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NBA Power Rankings: Spurs on top? Kawhi not

By Brandon Jefferson

Mar 4, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Dec 23, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) celebrates after making a three point basket during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Pistons 33-35

Last week: 5-4
Last rank: 16th

Speaking of Stan Van Gundy, the team that he coaches now is up next. Detroit has been underwhelming for much of the season. It reached the point where the threat of serious changes to the roster loomed over the heads of everyone in the organization. Reggie Jackson’s return to the court in December didn’t really have the type of impact that many had expected. Instead, it looked like a throwback to the tumultuous time that Jackson had to start the year in his last season in Oklahoma City. News of dissension amongst teammates leaked out (Andre Drummond was rumored to be the main supporter of Jackson for the Pistons) and it seemed that a move was a matter of when and not if.

Yet, they choose to stand pat at the deadline this year and it looks like it’s actually paying off in the long run. Drummond, Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Markieff Morris, and Tobias Harris is a very solid five-some and should definitely be good enough to have the Pistons sitting higher in the Eastern Conference standings. This recent upswing in play is coming right in time for Detroit. Any movement upward for Detroit could be the difference between a four or five-game series against a team like Cleveland and Boston or pushing a team like Washington to the brink in an opening series. These same Pistons showed that when locked in they can be a tough opponent with their play against the Cavaliers last postseason and now they have a shot at recapturing that same magic as the end of the season moves closer and closer.

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