Three Things We Learned About The Detroit Pistons
After a two game winning streak it looked like the Detroit Pistons were starting to find a rhythm. During that winning streak Kentavious Caldwell-Pope averaged 19.5 points, Greg Monroe was dominant, and it looked like everyone was settling into their roles. Then the Pistons flipped the script and went on a three game losing streak making all of us think twice about where this team stands.
This week’s edition applies to the following games: Bucks, Jazz, Bulls, and Wizards
Stan Van Gundy’s Coaching Hasn’t Lived Up To Expectations
I’m sure there’s Pistons fans out there that were hoping that SVG would take the Pistons to the championship in his first year. We can safely put those hopes to rest. For the rest of us out there that were hoping for an improved Andre Drummond, better team basketball, and savvy personnel rotations we are also left disappointment.
The good news is that we aren’t even 10 games into the season and SVG is brand new to the team so a rocky start isn’t something to be worried about.
On the other hand contrary, it’s concerning to me that despite Brandon Jenning’s obvious improved play of late that SVG continues to keep him on the bench for most of the forth quarter. I also don’t understand why he doesn’t run more plays for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope when he’s having a good shooting night. When KCP is on the Pistons have a nice inside-outside combination and getting him more comfortable in the offense should be focal point.
To be fair, it’s hard to criticize coaches. We don’t know the conversations he’s having with his players and staff, but I think we all were expecting a little bit more.
Andre Drummond Might Not Take The Next Step This Year
Andre Drummond is going to be the Pistons’ best player, average 20 and 10, and make his first all-star appearance.
Well it sounded nice anyways.
From what we’ve seen from Drummond so far it looks like the only steps he’s taking are backwards. He’s almost always in foul trouble, he doesn’t have any confidence, and at times he’s even acted like he didn’t want to be on the floor.
The silver lining once more is that it’s early in the season and he still has plenty of time to make the leap we thought he would.
The Pistons Have Improved On Defense Under SVG
While we might have been expecting a little more from SVG we have to give credit where credit is do. Last season the Pistons ranked 29th in the NBA allowing 104.7 ppg. This season they’ve made tremendous improvement on that end of the court allowing just 98 ppg.
If they can keep pace, a big if of course, they should be fairly competitive in the East this season.