Grading the Pistons at the (just past) midway point

If there’s anything to be learned from the Pistons’ first 43 games of the season, it’s that we have no idea what to expect in the final 39 games of the season.

Unlike recent seasons, this has been a roller coaster ride of epic proportions. There was a time where the Pistons looked like the worst team in the league — somehow worse than both Philadelphia and New York.

There was also a time — currently, to be exact — where the Pistons cut ties with Josh Smith, flipped a magical switch and, poof, started playing like one of the league’s most fun teams. While the year is only half over, it has already provided more excitement than any other year in recent memory.

That’s what makes grading these guys at the halfway point so difficult. Everybody has had their ups and downs, but after coming on so strong after Christmas, it’s almost easy to forget the miserable early going.

But maybe that’s why the team is playing so well now — they’ve forgotten that nightmare start. Anyways, let’s grade:

Andre Drummond — B
Drummond has had such an odd season. Like many of the Pistons, his first month was atrocious. His struggles as an offensive focal point were glaring, but since that responsibility has been lifted, Drummond has taken off. His help defense is improving, his rebounding is still elite and he’s still one of the top players in the league when it comes to scoring off the pick and roll.

Greg Monroe — B
We’ve reached the point, I think, where Monroe is what he is overall. But he’s made small improvements to his game this season, and that’s been a big part of the Pistons success. His offense and rebounding have been big, but his defensive improvement under Stan Van Gundy has been most impressive.

Brandon Jennings — B
If you’re talking about the past month, Jennings gets an A-plus, but this grade includes that puzzling start to the season. Remember when Jennings was being regularly benched and pouting? Yeah, that hurts the grade. But he’s been fantastic over the past month, which really boosts his grade. If you want a good look at his post-Smith success, ESPN Insider has a good piece.

Anthony Tolliver — B
It’s been a long time since the Pistons have had a player that could really be classified as a fan favorite, but Tolliver has been exactly that. His production, both as a shooter and rebounder, has been surprising and his 24/7 hustle has been refreshing. He’s just a fun player to root for.

Jonas  Jerebko — B-
Ah, just kidding, here’s the last fan favorite. While teaming with Tolliver, Jerebko has provided the Pistons with a legitimate option as a stretch four. He’s hitting shots while not shooting too much, and he’s rebounding the ball and making smart plays. Maybe he knows this is a contract year?

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — C+
It’s tough to grade Caldwell-Pope. The inconsistency has been maddening this season, but the ability to hit big shots and defend has been great. This grade isn’t where most would hope he’d be this season, but think about how poorly he was playing at this point last season. It’s been a big improvement.

Jodie Meeks — C+
It’s been tough grading Meeks. His play has been inconsistent since returning from a back injury that sidelined him for much of the early season. He’s been a threat from the perimeter, though not at the clip many expected so far, but he’s brought more good than bad to the table.

Kyle Singler — C
Meh? Singler has been he definition of mediocre. His numbers are down across the board because he’s been relegated to his role as a floor-spacing shooter. He’s taking 54 percent of his shots from downtown; hitting 43 percent. That’s good, but it’s all he’s really contributed this season.

Caron Butler — C-
There was a time when the Pistons were at their lowest and Butler was their best option on the wing… oh how things have changed. Butler’s role has shrunk as the Pistons have gotten healthier and improved. He makes his open shots and seems to be good in the locker room. But that’s about it.

D.J. Augustin — C-
The struggle has been real. Early in the year it looked like Augustin was going to be a big part of the Pistons success/failure, but as the year’s progressed he’s been streaky — albeit better post-Smith. His jumper has been non-existent (29% from 3) and his defense leaves a lot to be desired.

Joel Anthony — D+
Anthony has settled into his role as the situational big off the bench for those moments when foul trouble plagues the front court — or when they play so poorly Van Gundy tries to make a point. That’s where he should be, as we saw his issues when he had to play more minutes early in the year.

Spencer Dinwiddie — D
The rookie has essentially been stuck in mop-up duty this season. He’s had some nice moments as a distributor — he’s got 17 assists and just two turnovers — but he’s also settled for 3-pointers and contested shots when he’s played.

Cartier Martin — F
I’m going to be honest, I didn’t realize Martin had played in 13 games this season until I started working on this. He’s a guy who shoots, a lot. When it’s falling, you play him. When it’s not, he sits. You can guess what he’s done more of this season.

Luigi Datome — I
Considering his season consists of eight minutes in an early-season blowout… there ain’t much here to grade. I still refuse to believe he’s as bad as he appears, but I’m slowly coming around on the fact that Datome just isn’t good enough to play in the NBA.

Stan Van Gundy — B+
This grade factors in both coach and president versions of Van Gundy. Releasing Smith was one of the most shocking moves of the season, but credit Van Gundy for having the balls to bring an idea like that to owner Tom Gores.

I think it would have been easier for a lesser coach to let the Pistons — with or without Smith — fall off the rails after the 5-23 start, but Van Gundy has keep the team breathing and now it’s paying off as they’ve run off one of the most impressive streaks in the NBA this season.

The funniest part about this is even if Van Gundy does guide the Pistons to the playoffs, his chances at winning Coach of the Year are nonexistent. That award is going to Atlanta’s Mike Budenholzer or Golden State’s Steve Kerr. But knowing how that award is rarely given to the league’s best coaches, I’m sure Van Gundy would rather lead the Pistons to the postseason.