NBA
Detroit Pistons 2018-19 NBA Season Preview
The 2018-19 NBA season starts today and every NBA fan can’t wait to see their team’s results after a long off-season. If you’re a Detroit Pistons fan, the wait has been excruciating. Due to missed opportunities, the Pistons missed the playoffs last season. They now look to put a disappointing 2017-18 season in the rear view mirror.
2017-18 NBA Season Recap
The Pistons got off to a great start in the 2017-18 NBA season, winning 19 of their first 33 games. This had Pistons’ fans thinking this would finally be the year playoff basketball returns to the Motor City. However, a similar storyline ensued and Reggie Jackson got injured and had to miss time.
The team started losing again. Fast forward a few months and the Pistons walked out of the previous season without a playoff berth, and trading away their depth. They also traded a future draft pick to acquire an oft-injured superstar in Blake Griffin.
Detroit Pistons Offseason Moves
This led to team owner, Tom Gores, firing Stan Van Gundy and replacing him with reigning Coach of the Year Dwane Casey. The Pistons also added Ed Stefanski as president, added Warriors’ analytics guru Sammy Gelfand and hired Malik Rose as an Assistant GM.
This front office shakeup signals a start of something new in Detroit. It’s a reason for the fans to remain optimistic. The Pistons acquired 2017 Slam Dunk Champion Glenn Robinson III, who’s a 3-and-D wing, to the lineup. It should motivate Stanley Johnson to play up to his potential. They also added Jose Calderon and Zaza Pachulia for some quality minutes off the bench along with locker room veteran presence.
2018-19 Detroit Pistons Season Predictions
In the preseason, the Pistons went 2-3. However, there is a silver lining. The Casey led Pistons seem to have a clear system in mind. That system is to spread the floor with three-point shots and attack the rim. The goal is to only take high percentage shots, and take them often so as to follow suit with the rest of today’s NBA. Casey wants a shot up every 10 seconds. Even Andre Drummond, who was considered the worst free throw shooter in history before last season, added a three-point shot over the summer. According to Casey, he has the green light to shoot it from deep.
The rare style of two rim-running big men is often criticized. But Casey vows that “the time is now” with this team. He plans on running the offense through Griffin, who proved last year that he can spread the floor. He also can distribute the ball using him as a point forward.
The Pistons Are Hoping Their Key Guys Can Stay Healthy This Season
If Jackson and Griffin remain healthy, the Pistons have a shot to return to the playoffs. They also need their young studs in Johnson and Bruce Brown to develop properly. If Drummond makes the occasional shot to stretch the defense, then there is no doubt that the Pistons can bring back playoff basketball to the Motor City.
This sounds like the stars have to align in order to have a winning team in Detroit. However, there is a chance to believe that the 2018-19 Pistons can pull it off. Regardless, true fans should respect that they are building something from the ground up with a front office. They now have a front office with a proven record to instill a new culture in Detroit.
Prediction: The Pistons go 44-38 to bring us some playoff basketball along with hopes for more to come.
Photo Credit
Thuy Trinh via Flickr
