Detroit Pistons: One thing to be worried about every Eastern Conference team
Dangerously Frisky
While these three teams are not great (or even that good) they all have at least one thing that can beat you on a given night. Detroit is clearly better than these three teams but if the Pistons don’t show up, they’ll get run off the floor. Detroit’s record against this group will be very telling. If Detroit has a mediocre or losing record against these three, they will not contend in the East.
Washington Wizards
With the injured John Wall eating up a huge chunk of their cap space, the Wizards’ had a tough time putting together a competitive NBA roster. They’d be in the first category if it weren’t for Bradley Beal. The star guard averaged 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game and probably should have made an All-NBA team. He’ll be the focus for every team playing the Wizards because they don’t have much else, no offense to Ish Smith. Beal is good enough to beat teams by himself some nights, so he must be the focus. This game will be a good test for Bruce Brown. Can he be a lockdown defender? We’ll find out against Beal.
light. Related Story. Breaking down a Bradley Beal trade
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are a young team and have some talent, but they are a team Detroit should handle. Chicago can put points on the board and feature two gifted scorers in Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen. Markkanen should concern Detroit the most, as his combination of height, quickness and shooting presents matchup problems for Detroit. Neither Andre Drummond nor Blake Griffin will be able to stay in front of Markkanen, so the task will likely fall on Tony Snell and Markieff Morris, who will need to push Markkanen around. If he’s healthy, Markkanen will be a big worry for Detroit.
Atlanta Hawks
Though they finished 29-53 last season, the Atlanta Hawks were a young, exciting team that is looking to make a big leap in 2019-20. The Hawks’ wagon will be firmly hitched to the star of point guard Trae Young, who came on in the latter half of last season, making a push for Rookie of the Year. Young is lightning quick, and Detroit has no one who can stay in front of him. If his 3-point shooting continues to improve, Young will be difficult to stop with the likes of Reggie Jackson, Brown or Derrick Rose, all of whom are a step too slow. Young will be one of the point guards that keeps coach Dwane Casey up at night and Atlanta will be one of the teams hoping to leapfrog the Pistons into the playoffs.