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Detroit Pistons think they can match up with anyone

By Braden Shackelford

Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy looks down during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy looks down during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Pistons have finally been built to Stan Van Gundy’s liking. With the roster now as versatile as ever, Van Gundy thinks the team can compete with anyone.

The Detroit Pistons think they’ve addressed their weaknesses this offseason with the signings of Ish Smith, Jon Leuer, Ray McCallum, and Boban Marjanovic, and by drafting Henry Ellenson and Michael Gbinije.

With a roster few of weaknesses and an abundance of versatility, Stan Van Gundy says the team can match up with anyone.

Van Gundy via Detroit Free Press:

"“I think we’ve got answers to small lineups, big lineups,” Van Gundy said recently. “Teams that want to play two point guards together, teams that want to play with no point guard. I don’t really think there’s anything that people can throw at us now that we don’t have good options on our roster to go to.”"

Van Gundy finally has the versatility on his roster he’s coveted since joining the Pistons as head coach and president of basketball operations–and he’s right–the Pistons should be able to match up with anyone in the NBA.

But matching up is only part of the equation. He’s got talent and versatility, but is the quality of talent enough to compete with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors? Furthermore, does the team have the basketball I.Q. to match up with either of those teams?

I don’t think either question can be answered during the offseason, but it would be shocking to see this team make that big of a leap in just one offseason.

That said, the Pistons’ starters last season were one of the most effective units in the NBA. The team’s weakness was their bench–and it was a giant weakness.

By adding the players that the Pistons’ did, there’s reason to think that the bench is going to be much improved.

That along with internal development from core players could propel the Pistons into one of the top teams in the NBA.

As it stands now, the NBA is a two team league (Cavaliers and Warriors), and then there’s everyone else.

We’ll have to wait and see what Van Gundy can do with this roster before speculating if the Pistons can compete with the best of the best.

I like the roster and I think Van Gundy is one of the best coaches in the NBA. It’s also clear to me that the Pistons’ have one of the best front offices in the NBA. Achieving a roster capable of a title seems possible in the future, but right now it’s a two team race.

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