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Detroit Pistons are good, but far from contenders at this point

By Braden Shackelford

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons yells from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 20, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Cleveland won the game 116-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons yells from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 20, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Cleveland won the game 116-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers last night serves as a reminder that the Pistons are still a ways away from being considered serious contenders.

The Detroit Pistons had every reason to lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers last night. The Pistons were on the second night of back-to-back and had played three of the last four nights. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, had had a nice three day break to prep for the Pistons.

This, along with the talent on the Cavaliers’ roster formulated into a convincing win against Detroit (116-88) in a game that was really never close.

The Pistons could use the these factors as excuses, but this game was indicative of just how far the Pistons are from being able to contend. That being said, do I think the Pistons can beat the Cavaliers? I do. Do I think the Pistons can improve rest of season and be a really strong team? I believe that.

However, I do not believe the Pistons can realistically improve enough to beat the Cavaliers in a playoff series.

The Pistons have played much better than anyone could have predicted, and this season will be exciting because the team should be able to maintain this level of play, if not exceed it as the season continues. The unexpected improvement alone will make the fan base proud to watch and root for the Pistons.

Perspective is important though, and for Pistons fans that culminates in the realization that this season is probably not going to be their year—something 99.9% of us already knew.

While LeBron James is aging, unless he moves west this offseason, it’s hard to see a clear path for the Pistons next season too. The Philadelphia 76ers are on the rise, and assuming Gordon Hayward makes a full recovery, the Boston Celtics should be even better next season.

While the Pistons are well positioned for the future (I really like the nucleus of Tobias Harris, Stanley Johnson, and Andre Drummond), it will need to find a way to add a game-changing talent, or hope for miraculous improvements from what is already on the roster.

The Pistons have figured out how to be good, but the biggest challenge remains figuring out how to be great, something many teams never put together.

Next: Should Detroit Pistons alter its rotation when team gets healthy?

Let’s hope this team can.

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