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NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

By John Hugar

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 26: Blake Griffin #23 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reach for the rebound during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 26, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Detroit Pistons

When you have Blake Griffin on your team, that means you have Blake Griffin on your team. That was pretty much the entirety of the logic behind the Pistons acquiring Griffin last January, and you can’t entirely disagree with it. Of course, by the time Griffin arrived, the team was already mired in mediocrity, and Griffin’s strong play simply wasn’t enough to lift them out of it. The hope here is that in his first full season, and with a chance to in as the unquestioned leader, he will be able to carry the Pistons back into the playoffs and to national relevance.

How can he get them there? Well, staying healthy will be a big part of it; the Pistons knew Griffin was an injury risk when they made the deal, and they’re hoping for the best. On paper, Griffin and Andre Drummond is one of the stronger big man combos in the league, but it remains to be seen how they’ll compliment each other. If Griffin’s shooting and passing skills match with Drummond’s dominance around the basket, they’ll be a force to contend with.

If Griffin stays healthy, and Reggie Jackson has a bounce back year, this team could surprise some people. Griffin isn’t that far removed from being a top-5 player. Making the playoffs as an unquestioned first option would be a huge feather in his cap, and there’s no reason he can’t do it.