OT - Pistons hot start
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-pistons-might-actually-be-good/
IMO I don't think a team not named Cleveland or Boston has a chance in hell of winning the East but this article seems to think they are at least somewhat legit. Beating the Bucks and Warriors is something at least.
November 6th, 2017 at 4:37 PM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 4:37 PM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 4:43 PM ^
Much like the Lions start, I don't trust it yet.
With Drummond actually making FTs tho...Hmmm and addition of Bradley... who knows.
They were trying to make deal RJ for Bledsoe too.
November 6th, 2017 at 4:48 PM ^
The article breaks down the probabilty of him shooting 30/40 (his FT % is 75% right now) based on his FT % coming into the year... somehting like a 1/495,000 chance. tells me his change to his form is working.
November 6th, 2017 at 4:51 PM ^
I opened article, but haven't read yet. Has to be one of the biggest reasons for the fast start next to Bradley. He only had a had handful of FTs last night though.
November 6th, 2017 at 5:26 PM ^
that Drummond didn't actually change his form very much, but he started working with a sports psychologist to slow down his motion, thinking, and breathing and basically create the same routine each time. I'll try and find it, but it made a lot of sense
November 7th, 2017 at 1:48 AM ^
November 7th, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 4:44 PM ^
Old, slow and bored is not a great recipe for success. We're playing like we dont give a shit and it shows. Gonna be a VERY long year and my guess is HC Lue will be the first casuality if things dont turn around very quickly.
November 6th, 2017 at 4:53 PM ^
I'm wondering when LeBron's going to start physically breaking down. The guy's been in the league 15 years (!), logged an insane number of minutes and somehow is still playing like he's in his prime. Logic would suggest it can't go on that much longer.
November 6th, 2017 at 4:54 PM ^
LeBron likes Lue, so Lue will stay.
November 6th, 2017 at 5:01 PM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 6:20 PM ^
as a Pistons fan, I would love to be the team that beats him and begins his decline
November 6th, 2017 at 10:55 PM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 5:27 PM ^
LeBron, they're the best team in the East.
November 6th, 2017 at 5:53 PM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 4:51 PM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 5:31 PM ^
Duly noted. However I'll say it now: in 2019 all 4 Detroit teams in the playoffs. I think Gardenhire is going to be magical. Pistons and Lions are solidly close. And if the Wings can fix their defense they might re-start a playoff run this year.
Then again, I am an eternal optimist when it comes to Detroit and UM sports.
November 6th, 2017 at 4:57 PM ^
Hot start no doubt. Really on fire. We'll see what kind of mileage they can get though. No doubt they look powerful but not sure how reliable. It takes more than just a quick spark to fuel a good finish in the east. Hopefully Stanley Johnson can serve as the direct injection this team needs to keep the wheels moving.
November 6th, 2017 at 5:02 PM ^
this just means the Grand Rapids Drive are going to get another mid to late first round player to join Ellenson and Luke Kennard.
No All-Stars is not a good recipe in today's NBA. They would have been better off tanking several years ago rather than being mediocre for so long. Detroit isn't a destination for top free agents and picking 8-15 in the draft does them no good.
November 6th, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^
inside the top 6 was Harrison Barnes. If the Pistons are for real, they could be a player away from being legit contenders. Normally I'd agree that tanking is the way to go, but if Drummond can shoot free throws, it completely changes the trajectory of this team. All they need it someone to take a leap or sign a quality free agent in the offseason. Sometimes just getting a little better every year is better than completely scrapping it. BTW, players who were taken outside of the top 10 in the Draft since 2008:
Giannis, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Isaiah Thomas, Rudy Gobert, Nikola Jokic, Myles Turner, DeAndre Jordan and Goran Dragic.
It's becoming more and more possible to find incredibly talented players outside the top 5-8 picks in the draft. All they need is a little luck.
November 6th, 2017 at 6:24 PM ^
Bower and SVG seem like they'll pull the trigger on a trade too.
November 6th, 2017 at 6:21 PM ^
When have the pistons ever been about top lottery picks? We usually paste together other teams "lost" 1st round picks and beat the all star squads.
November 6th, 2017 at 6:27 PM ^
Can't remember when Grant Hill was drafted, but trading him got us Ben. So I agree on that.
November 7th, 2017 at 2:15 PM ^
3rd overall pick, 1994 draft
November 6th, 2017 at 5:08 PM ^
A lot of depth there. Ish Smith is the only one of them playing consistent minutes. Otherwise, Van Gundy goes with the hot hand or the matchups.
November 6th, 2017 at 9:52 PM ^
and Ish Smith are two of the most important backups on the team. Ish gives them that different feel on offense as a PG with his tempo and speed. Tolliver has been a perfect stretch 4 for SVG because he's strong enough to bang with a bigger PF but can pull away PF with his shooting. He has been a really good addition to the team.
November 7th, 2017 at 8:15 AM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 5:39 PM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 5:44 PM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 5:59 PM ^
DEEE-TROIT BASKETBALL!!
November 6th, 2017 at 6:19 PM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 6:56 PM ^
Cannot get into the NBA. Ever since that ref (forgot his name) was found guilty of fixing games a few years back I have no desire to watch refs cater to the super stars.
November 7th, 2017 at 12:14 AM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 6:58 PM ^
November 6th, 2017 at 8:18 PM ^
Was just going to ask the question about how Bradley is doing. I haven't seen any games this year, so was curious as to whether his defensive abilities are as advertised and if he's been a good fit offensively. Team chemistry definitely appears better - at least according to what I'm reading in post-game reports. I may actually watch an NBA game or two this year when they're a featured game.
November 6th, 2017 at 9:27 PM ^
I feel like in Detroit fashion they will crash and burn at some point. I was already calling for SVG to do something three games in. I'm happy so far just trying to not get my hopes up.
November 7th, 2017 at 12:24 AM ^
Great seeing the Pistons back downtown!
November 7th, 2017 at 1:43 PM ^
It's early. In some ways the 17-18 team reminds me of the 03-09 squads--many contributors, solid defense, selfless players. But to win a championship, either Jackson or Harris has to REALLY elevate their game--like Billups and Rip both did. They are probably one Rasheed Wallace-level guy away from being an elite team, even if Harris keeps this up (he's playing like an All-Star) and Jackson becomes a more consistent scorer (he is subpar from 3, and from elsewhere in the field--42% FG from a gaurd will kill you in the playoffs). It is also worth mentioning that even that last squad does not win a title without Larry Brown.
November 7th, 2017 at 2:54 PM ^
I'm not sold on RJ being an elite player. I know we paid him like he is and he's a good player, but not sure he's a championship caliber player. Sorry if I offend. Stanley is another player that I'm not sold on yet, but he is YOUNG and has a rookie contract. Plenty of time for Stanley to get better.