Pistons Undefeated!! Could they make a Playoff run?
Look, I know there is another post 2 spots down. I know this is OT. I know this is just the 1st game in a season where the Pistons are supposed to be bad (hopefully bad enough to get that Wembanyama kid and have an potentially elite core for the next decade), and I know that it's just the Magic, BUT, the Pistons defeated Orlando tonight in their opener to start the season 1-0. A Detroit pro sports team being undefeated is a thing to treasure these days. Also we looked pretty good tonight.
1. We looked pretty good tonight. Almost too good. Think we need to trade Bogdanovic for picks/young players. He raises the Pistons ceiling just enough (A play-in team??) to be bad for our long term goals.
2. I was iffy on drafting Jaden Ivey, but have come full circle on that take and think that we are lucky we got him
3. Man, Franz is legit. I thought he would be a pretty good NBA player, but how quickly he got his NBA game going still blows my mind. So happy for him.
Any other 1st game thoughts?
October 19th, 2022 at 9:53 PM ^
I think they're good enough to fight for that 9/10 play-in spot.
All things considered, I like their roster. It reminds a little of the Nets roster pre Durant. Or Charlotte last year.
Detroit has some nice complimentary pieces. If they had a Durant, a legit superstar, I think they'd be legit contenders in the East.
In the words of Bomani Jones..."they've got a bunch of low spades."
October 19th, 2022 at 10:25 PM ^
I think I'm on the same page. I think Ivey could be that star. I love Cade, but I think he maxes out at All-Star but not Alpha dog on a championship team.
Or maybe we win with no real alpha like the '04 Championship Pistons. Either way, I really like the Pistons path forward.
October 20th, 2022 at 6:37 AM ^
I bet my buddy they would win more games this yr than the Red Wings. I'm not sure how I feel about that after seeing the Wings so far, but I would gladly pay that bet if they Wings make the playoffs.
October 19th, 2022 at 10:02 PM ^
I knew Ivey was quick but he was blowing by players like Morant. Duren is like Ben Wallace with more size and skill. Can’t wait until Livers comes back because I don’t want to see Knox again.
They may threaten the playoffs but I think they’ll end up in the lottery. Probably need to upgrade Bey’s spot next year.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:32 PM ^
Duren is like Ben Wallace with more size and skill.
calm down Fred Jackson
October 20th, 2022 at 5:19 AM ^
He forgot to say faster, with a better handle.
October 20th, 2022 at 7:09 AM ^
Ivey was stifled by the Big Ten's style of play and Painter's focus on the post.
October 19th, 2022 at 10:06 PM ^
14 & 10 with 50% shooting off the bench for Duren is great, would be fantastic if he can keep that up.
10th in the East gets them into the play-in game. East is pretty solid this year but Indiana and Charlotte are going to suck. Stay ahead of them, Bulls, Wizards, and Magic and they'll get their shot. Who knows, Knicks might be bad again and the Nets could crater at some point.
I really hope they get a taste of the postseason this year, it'll only help them going forward.
October 19th, 2022 at 10:07 PM ^
I think they said on the broadcast that Duren is the youngest Piston to get a double-double. I really like the young core. Cade will be great, liked the Ivey pick. Bogdanovic is a pro that opens up the offense. Can’t wait to see Livers grow his game. Exciting young team. Wings and Pistons showing some potential after years of building.
October 20th, 2022 at 4:33 AM ^
Duren might be the youngest Piston ever, so the fact that he got a double double in his very first game... kind of a given that he would hold that title.
October 20th, 2022 at 3:52 PM ^
IIRC Darko turned 18 a few days before the draft, that's before they changed the age limit and cutoff dates. Duren is 18 but will be 19 in November.
October 19th, 2022 at 10:32 PM ^
What a young core. Man this team could be reallllllly good in 2 years. Like reallllllllllllly reallllllllly good.
October 19th, 2022 at 10:43 PM ^
Yup, its not JUST having all of this young talent, its that they really fit together. I really love how Weaver has built this team so far.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:09 PM ^
It's come together nicely. Weaver's moves remind me of solving a Rubik's Cube - a bunch of moves that don't look like they do anything or even appear to take you backwards until suddenly the faces get all put together nicely. Of course, we don't really know yet if the damn thing is solved, but at least now you can see where all the different pieces are headed and how they fit.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:17 PM ^
Look at the roster when he took over and look at it this minute. Incredible.
October 20th, 2022 at 9:39 AM ^
I almost forgot about Grant already. I believe that trade is how we got Duren. Looks like Grant had a good first game in Portland.
October 19th, 2022 at 10:47 PM ^
They have to give up on Killian Hayes. He's a bust.
October 20th, 2022 at 4:35 AM ^
5 assists, 5 boards, 3 steals and a block say otherwise. Yes he will probably never be a great scorer, but he does too many other things well to be a bust.
October 20th, 2022 at 2:54 PM ^
Wow, looks like he got a “Draymond”
October 20th, 2022 at 3:53 PM ^
Quadruple single is better than a "Draymond."
October 20th, 2022 at 7:38 AM ^
He's really not though. He's an ideal PG for the second unit.
October 20th, 2022 at 7:47 AM ^
He's still a very young player. We could start talking "bust" in a few years if he doesn't go anywhere.
October 21st, 2022 at 2:12 PM ^
in relation to where he was drafted, he's not panning out.
Haliburton, Cole Anthony, & Tyrese Maxey were all drafted after Hayes and they're all infinitely better
October 19th, 2022 at 11:00 PM ^
I hope you're right, but anticipating a playoff run after just one game...
You must be a die hard Lions fan too, I'm thinking.
October 20th, 2022 at 6:38 AM ^
Subtle hope and sarcastic commitment both go right over your head...
October 20th, 2022 at 1:14 PM ^
Sarcasm... Maybe a little bit. Depends on the context.
Hope? With the Lions or Pistons or concerned? DEFINITELY
October 19th, 2022 at 11:00 PM ^
With Franz and Poole, we’re going to have two straight-up ballers in this league for the next decade. And if Caris has anything left. Plus a ton of role guys. It’s going to be the best time to watch Michigan guys in the NBA since the mid-1990s with Glen Rice, CWebb, Juwan and Jalen.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:20 PM ^
Livers is also going to get his shot. If he can play well he will see a lot of time this year. His game mesh’s really well with this young core.
October 20th, 2022 at 2:56 AM ^
I can picture Livers being a really solid glue guy and teammate as his game develops and he gets more comfortable in the league. Just one of those dudes on the bench everyone loves.
October 20th, 2022 at 2:54 AM ^
True but why no love for Hardaway? He’s had a sneaky good career, made some serious bank, and brings a lot to the table. I know the Mavericks and Doncic really missed him in the playoffs last year.
October 20th, 2022 at 2:46 PM ^
Hardaway is the best pro from the Beilein era. It looked like it was going to be Caris, but injuries have hampered him
October 19th, 2022 at 11:36 PM ^
Pistons are certainly much more athletic now. Bogdonovich was a great pick up and needed tonight.
Duren in still 18. Youngest Piston with a double double?
Why is Caleb Houston in the NBA?
October 19th, 2022 at 11:47 PM ^
Caleb Houstan. 22 minutes. 0-3. Zero points.
October 20th, 2022 at 7:48 AM ^
He's on the roster and getting paid. Not predicting stardom, but his move to the NBA already looks like the right one.
October 20th, 2022 at 10:42 AM ^
Yes, he did get $4 mil guaranteed over the next two years which is crazy, and Florida has some good income tax advantages.
October 20th, 2022 at 12:43 AM ^
Red wings are undefeated (kinda) too. Only loss was in OT and they still get a point so only a half loss.
October 20th, 2022 at 1:14 AM ^
Unbelievable the pistons and the local media keep going with the “This is the year Killian turns the corner” narrative. He’s the exact same player he’s always been. He’s a career backup who plays good defense but can’t shoot at all.
October 20th, 2022 at 7:41 AM ^
And that's totally fine. Was he overdrafted at 7? Sure. But people act like he can't play at all, which is demonstrably untrue.
October 20th, 2022 at 8:47 AM ^
Agreed. He can play defense. He can handle and pass the ball. He can rebound. He’ll get better as he gets more playing experience. He could be a fine 6th or 7th guy on a championship team.
October 20th, 2022 at 9:45 AM ^
Hope he becomes a defensive stopper like the pit bulls, Lindsey Hunter and Mike James, on the 2004 team.
October 20th, 2022 at 10:37 AM ^
Yeah, the big negative against him was his draft spot which has nothing to do with him as much as poor scouting. He's not a stud but he definitely looks like a guy capable of playing in the NBA off the bench.
October 21st, 2022 at 8:26 AM ^
I'm not even sure he was an overdraft. Look at that draft and there's probably only three players below that are better.
One is Bey, also on the Pistons. It was a weak draft.
People watching at home don't value defense enough.
October 20th, 2022 at 4:25 AM ^
I kind of think they are going to make the playoffs. Either way, you can see the talent and they are going to be young, exciting and fun to watch. I also think the Red Wings are going to better this year from the look of things. I'm finally getting my Detroit sports back!
October 20th, 2022 at 7:33 AM ^
Well, it might be a bit early to do much more than speculate wildly, but if the Pistons are going to be in the playoffs at all, they are going to do it as a fringe play-in team, I would think. I still am doubtful that they get there ultimately, however.
October 20th, 2022 at 7:44 AM ^
I don't think we're going to challenge. Duren and Ivey had great debuts. But they're rookies. They're going to have highs and lows. Rest of the core is young as well. I don't think Bogie is going to re-sign with us, so I think the team will trade him at the deadline even if they are close to the play in.
Defense is bad. Happens with young teams. There's going to be stretches where the team looks great. And multiple 4-5 game losing streaks.
Curious to see how Livers and Burks help the team as well. Need more shooting and defense.
October 20th, 2022 at 10:49 AM ^
Don't forget about Bagley. He'll be a contributor, too, once he's back.
October 20th, 2022 at 7:52 AM ^
Although he missed all his 3s....let's not forget Caleb Houstan got over 20 minutes with the magic.
October 20th, 2022 at 7:54 AM ^
I think they are actually a playoff team this year. They try hard...probably too hard this year when gms are trying at just a chance to draft Wembanyama. All teams have to do us get in the lottery so losing is going to be the thing to do this year.
October 20th, 2022 at 8:13 AM ^
They need polish. They will be a team who beats some really good teams convincing and loses to some really bad teams even worse. They will be an 82 game “heat check.”
I don’t think they will be a playoff team but they have potential, non-expiring contracts AND cap space. That will be a fun combo for the next few years. I look for them to make the playoffs and win a series or two next year.
October 20th, 2022 at 10:06 AM ^
I actually feel worse about the team now than I did over the summer. Snuck by another bottom of the conference team and really struggled all preseason. My guess is that the Pistons young players flash from time to time, but get run over by good teams. I'd say under the line of 30 wins on the year. Detroit tanks the back half of the year for a shot at Victor.