Detroit Pistons could learn from current playoff contenders

The Detroit Pistons can use the Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors as examples on how they can improve. Draft well and build a team that collaborates well.

The Detroit Pistons missed the playoffs for the second straight season. They finished 39-43 this season and four games out of the final playoff spot.

An evaluation process is done at the end of each season. It’s a time for coaches and general managers to take a long look at what could have been done better and what they liked about the season.

Head coach Stan Van Gundy can look no further than the teams that are still playing. All of them are much better than Detroit in some key areas.

There are currently eight teams left in the NBA playoffs. The Pistons could learn from a few things from the teams still competing for a title.

Focus on building a “team”

The Detroit Pistons have a top-heavy roster and it’s obvious. Whenever Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin both came off the floor down the stretch of the season, this team struggled mightily.

That is not to take away from the reserve players on the roster. I think they have talent. There was just no cohesion when they were on the floor together.

The Pistons finished 21st in the NBA in bench points.

Part of that had to do with the shuffling of the roster when the Griffin trade happened. The Reggie Jackson injury effected the lineup as well.

Anthony Tolliver was the only consistent player the Pistons had that came off the bench. He’s the only one you could trust knocking down a meaningful shot.

The Toronto Raptors are a perfect example of why teams need a productive bench to be successful in the modern day NBA.

Kyle Lowry could have a bad night. DeMar DeRozan could have a bad night.

That’s why they have players like C.J. Miles who can come off the bench and set the tone for the rest of the team. Miles plays well defensively and can shoot from long range.

Build your team through the draft

A popular topic this season by fans on social media has been the poor selections made by the Pistons in the NBA draft.

The most recent whiff was Donovan Mitchell. You’re familiar with the name, right?

He carried the Utah Jazz down the stretch of the regular season and now his team is competing with the Houston Rockets in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

Here are their last five first round picks.

12

Luke Kennard Shooting Guard

Scouting Report

KCP is no longer in Detroit. He’s now with the Los Angeles Lakers after the Pistons passed up on re-signing him after the end of last season.

Henry Ellenson has bounced from the G League to being a bench warmer for the Pistons. He needs to define his game more before he can make any kind of impact in the NBA.

Stanley Johnson has been a roller coaster project. There’s times when you think he might take that next step to becoming an every-game starter. Then there’s times where he frustrates fans so much that you wish he was never drafted.

Luke Kennard didn’t really get that big of a chance this year. He spent most of his time coming off the bench, even when Avery Bradley was traded.

Drummond is by far the most valuable pick out of this group.

Looking Forward

Unfortunately, the Detroit Pistons don’t have a first round pick in the upcoming draft. They don’t have the money to go out and get any big name role players to improve their bench.

The fans want action. We are sick of seeing mediocre talent play in an empty building.

Stan Van Gundy looks like he’s going to return to the Detroit Pistons. He needs to take note of these tips if the Detroit Pistons are going to improve.