NBA: Grading each team’s 2014-2015 season

A-. <p>I feel confident in saying that the Pistons underachieved in 2014-2015. In fairness, Detroit actually performed as many envisioned during a portion of the season.</p> <p>The Pistons made the controversial decision to simply wave forward Josh Smith (under the stretch provision) in late December, and at the time, Detroit was just 5-23. Since that time, the Pistons are effectively a .500 team with a 26-27 record, and that is far more in line with their preseason baseline than the overall picture as a 50-loss team.</p> <p>Still, Detroit’s talent level suggests that they should have been much better even with Smith was on the premises. Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe simply aren’t a fit together, and Drummond saw some visible regression on the offensive end, perhaps as a result. The Pistons should be given a bit of grace given the season-ending injury to their best guard in Brandon Jennings, but in the same breath, Jennings shouldn’t be the best guard on a playoff roster in 2015, and that has to be taken into account.</p> <p>Stan Van Gundy has full and complete power over the roster and that has its downfalls. SVG will have the opportunity to tweak things in an effort to more competently build around Drummond and a lottery pick moving forward, but this season didn’t go according to plan, and Josh Smith can’t take <em>all</em> of the blame.</p>. 5th. Central Division, Eastern Conference. DETROIT PISTONS