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Detroit Pistons 2018-19 season preview: Odds Edition

By Steven Garcia

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 8: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons is introduced against the Brooklyn Nets during a pre-season game on October 8, 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 - OCTOBER 8: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons is introduced against the Brooklyn Nets during a pre-season game on October 8, 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) /
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DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 10: The Detroit Pistons looks on against the Washington Wizards during a pre-season game on October 10, 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 10: The Detroit Pistons looks on against the Washington Wizards during a pre-season game on October 10, 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 Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Wins

Over/Under = 38 Wins (As of Oct. 13th) via Odds Shark.

Our first prop is the over/under, and I’m already insulted. The lizard people in Las Vegas must not have seen the video of Andre Drummond shooting corner 3-pointers.

This over/under reflects the thin malaise covering the national media’s perception of the Pistons. I know this isn’t a team vying for a Larry O’Brien Trophy – but they will end up over .500. Thirty-eight wins is actually one less victory than the Pistons were able to muster last year.

Last season (cue flashback effects) didn’t exactly go as planned.

Reggie Jackson, possibly the single most-important cog in the Stan Van Gundy era, was injured early in the season. The team’s offense exited with him, and a trade for Blake Griffin (criticized as a desperate death knell for Van Gundy) was executed.

That’s two dramatic detours from the playing style the team had been sculpting for three years.

This is the most-talented Pistons’ roster in years, if everyone manages to stay healthy. They’ll easily add at least two wins to last year’s total. Note my gigantic qualifier: if everyone stays healthy.

Vegas, with their win total, is banking on another long-term injury for Jackson or Griffin.

Even so, I would counter with the assumed growth of players like Andre Drummond, Stanley Johnson, and Luke Kennard. As well as the addition of Khyri Thomas, Bruce Brown, and Glenn Robinson III – one of which should be able to earn a regular rotation wing position, a role that the team sorely lacked last year.

I’m also banking on either Jon Leuer or Henry Ellenson being able to contribute and stretch the defense. If Dwane Casey’s rotations are similar to last year’s, and the Pistons continue to stagger Griffin and Drummond, a regularly contributing stretch four could open up the offense for whichever big remains on the floor.

If we take Ellenson’s high usage during Summer League into consideration, we can assume that he’ll earn more playing time in the upcoming season. As for Leuer, well, I guess you could call me an optimist.

In addition to a (hopefully) healthier and deeper roster, there will be a different philosophy communicated from the sidelines, as Dwane Casey takes over Stan Van Gundy’s position.

I would never label Van Gundy a bad coach. But it’s no secret that he didn’t trust younger players. Casey brings a reputation as a player’s coach and has a clear willingness to play the inexperienced.

If Casey can turn the young Pistons into contributors, as he did with the youngsters in Toronto, it instantly makes Detroit a deeper team.

Pair all of this with a more experienced, but still-young-and-improving roster, and there’s no way this team finishes with a lower record than last year. Injuries be damned, take the over baby! They’re headed for the fifth seed!

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