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Ranking the East: Where do the Detroit Pistons stand?

By Justin Brouckaert

Apr 22, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and teammates before game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and teammates before game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) brings the ball up court defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) brings the ball up court defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

7) Charlotte Hornets

Nic Batum resigning is huge for them, and it was smart for them to retain Marvin Williams, though his payday is based mostly off a strong 2015-16 season. I don’t think losing Jeremy Lin and Al Jefferson is enough to drop the Hornets a spot in the standings, but the additions of Marco Bellinelli, Roy Hibbert and Ramon Sessions isn’t enough for me to expect massive improvements, either. I expect the Pacers to leapfrog the Hornets, who will still be major players in a competitive Eastern Conference.

8) New York Knicks

Derrick Rose, Courtney Lee, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, Joakim Noah: a great starting five a few years ago, and a very good starting five in 2016-17, if blessed with good health. However, with Rose and Noah in particular, we can’t assume good health. Former Piston Brandon Jennings was a steal at $5 million per year, and if he remains healthy coming off an achilles tear, he could have a successful season backing up with oft-injured Rose.

This team will be exciting. I think they could finish as high as top-4 if Rose and Noah have resurgent years and Porizingis shows dramatic improvement. But with age and injury both factors, I’ll believe it when I see it.

Next: While the league goes small the Detroit Pistons get bigger

On the bubble

The Miami HEAT aren’t a playoff team without Dwyane Wade (now a Chicago Bull) and Chris Bosh, who hasn’t been ruled out for 2016-17, but isn’t exactly a safe bet to continue a healthy, consistent NBA career. The Bulls just don’t make sense. The Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks should all be better, and I can see Washington and Milwaukee contending for the No. 8 seed until the last few games of the season.

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