Detroit Pistons NBA Preview

Season Prediction

There were three major issues that derailed the Detroit Pistons’ chances at the playoffs last season; coaching, three-point shooting, and chemistry. The Pistons nailed the hiring of Stan Van Gundy to run the organization and coach the team. A career winning record of 371-208 ranks SVG in the top five winning percentage among active coaches and 10th all time.

Not only does SVG bring a proven track record to Detroit, but his off-season acquisitions of Jodie Meeks, Caron Butler, Cartier Martin, and D.J. Augustin filled specific needs that the Pistons were desperately missing a season ago when the team ranked 29th in three-point shooting and lacked depth at the guard positions.

While it’s too early to tell whether the nucleus of players the Pistons have on their roster will be able to mesh on the court, Pistons fans should feel confident that the chemistry will be there. Unlike last season, and even the four seasons before that; there is finally a plan in place and a coach who can get the most out of his players.

The Pistons maybe didn’t make the big splash in free agency that some fans were hoping for, but the moves that were made were the right ones and the team is markedly better despite not having a first round pick in last year’s draft. There’s hope that second round pick Spencer Dinwiddie can be the point guard of the future and second and third year pros Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Andre Drummond have shown tremendous improvement in the off-season.

Unfortunately for the Pistons, they play in the same division as the Bulls and Cavaliers. There’s two playoff teams right there and one has to think that the Wizards, Raptors, and Heat will be making consecutive trips back. That leaves just three playoff spots open in an improved Eastern conference.

The biggest question mark heading into the season will be how Greg Monroe fits into SVG’s scheme and whether or not he’s in the Pistons’ long-term plans. Aside from that, the Pistons have positioned themselves to be a contender for one of the final playoff spots in the East.

Because SVG has made the playoffs every time he’s coached a team for a full season I’ll predict that the Pistons sneak into the playoffs, but this team is still a few years away from making any real noise in the East.

Prediction: Pistons go 43-39 and find a way into the playoffs

-Braden Shackelford