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Detroit Pistons: 3 positives and negatives of 2019-20 schedule

By Eric Black

Detroit Pistons Blake Griffin (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons Blake Griffin (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 29, 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 Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 29, 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 Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Negative: The ides of March

From March 11 through April 1 this is Detroit’s schedule: Philadelphia, Toronto, Orlando, Golden State, Lakers, Milwaukee, Portland, Clippers, Houston, Brooklyn. In the 2018-19 season, these teams averaged together 50 wins in the regular season. According to Jared Dubin, the Pistons March schedule is the fourth toughest month in terms of last year’s record (57.0 percent).

The argument can be made that Philadelphia, Toronto, and Orlando all either stayed the same or got worse this offseason with some key free agent losses and Orlando simply staying put by re-signing Nikola Vucevic. Philadelphia got Josh Richardson back for Jimmy Butler and signed Al Horford but Toronto lost Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and didn’t add much this offseason. But is Detroit absolutely better than any of these teams? No.

Related Story. How the Pistons' offseason stacks up against Eastern Conference elite. light

Golden State, Milwaukee, and Portland all made their respective conference finals last season and the Lakers added Anthony Davis.

The Clippers added Leonard and Paul George, who are better than anyone the Pistons have, Houston now has Westbrook and James Harden, Brooklyn added Kyrie Irving to already competitive squad with Kevin Durant healing from his Achillies tear.

Regardless of the Pistons success during this run, there’s going to be some incredible basketball on display. In a league where the cream usually rises to the top, going up against teams with two superstars is a big test for what Detroit is trying to accomplish with two big men. Only the Lakers and the Sixers are this loaded in the frontcourt with talent, so these contests will be especially important for the blueprint for this team going forward.

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