Race to the bottom: Who's our biggest competition?

[Snakebites]

Still don’t see the Thunder winning 3 more games though.

We actually need Orlando to lose to Cleveland today.

I think we can (mostly) give up on Orlando at this point, and Cleveland has a pretty hard remaining schedule outside of that game, so we need them to take it.

I think Cleveland is pretty much clear if they win tonight which, I don't see how they don't.

It's starting to narrow to Minny, Detroit and OKC for 3-5. I'm still having a hard time envisioning the Pistons not passing the Thunder so Minnesota (believe it or not) is the team I think they'll be jockeying with. That head to head is enormous, to state the obvious.
Can't beat Dallas tomorrow, that's a must lose.

A win today for Cleveland only puts them 3 wins ahead, and they could easily lose out after that. Tough schedule.

[NYPiston]

A win today for Cleveland only puts them 3 wins ahead, and they could easily lose out after that. Tough schedule.

Highly highly doubtful. They are a far cry from Houston, Orlando and OKC. This is a talented team (even without Sexton) that should almost certainly win at least 1-2 outside of the Orlando game and keep in mind that they have a home heavy schedule just like the Pistons where most young teams play better. If they lose to Orlando then yeah, time for a bit of panic, but I don't think they will.

[SamFlow]

top four picks or bust.

[Snakebites]

It's actually kind of amazing how mediocre the Celtics have gotten.

A couple of years ago they were pushing the Lebron Cavs for a trip to the finals. Now they're basically a .500 team and all that draft capital they had is gone.

I still think they have a viable way forward with that wing duo, and would definitely trade places with them, but man, mistakes have been made.

[DetroitSho]

It's actually kind of amazing how mediocre the Celtics have gotten.

A couple of years ago they were pushing the Lebron Cavs for a trip to the finals. Now they're basically a .500 team and all that draft capital they had is gone.

I still think they have a viable way forward with that wing duo, and would definitely trade places with them, but man, mistakes have been made.

Nahhh, honestly I would rather have the blank slate the Pistons are becoming than what Boston has. If they had the same amount of picks as 3 years ago, even with their current underachieving, then yeah. But nahhhh, I'm good.

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[Kp junior]

Casey going the mass-rest for the Mavs game. Might as well just extend that to the end of the season now


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[Manocad]

Go Magic!

[buzzkilloton]

Good day for the tank. 538 win projections changed some.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2021-nba-predictions/

1.Rockets 17
2.Magic 21
3.Wolves 23
4.Pistons 23
5.Thunder 24
6.Cavs 24

I think its time we have some stealth injuries knock-out vets. Guys like GrantPlumlee, Cojo, and Ellington can sit the rest the way. We gain nothing by playing them. The battle for 3-6 by projections is going to be a game we have no margin for error.

The Wolves are the team with the most talent of this bunch. Cavs are imploding right now. The scary thing is as we just seen with the Thunder even awful teams can put up surprise wins so lets hope we start benching guys.

tbh though, playing our younger guys has led to a few wins anyway. The only way we could safely tank is running Syrvidis, Cook and Okafor for 40 mins, which isn't going to happen I don't think.

Still don’t see the Thunder winning 3 more games though.

We actually need Orlando to lose to Cleveland today.

I think we can (mostly) give up on Orlando at this point, and Cleveland has a pretty hard remaining schedule outside of that game, so we need them to take it.

I've felt like they've over projected wins for the Thunder for awhile. I know they actually do take account injuries on the projections but I dont know if some of the Thunders earlier play is throwing off that or what. That said the Thunder won yesterday so who knows maybe they just figure even a bad team is XXXX % to win vs any team. I cant see 3 wins there though.

Agree with you on the Magic losing but not looking good currently. Magic are locked in on being worse then us. Cleveland falling apart down the stretch.

[Snakebites]

tbh though, playing our younger guys has led to a few wins anyway. The only way we could safely tank is running Syrvidis, Cook and Okafor for 40 mins, which isn't going to happen I don't think.

Still don’t see the Thunder winning 3 more games though.

We actually need Orlando to lose to Cleveland today.

I think we can (mostly) give up on Orlando at this point, and Cleveland has a pretty hard remaining schedule outside of that game, so we need them to take it.

I've felt like they've over projected wins for the Thunder for awhile. I know they actually do take account injuries on the projections but I dont know if some of the Thunders earlier play is throwing off that or what. That said the Thunder won yesterday so who knows maybe they just figure even a bad team is XXXX % to win vs any team. I cant see 3 wins there though.

Agree with you on the Magic losing but not looking good currently. Magic are locked in on being worse then us. Cleveland falling apart down the stretch.

Yeah Cavs getting blown out.

I don’t even think they’re tanking. I think they legitimately are that dysfunctional right now. Love 0-8. At this point they would win more by benching him. Sexton being out doesn’t help.

[NYPiston]

A win today for Cleveland only puts them 3 wins ahead, and they could easily lose out after that. Tough schedule.

Highly highly doubtful. They are a far cry from Houston, Orlando and OKC. This is a talented team (even without Sexton) that should almost certainly win at least 1-2 outside of the Orlando game and keep in mind that they have a home heavy schedule just like the Pistons where most young teams play better. If they lose to Orlando then yeah, time for a bit of panic, but I don't think they will.

Welp, I'm officially concerned about Cleveland now. Getting blown out by Orlando at home? Yikes
The cluster from 2-6 is really tight now and the Pistons are the best of this bunch. Hopefully there are a lot of "vet rest" games coming up because finishing 6th is more real than it has been all season.

[Snakebites]

A win today for Cleveland only puts them 3 wins ahead, and they could easily lose out after that. Tough schedule.

Highly highly doubtful. They are a far cry from Houston, Orlando and OKC. This is a talented team (even without Sexton) that should almost certainly win at least 1-2 outside of the Orlando game and keep in mind that they have a home heavy schedule just like the Pistons where most young teams play better. If they lose to Orlando then yeah, time for a bit of panic, but I don't think they will.

Welp, I'm officially concerned about Cleveland now. Getting blown out by Orlando at home? Yikes
The cluster from 2-6 is really tight now and the Pistons are the best of this bunch. Hopefully there are a lot of "vet rest" games coming up because finishing 6th is more real than it has been all season.

I’d been concerned since we beat them. They played several games vs bad teams and list every one.

6 is definitely possible. Not just because of the other teams. I think we’re gonna win more games we shouldn’t.

[buzzkilloton]

Highly highly doubtful. They are a far cry from Houston, Orlando and OKC. This is a talented team (even without Sexton) that should almost certainly win at least 1-2 outside of the Orlando game and keep in mind that they have a home heavy schedule just like the Pistons where most young teams play better. If they lose to Orlando then yeah, time for a bit of panic, but I don't think they will.

Welp, I'm officially concerned about Cleveland now. Getting blown out by Orlando at home? Yikes
The cluster from 2-6 is really tight now and the Pistons are the best of this bunch. Hopefully there are a lot of "vet rest" games coming up because finishing 6th is more real than it has been all season.

I’d been concerned since we beat them. They played several games vs bad teams and list every one.

6 is definitely possible. Not just because of the other teams. I think we’re gonna win more games we shouldn’t.

Pistons have shown they have the ability to beat quality teams multiple times this season. Minnesota at least has more talent then us and is showing life lately 6-4 over their last 10 games. OKC,Orl, and Cle have just given up at this point and arent going to win much more outside of playing tank teams. Hou is obv not being caught so no point mentioning them.

Its time Grant/Plumlee/Cojo sit down for the end of the year. We might still win some games without them but at least it lowers the chance of victory by a good amount.

[Snakebites]

Welp, I'm officially concerned about Cleveland now. Getting blown out by Orlando at home? Yikes
The cluster from 2-6 is really tight now and the Pistons are the best of this bunch. Hopefully there are a lot of "vet rest" games coming up because finishing 6th is more real than it has been all season.

I’d been concerned since we beat them. They played several games vs bad teams and list every one.

6 is definitely possible. Not just because of the other teams. I think we’re gonna win more games we shouldn’t.

Pistons have shown they have the ability to beat quality teams multiple times this season. Minnesota at least has more talent then us and is showing life lately 6-4 over their last 10 games. OKC,Orl, and Cle have just given up at this point and arent going to win much more outside of playing tank teams. Hou is obv not being caught so no point mentioning them.

Its time Grant/Plumlee/Cojo sit down for the end of the year. We might still win some games without them but at least it lowers the chance of victory by a good amount.

I agree. Unfortunately it’s not our call. I can live with wins if our youngsters get them. I can’t tolerate meaningless veteran driven wins, especially not at this stage.

[Snakebites]

Welp, I'm officially concerned about Cleveland now. Getting blown out by Orlando at home? Yikes
The cluster from 2-6 is really tight now and the Pistons are the best of this bunch. Hopefully there are a lot of "vet rest" games coming up because finishing 6th is more real than it has been all season.

I’d been concerned since we beat them. They played several games vs bad teams and list every one.

6 is definitely possible. Not just because of the other teams. I think we’re gonna win more games we shouldn’t.

Pistons have shown they have the ability to beat quality teams multiple times this season. Minnesota at least has more talent then us and is showing life lately 6-4 over their last 10 games. OKC,Orl, and Cle have just given up at this point and arent going to win much more outside of playing tank teams. Hou is obv not being caught so no point mentioning them.

Its time Grant/Plumlee/Cojo sit down for the end of the year. We might still win some games without them but at least it lowers the chance of victory by a good amount.

I agree. Unfortunately it’s not our call. I can live with wins if our youngsters get them. I can’t tolerate meaningless veteran driven wins, especially not at this stage.

Cleveland plays Washington twice and Indy. Those are their easiest remaining games. That’s why a win versus Orlando was so critical today.

As sorry as I am to say it, Orlando doesn’t really matter to us anymore. Strange thing to say given we’re tied with them, but I’m confident in it.

[440BB]

It's definitely time for Sirvydis to get around 20 minutes for these last games. He'll likely be with the Cruise next season so throw the kid a bone and help the tank.

[DNice68]

A win today for Cleveland only puts them 3 wins ahead, and they could easily lose out after that. Tough schedule.

Highly highly doubtful. They are a far cry from Houston, Orlando and OKC. This is a talented team (even without Sexton) that should almost certainly win at least 1-2 outside of the Orlando game and keep in mind that they have a home heavy schedule just like the Pistons where most young teams play better. If they lose to Orlando then yeah, time for a bit of panic, but I don't think they will.

Welp, I'm officially concerned about Cleveland now. Getting blown out by Orlando at home? Yikes
The cluster from 2-6 is really tight now and the Pistons are the best of this bunch. Hopefully there are a lot of "vet rest" games coming up because finishing 6th is more real than it has been all season.

Minnesota has clearly been the best of the bunch at 2-6. 6-4>3-7 the last 10 games!

[The Moose]

The way I see it, its top 4 pick or bust. The top 4 prospects being Cunningham, Green, Suggs and Mobley in some order. Kuminga seems like a 2nd tier prospect just because he seems like a big project that can't shoot and I dont think I can handle another pick like that.

With that being said, if we finish anywhere between 2-4, thats about the best I can ask for.
The odds of getting a top 4 pick are pretty even anywhere at the bottom of the lottery.

1st-3rd in the lottery odds of top 4 pick: 52%
4th place odds of top 4 pick: 48%
5th place odds of top 4 pick: 42%
6th place odds of top 4 pick: 37%

If we dont get a top 4 pick, Im honestly not overly concerned where the pick ends up/how far it falls. At that point it just comes down to scouting.

[Manocad]

Yeah, I was never one to really sweat where the Pistons finish since they can't control what other teams do. Obviously any GM has a Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, etc. in place anyway and I never bought into the doom and gloom idea that if the Pistons don't get a top 3 pick in this draft their championship hopes go down the drain. Whatever happens happens, make the best of it and move on.

[zeebneeb]

Yeah, I was never one to really sweat where the Pistons finish since they can't control what other teams do. Obviously any GM has a Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, etc. in place anyway and I never bought into the doom and gloom idea that if the Pistons don't get a top 3 pick in this draft their championship hopes go down the drain. Whatever happens happens, make the best of it and move on.

I know your acting cool, sippin' on some Pappy, smoking a cigar surrounded by your massive gun collection(typical Manocad)but deep down even you are sweating this draft.

You know it to be true.

[Manocad]

Yeah, I was never one to really sweat where the Pistons finish since they can't control what other teams do. Obviously any GM has a Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, etc. in place anyway and I never bought into the doom and gloom idea that if the Pistons don't get a top 3 pick in this draft their championship hopes go down the drain. Whatever happens happens, make the best of it and move on.

I know your acting cool, sippin' on some Pappy, smoking a cigar surrounded by your massive gun collection(typical Manocad)but deep down even you are sweating this draft.

You know it to be true.

False. Even I won’t spend the jack required to land some Pappy.

Now, a Barrett M82A1? Yeah buddy.