PistonPowered
Fansided

What if the Detroit Pistons had LeBron James or Kevin Durant?

By Matthew Rolison

Feb 26, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; The jerseys of Detroit Pistons former players Ben Wallace and Chauncy Billups hang from the rafters before the game against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; The jerseys of Detroit Pistons former players Ben Wallace and Chauncy Billups hang from the rafters before the game against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Ever wonder what the Detroit Pistons would be like with LeBron James or Kevin Durant running the show?

With the Golden State Warriors up 3-0 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in this years finals, much debate between Kevin Durant and LeBron James arise.

Future Hall of Fame inductee, Paul Pierce, has publicly declared his opinion that Durant is better than LeBron right now.

So, what if the Detroit Pistons got their hands on one of the perennial all-stars? In the first NBA 2K17 MyLeague simulation, LeBron James joins forces with the Detroit Pistons. In another, Kevin Durant comes in as the leader for Detroit. Who brings the most impact to Detroit’s roster?

More from PistonPowered

For both simulations, trades and injuries will be turned off to reduce outlying factors.

Who will impact the win column the most for Detroit and can either of them bring a championship home to the Palace?

LeBron James:

With James on the roster, Detroit now has that superstar. He will slide in at small forward, with Reggie Jackson running the point and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope manning the two spot (shooting guard). Marcus Morris and Andre Drummond will join the front-court with LeBron.

Let the simulation begin.

The Detroit Pistons greatly improved their record with LeBron James in tow, finishing 51-31. This landed them the second seed in the East, behind the Toronto Raptors 52-30. The Cavaliers, without LeBron, earned the third seed with a record of 44-38.

LeBron James made it onto the All-NBA first team, along with Andre Drummond. Seems as if Drummond flourished under LeBron’s wing. LeBron earned his way onto the All-Defensive first team, while Drummond landed on the second team.

In the first round of the playoffs, Detroit went up against the Atlanta Hawks. Surprisingly, Detroit went down 0-3 early. But, by some miracle, a.k.a LeBron James, they came back and won the series 4-3.

On to the second round, Detroit faced LeBron’s previous team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. James must have came across a rare case of stage fright, losing the series 4-1. Stephen Curry‘s Golden State Warriors ended up taking home the title in this simulation against the Toronto Raptors.

While LeBron took Detroit to the playoffs, he was unable to get them out of the second round. How will Kevin Durant fare?

Kevin Durant:

Kevin Durant takes his turn with the Detroit Pistons, hoping to lead them to glory. Much like James, Durant slides in at the small forward spot, joining the four previous starters LeBron had. But, can Durant have a greater impact and prove his greatness?

Curiously, Detroit finished with an identical 51-31 record, though this time landing the first seed in the East. By some miracle, the Chicago Bulls scraped their way into the second seed, with a record of 50-32. The Cavaliers, even with LeBron back on the roster, ended with the third seed.

Again, Andre Drummond was able to find his way onto the All-NBA first team, alongside new teammate Kevin Durant.

With the first seed in the playoffs, Detroit looks to add a ring to their collection. In the first round, Kevin Durant and company face the Washington Wizards. With ease, they win the series 4-1. Without Durant, the Warriors mysteriously lose to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round.

The Pistons face the Toronto Raptors in the second round, again taking the series 4-1. Detroit is plowing through the East, eventually taking out LeBron James and the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals 4-1.

Kevin Durant, already getting the Pistons farther than LeBron, looks for gold in the 2017 NBA Finals. The 2K Portland Trailblazers must know something the real Blazers do not, somehow reaching the Finals in this simulation. With a 56-26 record, Portland fought their way through the West and earned a Finals berth.

Kevin Durant averaged just under 20 points in the Finals, eventually winning the series 4-2 and taking home the Finals MVP for Detroit.

Next: Back to reality, is Zach Collins the right choice at 12?

So, according to NBA 2K17, Kevin Durant had the most impact on the Detroit Pistons, leading them to their first NBA championship since 2004. But, who would really have the most impact for Detroit? LeBron James or Kevin Durant?

Home/Pistons News