Optimism a common theme among Detroit Pistons players, coaches

AUBURN HILLS, MI. - SEPTEMBER 26: Reggie Jackson #1 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons poses for a photo during the 2016-2017 Detroit Pistons media day on September 26, 2016 in Auburn Hills, MI. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Rick Osentoski/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI. - SEPTEMBER 26: Reggie Jackson #1 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons poses for a photo during the 2016-2017 Detroit Pistons media day on September 26, 2016 in Auburn Hills, MI. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Rick Osentoski/NBAE via Getty Images)

Positivity and optimism have been two common themes from media day and the start of training camp for the Detroit Pistons. What are the reasons for this?

The Detroit Pistons are just two days into training camp. They’re one week away from their first preseason game. The wheels are just starting to turn.

Fans and media members have been exposed to a lot since media day and the start of training camp. It’s a lot to grasp when you’re following all of it.

Nothing too serious has truly started yet. However, a lot of the players are very optimistic about the upcoming season. I know this might seem like a very common theme.

No matter the situation, professional athletes come off as mostly positive about what is going on around their respective teams.

There’s been something that just feels different. It’s been a collective message from some of the key players on this team as well as head coach Dwane Casey.

He talked on media day about how pleased he with his team on coming together this summer. Blake Griffin recruited a lot of the players for the Pistons for workouts instead of having guys all over the country working on their skills separately.

Some of the Pistons leaders talked about high goals that this team has this season. Blake Griffin wants home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Here are his comments regarding this topic in Vince Ellis’ article from the Detroit Free Press:

"“Our expectations should be high,” Griffin said. “In the East, with our roster, I don’t see why getting home court in the playoffs is not a reasonable expectation.“I’ve played in the playoffs and been fortunate enough to be on teams to know that once you get in the playoffs… Getting home court or not could be the deciding factor in a Game 7.”"

Andre Drummond also mentioned that the time is now for this team.

Those are fantastic things to hear coming from those specific players. I think that part has to do with the presence of coach Casey.

Many of the players have also talked about how Casey is taking them out of their individual boxes. What I get from this is that he’s having certain players expand upon what they’re doing.

For example, Andre Drummond getting the nod to take three-point shots.

The optimism could be completely over-played on my end. However, these are all great signs as we’re just out of the gates this season. It feels like they’re buying in right away and that the change in head coaching was the right move by owner Tom Gores.

That positivity has translated over to the beginning of training camp. Here is what Casey had to say after their first day of camp with Keith Langlois:

"“I loved our energy,” he said. “I thought the energy was great. Guys competed hard, running the floor hard, in great condition. Guys’ motors are a little bit faster than they’ve normally been going, so some of the turnovers we knew were going to happen. But I loved the energy, togetherness."

The Detroit Pistons could surprise some people in the 2018 season. Sometimes all you need is a breath of fresh air.