Fansided

NBA Power Rankings: Cavaliers are right where they want to be

By Brandon Jefferson

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 115-101. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 115-101. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy talks to Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith (14) during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy talks to Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith (14) during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

. Detroit Pistons. 9. team. 64. Prior to tonight’s blowout defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers, the Detroit Pistons were playing some of the best basketball in the entire league. The Pistons were able to use an array of players ad lineups to match with or create mismatches with their opponent depending on whichever they felt would lend to them having more success in that game. <p>Stan Van Gundy is The Point Guard Whisperer. When it was announced that Reggie Jackson would be sidelined for a few months to begin the season a lot of folks soured on the Pistons. All SVG has done is turn Ish Smith into a quality point guard as if he were Rafer Alston in 2009.</p> <p>Van Gundy also knows a thing or two about versatile forwards. Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris are his latest attempt to reclaim the magic that was born out of the Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis duo in Van Gundy’s previous stop. If it seems like I’m comparing everything to the 2009 Orlando Magic it’s because I am. That Magic team was one of the last teams to keep LeBron James out of the NBA Finals. I think if given the chance, Van Gundy would reform that team for one more run at a title. Well, maybe he’d bring everyone but Dwight back in. Sub in Andre Drummond for Dwight and you really aren’t leaving out much. The Pistons were also the lone Eastern Conference team to really test the Cleveland Cavaliers in the postseason last year.</p> <p>Van Gundy knows what it takes to best a James-led team in the playoffs and he’s brought that formula from sunny Orlando to the rugged streets of Detroit. When Jackson comes back this team has what it takes to make a run at home court advantage and delaying any possible playoff rematch against LeBron to at least the second round.</p>.

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