Team outlook for 2015 (and next off-season)

[blueadams]

C:

Drummond's the best young big man in the game next to Anthony Davis. I think his all-around development will continue as scheduled this season. He should have a lot more space to work with, with Monroe gone, and shooters at the 4. The thing I'm most interested in seeing this season is the Reggie Jackson-Andre Drummond pick-and-roll game. That could be really special. But I'm also interested to see how Andre's low-post moves develop, as he should get a lot more one on one matchups. And I'm also interested to see if we get out and run a little more, with this roster, as Andre really is a fantastic athlete for his size. Guessing he'll continue to improve as a defender as well. Guessing he'll continue to improve on the glass. Hoping he'll do a better job staying out of foul trouble. Hoping he'll improve his stroke at the line. Hoping he'll improve as a passer out of the low post. Not really going to ever expect a lot out of him as a jump-shooter. Not much is known about this Aron Baynes. He started 17 games for the Spurs last season. He's 28, a foreigner, with 3 years NBA experience. He's an excellent FT shooter. He's got good size. He's improved in each of his NBA seasons. I'd imagine that we're just going to get smart, solid play out of him. Nothing extraordinary. And that's fine. As for the third center, I'd imagine it will be Joel Anthony, or someone else along those lines, and that's fine too.

PF:

Ilyasova's the man here. He's got a great outside stroke to open up the court. He's got fine size. Some toughness and competitiveness. Won't be a total wuss on defense or the glass. I like him. Love what Tolliver brings to the position off the bench, in terms of energy and shooting. Marcus Morris could log some minutes here, and bring more of the same. Even Stanley Johnson could log some minutes here as well, and also bring more of the same. This position should be okay.

SF:

Though he might not start, Johnson's the man here. Expect him to bring a great deal of toughness, fire, competitiveness and effort to the team. Great defense. Great rebounding. Hopefully good outside shooting. And hopefully he'll be able to get points in other ways as well, against real NBA talent. Marcus Morris is a nice guy to have spotting him as he develops. Maybe Danny Granger is revitalized? Maybe not. This position should be alright.

SG:

The KCP show, here. Really hope he continues to develop. As a defender. As an outside shooter. And as an all-around scorer. We'll see. Big year for KCP. We'll probably have a decent draft pick and a lot of FA dollars to work with next summer. And this'll probably be a position we upgrade unless he really blows us away. Meeks is just so streaky. Hopefully he'll be hot often enough to provide some instant offense off the bench for us this season. Brandon Jennings, essentially, could play the same role (with Reggie Jackson guarding 2's). Neither can really be out there matched up against a strong scorer, though. Maybe this Hilliard kid will be a pleasant surprise, ala Dinwiddie last season. Imagine Bullock will just be released.

PG:

Reggie. Really looking forward to seeing his development this season. IMO, he has the potential to be the best defensive point guard in the league. He and Dre's P&R game could be really special. His penetrate and dish game could be really special surrounded by shooters. And hopefully he'll continue to grow, as a finisher at the rim, and as a jump shooter. Jennings can provide some instant offense - and an outside shot - off the bench matched up against poor scorers. Dinwiddie can keep things going in any situation.

...

I guess there's just a lot of "IF"s with this team. Dre's development. Reggie's. KCP's. Stanley's. Ilyasova/Morris.
...Is Dre really going to become a guy we can build a team around - - - I think so.
...Is Reggie going to prove he's an NBA championship-caliber point guard - - - I'm in wait and see mode, but optimistic.
...Is KCP going to become a lights out shooter - - - Wait and see mode, not as optimistic.
...Is Stanley going to shoot well enough to be a 3 here, or is he better suited to be a Draymond-4 - - - I think the latter.

Going into this season. Next off-season, I'm still hoping for lights out shooters and solid defenders at the two and three spots. In FA and the draft. Top priorities. I see Stanley as more of a Draymond-4 here. And I see KCP as more of a bench guy.

2015-2016 Detroit Pistons:

C: Drummond - - - Baynes
PF: Johnson - - - Ilyasova
SF: FA/1st - - - Morris
SG: FA/1st - - - KCP, Meeks
PG: Jackson - - - Dinwiddie

Depending on who the additions are, we could be building something nice..

[Montanabadboy]

I don't really see Johnson as a power forward, except in spot minutes if we go small ball. I think he'll be our 3 going forward, with his handles and vision. I just hope for continued all-around improvement from him, and that he can be an impact defender right out of the gate. His effort and hustle should make that a strong possibility. Also, I wouldn't sleep on Bullock, I think the young man has some game and SVG will get the best out if him. Otherwise, I agree, plenty of ifs, but also some reasons to be hopeful and cautiously optimistic. It's nice to finally see some direction and look like something is being built here. Can't wait.

[rgt584]

Drummond/ Ilayasova/ Haynes / Anthony can play 5 spot
Ilayasova / Granger/ Tolliver/ Morris/ Miller can play 4
Granger /Morris /Johnson/ Miller/ Tolliver/ Martin can play 3
Meeks/ Jackson/ Hilliard / Pope/ Bullock can play 2
Jackson/ Meeks / Jennings/ Lucas/ Dinwiddie can play 1

We are very versatile in our forward rotations and very skilled in our guard play. To me the best players in terms of pure skillet are Ilayasova, Morris, Meeks, Granger, Jackson because of scoring capability. I would not be surprised if all 5 of these players are on the court for a lot of minutes too even though some of them will not start a game. Ilayasova, Morris and also even Granger have both inside-outside scoring combined with Meeks and Jackson perimeter scoring and ball handling makes a possible very offensively dangerous lineup as well as defensive switching capable also. Also can mix and match at the 3 and 4 very well with others. We have a really good team on paper and hopefully show it on the floor too.