Fansided

5 teams who need to make the 2017 NBA Playoffs

By Noah Strackbein

Feb 23, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forwards DeMarcus Cousins (left) talks Anthony Davis before their game against the Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forwards DeMarcus Cousins (left) talks Anthony Davis before their game against the Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have had more than enough time to put this team together, and now it’s time to take this roster to the playoffs. They may not have the superstar, but there are more than enough talented players on this roster. Now, they need to start clicking so they can see what they can do in the playoffs.

Behind Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, the Pistons are sitting in the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Sadly, their overall record is still under .500 (28-31). Detroit isn’t the unit they expected to be with the pieces they’ve put together, but they don’t want to admit their attempts have failed just yet.

They aren’t headed to an NBA Finals, but they should at least be a consistent playoff team by now. It’s been four seasons since they drafted Andre Drummond to be the centerpiece. That’s more than enough time to turn a franchise into a playoff contender, but it hasn’t happened for Detroit.

It’s a do or die year for this team. They need to begin building momentum, and 2017 needs to be the starting point. Before Stan Van Gundy’s hot seat gets too hot, he needs to get this team into the playoffs. No better time to accomplish this than the present.

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