Detroit Pistons miss on early December opportunities
By Ku Khahil
The Detroit Pistons are in the midst of a tough stretch against some good teams. However, they’ve had their chances and have not capitalized.
The Detroit Pistons were riding a pretty big wave before this December gauntlet had started.
Blake Griffin is healthy as ever, and his playing arguably his best basketball of his career.
Andre Drummond has been dominating the glass, and is showing improved rim protection.
Stanley Johnson was becoming a force off the bench, molding into the player a certain someone has always believed he’d be (me).
Luke Kennard was on his way back from injury.
It all was looking up for a squad riding a five game winning streak, with a convincing win over the Golden State Warriors.
Things have started to fall part since then.
The December gauntlet snapped it’s fingers, and just like that, half of the Pistons rotation disappeared.
Kennard returned, just for Reggie Bullock to injure his ankle in the same night.
While getting dusted off the court by the Milwaukee Bucks, Ish Smith suffered an adductor muscle tear.He’s going to be gone for a hot minute.
Johnson, after having a rough outing against the Bucks, was a late scratch to the December 7th game against the 76ers and also missed the 116-106 loss to the Pelicans with a knee contusion.
These injuries came at a terrible time, especially if you take into the circumstances.
The Pistons are currently on a four game losing streak to the Thunder, Bucks, 76ers, and Pelicans.
Against the Bucks, Khris Middleton missed that game. Opportunity squashed.
Against the 76ers, Joel Embiid was held out by head coach Brett Brown due to fatigue. Again, opportunity squashed.
Finally, against the Pelicans, Anthony Davis suffered an injury early in the game and ended with only six points and nine rebounds. Another opportunity squashed.
The injuries to the rotation no doubt has had a big part in not capitalizing on these chances given to them, but that’s not an excuse.
The Pistons were up by 15 against the 76ers in the second half and blew it.
The Pistons were dominated by Jrue Holiday and his minions without Davis on the floor against the Pelicans.
And the Bucks game… just was horrid.
Anyone with an understanding of the war against the December Gauntlet knew this would be a tough stretch for the Pistons. That’s why it hurts to not have capitalized on these opposing teams injuries.
When given chances like this, the Pistons have to feast on them.
Injuries don’t excuse losing a 15 point second half lead, not even showing up to play the Bucks, and allowing the Pelicans to manhandle you while Davis is hurt.
The Detroit Pistons need to get their players healthy.
They also need to capitalize on opportunities given to them.