Fansided

Midseason Grades for Each NBA Team

By Cody Williams

Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) gets calmed down by teammates forward Stanley Johnson (3) and forward Anthony Tolliver (43) after committing a technical foul during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Spurs win 109-99. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) gets calmed down by teammates forward Stanley Johnson (3) and forward Anthony Tolliver (43) after committing a technical foul during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Spurs win 109-99. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Pistons. B+. player. 64. . 23-19. 6th East

With the Detroit Pistons starting to resemble the vision of president of basketball operations and head coach Stan Van Gundy, the expectations in the Motor City were a mixed bag coming into the season. However, the Pistons have come out of the gate in the 2015-16 NBA season as one of the more pleasant surprises in the league. Though they have been somewhat inconsistent, they have shown that they are one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference when they are playing to their potential.

A big part of the Pistons taking a step forward through the first half of the season has been the emergence of center Andre Drummond as an unquestioned All-Star in this league. His ability to both score and rebound has been incredible to this point in the season along with the progression of guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris have really put Detroit in the position to make some noise in the East this season if they continue getting better as the season moves forward.

The pieces for the Pistons to play at this level were there from the start, but the question was whether or not things would work out as planned in Detroit. At the midway point in the season, they have and the Pistons deserve credit for their early-season successes.

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