Tolliver.

Way ahead. Avery Bradley is the definition of solid.

The difference between perception and reality for Avery Bradley is enormous on this board. The Celtics really upgraded with Jaylen at SG this year.

[aad]

They scheduled gets a bit easier now they can go on a run if they shots falling and they pick they defense back up