Detroit Pistons Preview: Expectations
1. Which player will be the most valuable piece to the Pistons’ puzzle?
Braden Shackelford: Andre Drummond. There are a lot of dominant point guards in the NBA, but not many dominant big men. If Drummond can take that next step on both ends of the court this season the Pistons will be a really hard team to stop.
Brady Fredericksen: Drummond. There’s no way the Pistons make a jump without him showing improvement both as a scorer and defender. I don’t think the offensive improvement needs to be as dramatic as the defensive improvement, but the Pistons defense could be hilariously bad if Drummond can’t show improvement on that end. But if you said Reggie Jackson, you wouldn’t be wrong.
Tim Thielke: Definitely Drummond. He is arguably the best rebounder in the league and has all the tools to be a game-breaking superstar on defense — he has a pretty decent offensive ceiling too. However, he could also easily end up being just a hellacious rebounder who can be taken out of the game at any time by intentional fouling.
Duncan Smith: Jackson is the most pivotal player for the Pistons. There are questions about just how good Jackson is, and the flashes he showed when Greg Monroe was out last season are definitely reason for optimism. If he can sustain that level, the Pistons future is bright.
Mike Davidson: It has to be Jackson. The ball will be in his hands more than anyone else, and his ability to create offensively is what will ultimately take this team to the next level.
DeMarcus R. Garrett: Jackson. At this juncture, this Pistons’ train is propelled more by offense than defense and the conductor of that train is Jackson. Van Gundy likes to put the ball in his point guard’s hands in a pick-and-roll heavy, spread offense. This season, as Jackson (and the other point guards) goes, so goes the Pistons, so he’ll be the most valuable piece.
Tim Brokke: Drummond. Can he develop into an elite defender that can anchor a top-10 defense? Or will he continue to have long stretches with a lack of focus and effort?
Christopher Crowder: Jackson. If Brandon Jennings’ play before his season-ending injury last year was any indication, the Pistons can be a consistently competitive team with superb point guard play. If Jackson can run Stan Van Gundy’s offense like Jennings did over an extended period of time with more offensive weapons, a playoff spot is attainable.
Ricky LaBlue: Jackson. A lot of pressure is being placed on him and he needs to live up to that big contract he signed in the offseason and break into that top-10 point guard category. His development is imperative to the Pistons’ success.
Anthony Morgan: Jackson. He needs to recapture the form he showed during his short spell with the Pistons that lead to the biggest deal in franchise history. If he continues playing the way he did at the end of last season, it may prove to be the lift the Pistons need to make a strong push into the playoffs. Jackson needs to join the discussion involving the league’s top point guards.
Rod Berger: The most valuable piece is actually a position and those occupying it for the season. The small forward spot brings grit, times two, with Marcus Morris and Stanley Johnson giving an edge to the squad not seen since Ben and Rasheed Wallace.
Next: How far away are the Pistons not only competing for a playoff spot, but from actually winning one?