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What’s next for the Detroit Pistons? A look into the season closure

ByEnoc Carranco|
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 9: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons stands for the National Anthem prior the the game against the Los Angeles Lakers (EDITORS NOTE this image has been converted to black and white) on January 9, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 9: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons stands for the National Anthem prior the the game against the Los Angeles Lakers (EDITORS NOTE this image has been converted to black and white) on January 9, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The madness the NBA Trade Deadline brings is over now, and the Detroit Pistons prepare themselves to close the season and get a spot in the Playoffs.

The Detroit Pistons are currently in 9th place in the Eastern Conference standings, just behind the Miami Heat by one and a half games and not so far from 7th and 6th place (Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets respectively).

Then, behind the Pistons there is the Orlando Magic and the Washington Wizards, with two and two and a half games behind the Pistons in that order.

The additions of Svi Mykhailiuk and Thon Maker, make the team a bit stronger; both in the paint and the outside shot, something that has been needed when the starters take a sit and the bench comes in, and most of the times that is where the team’s great start, goes down in a heart beat.

If we add to this the great interest the Pistons have for Wayne Ellington (per Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN), who was waived by the Phoenix Suns) and his outside shooting, the team could take a big leap to get to that 6th place occupied by the Nets (I really hope they can get Wayne).

* UPDATE: The Pistons are closing in on a deal with Ellington, per Woj.*

So, what’s next for the Pistons and the season closure? With only 29 more games to play, they can’t afford to play at half-gas, lack of hustle or to be inconsistent at all, they really need to go out and perform with a sense of urgency.

The loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers last week, left us all (fans and players), with a bad taste and, what could have been a four game winning streak and (perhaps) the 8th spot in the East, vanished real quick.

That kind of flaws, inconsistency and lack of concentration have no place for the remainder of the season, and if they want to reach the Playoffs; every player on the squad must show their best version of themselves and play hard, smart and together (I think I’ve heard that before) starting today, when they face the New York Knicks at Little Caesar’s Arena.

Personally I think that the talent is there, it will only take three things to happen: the “new guys” adapting quickly, togetherness and above all, defense, which has always been the standard of this franchise and their winnings teams.

If these aspects happen; we might enjoy seeing our team in Playoffs again, otherwise we’ll have to wait for the long process of summer workouts, the draft and the off-season moves.

So, as the slogan stands: “It starts here”.

GO PISTONS!

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