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Eight predictions for the Detroit Pistons’ season in 2016-17

By Duncan Smith

Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA;Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the first half of Tuesday nights game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA;Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the first half of Tuesday nights game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) high fives Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Dallas won 98-89. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) high fives Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Dallas won 98-89. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Stanley Johnson will crack the starting lineup.

Speaking of guys soon to move up in the depth chart, Stanley Johnson is poised to make the leap into the starting small forward position this season. The incumbent Marcus Morris will slide into the sixth man spot and continue to get plenty of minutes, but the Pistons are going to run out of reasons to keep the young Johnson out of the starting lineup.

Johnson closed last season with a magnificent surge, particularly in the four-game sweep at the hands of the Cavaliers. It’s a point that’s been beaten to death by now, but the 20-year old Johnson (then just 19) went toe-to-toe with LeBron James. He didn’t stop James, but he kept pace and didn’t allow himself to be overwhelmed physically or mentally.

He’s also devoted the greater part of the offseason to development. He utilized summer league as a training ground to work on his off-hand dribbling and his re-worked jump shot, and in spite of essentially handicapping himself still helped lead the Pistons to an Orlando Summer League title game berth.

Marcus Morris earned himself plenty of leash after a remarkable debut season with the Pistons in 2015-16, so Johnson won’t be making the jump early. The sophomore is going to have to earn every bit of that starting role. Earn it he will before the end of the season.

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