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Detroit Pistons: Takeaways from the Playoffs

By Ben Lanza

Detroit Pistons Blake Griffin. (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons Blake Griffin. (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 20: Thon Maker #7 of the Detroit Pistons collides with Ersan Ilyasova #77 of the Milwaukee Bucks while going to the basket during Game Three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on April 20, 2019 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. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Thon Maker is… a work in progress

It is still too early to say who won the Thon Maker for Stanley Johnson swap (simplified for the Piston’s purposes). I don’t know how well Stanley would have played in the series, but I do know that Thon had a rough go of it. His “big brother” Giannis Antetokounmpo dunked all over him multiple times, and it seemed like every time Giannis took the ball at Thon he was headed to the free throw line for two. While he provided a lot of energy, he will need to do a lot of work in the offseason to bulk up and be able to hold his own down low. The offensive side of the ball may have been worse. Thon shot 0-12 from three point range for the series, and shot 7 for 26 from the field overall. The Pistons knew that they were getting a raw player in Thon, but he needs to make strides on both sides of the ball. The potential is there, whether Thon can put it together remains to be seen.

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