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Why the Detroit Pistons are the city’s best hope for a playoff run

By Christopher Frost

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 24: Detroit Pistons huddle before the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 24, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 24: Detroit Pistons huddle before the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 24, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 26: Blake Griffin #23 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 26, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 26: Blake Griffin #23 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 26, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Fearsome front court

The Detroit Pistons have two All-Stars in Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin.

Many believe that Griffin has lost a step. But can you name a more talented power forward in the East, or better yet, one that can even guard Griffin?

Allow me to get off on a tangent, but look at the other talented fours in the conference like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Aaron Gordon.

Griffin can physically dominate both of them in the post, and hang with Antetokounmpo defensively, who may be the toughest to guard.

Griffin will be an All-Star this year if he remains healthy. The Pistons have what can be a dominant interior presence with Griffin and Drummond. When both are on their game, they can be a top four or five combo in the East.

I don’t see many teams being able to match up with those two in the post, or being able to out-rebound them. If you double team Griffin or Drummond, each have good enough vision and ability to find the open man and make the right pass.

I’m hoping that Dwayne Casey is able to utilize more of their strengths to jump-start the offense, rather than it being stagnant when either player gets the ball in the post.

If Griffin’s jumper is more consistent, you can run the pick and roll with him and Drummond, which would open up another world of challenges for opponents.

If Casey can get both players to buy in just a little more defensively, that would lead to more fast-break opportunities, and these two excel at running the floor.

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