Detlef Schrempf predicts Detroit Pistons will make the NBA Finals
Why He May Be Wrong
Like many Detroit Pistons’ fans, I can be a cynic when it comes to my favorite team. Outside of the bubble of Pistons Twitter, the talking points are usually negative. I’m going to piggyback onto Detlef’s optimism and keep this part as short as possible because we all know why Detroit is likely not going to make the NBA Finals.
- They are a Blake Griffin injury away from being a lottery team.
- They lack depth at small forward. That’s putting it lightly considering the Joe Johnson signing.
- Luke Kennard still has a lot to prove as a wing both offensively and defensively.
- Andre Drummond has yet to add a consistent shot outside of the paint and may not be on the team by the trade deadline.
- They have no cap space and few attractive assets to trade for better players.
playoffs?. 5 reasons the Pistons won't make the playoffs. light
- Reggie Jackson and Derrick Rose both have recent injury history and an injury to either or both leaves Detroit in serious trouble.
- Although they get perimeter shots up at a high volume, they’re highly inefficient.
- Bruce Brown also has a lot to prove as the Pistons starting shooting guard. Without any consistent form of offense from him, Detroit could have problems.
- The East is going to be a dog fight, especially in the middle of the standings.
It’s easy to see the Pistons making a mini-leap into the 6-7 seed or maybe even a big jump into the 4-5 seed. However it’s difficult to imagine them leapfrogging teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers or Boston Celtics just by adding Tony Snell and Rose to a 41-41 team. Everything on planet Earth would have to break right for Detroit to make the NBA Finals.
It’s easy to be cynical. But like Schrempf, I am man of great depths (not really) and am willing to jump on the back of Schrempf’s unicorn for a minute and believe he could be right.