Stan Van Gundy has worked wonders rebuilding the Detroit Pistons: taking a mess of a Piston squad in 2014 and transforming them into a playoff competitor by 2016. On to 2017, Detroit is projected to finish fourth, though could fare better than most expect.
It’s to no surprise why ESPN would predict the Cleveland Cavaliers to finish first next season in the Eastern Conference. They are the reigning NBA champions headed by LeBron James who dominated last year’s playoffs: sweeping the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks, handling the Toronto Raptors, and winning it all against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.
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Additionally, it’s to no surprise why ESPN would predict Toronto and the Boston Celtics to finish tied for second. Toronto resigned DeMar DeRozan and was one of only two teams to beat the Cavs in the playoffs, while Boston fared well in the offseason: possessing a lute of draft picks and acquiring Al Horford.
Though, surprises occur, and the Detroit Pistons could be one of them.
As Detroit is projected to finish fourth in the East, finally seen as a legit competitors since the days of Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, and Ben Wallace, fourth may be an underestimation.
Many would disagree that fourth is an underestimation, and even argue that fourth is too giving. That the Pistons will finish sixth or higher due to new teams like the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks emerging as star-studded competitors. Still, the Detroit Pistons have a few things going for them.
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