PistonPowered
Fansided

Detlef Schrempf predicts Detroit Pistons will make the NBA Finals

By Aaron Kellerstrass

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 1: Blake Griffin #23 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons walks off the court after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 1, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 1: Blake Griffin #23 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons walks off the court after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 1, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons Andre Drummond. (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Why He Might Be Right

The Toronto Raptors won the NBA title with one superstar, two or three really talented players and a bunch of effective role players. If one wants to find reasons to believe Detroit can make the NBA Finals, they’d have to look to Toronto’s blueprint.

The Pistons have a superstar (Griffin), they  have two or three pretty good players (Drummond, Jackson and Rose) and some effective role players (Kennard, Markieff Morris and Snell) so who knows? The Raptors showed that even in the “Age of the Superteam” anything can happen.

More from PistonPowered

The best team doesn’t always win. There are injuries. The league is more balanced. The best reason to be optimistic is last year’s champs. We know Detroit isn’t as good or as deep, but the blueprint is kinda, sorta there if you look hard enough. Here are some optimistic counterpoints:

  • Dwane Casey has made it clear he understands that Griffin needs rest. He has changed his style of play and with increased rest and less usage he may be able to avoid significant injury.
  • Snell is better than what the national media will recognize and is a massive upgrade at small forward.
  • Kennard has more potential than most fans will give him credit for, and could emerge as a legitimate scoring option for Detroit.
  • Drummond doesn’t need to shoot, he needs to play great defense, dunk a lot and be the best rebounder in the league.
  • They still have the Jackson and Langston Galloway contracts that might net a better player at some point in the season via trade.
  • Their perimeter shooting should improve if Kennard gets more touches and Snell increases his shot volume from his career averages. Their wing defense will be better with Snell and Morris. Their second unit will get them points, and Detroit has way more lineup flexibility than last year.
  • Tim Frazier is the best third point guard the Pistons have had in a while, has started some games in the past and should be able to fill in if Jackson and Rose go down or need a night off.
  • Brown may be the starter but won’t play starter’s minutes. He’s arguably Detroit’s best on-ball defender and it looks like his shot has improved.
  • Is the Eastern Conference really going to be better? Aside from the Bucks and 76ers the East is full of teams that aren’t too far apart. It wouldn’t shock me to see a team like the Indiana Pacers or Boston Celtics get hot at the right time and win the East.

That’s it! I’ve talked myself into it. I am buying property on Schrempf island and saying the Pistons might just shock the NBA and make it to the NBA Finals.

Complete Guide to the Detroit Pistons 2019-2020 Season. dark. Next

It’s a long shot, a very long shot, like pig’s flying or Detlef Schrempf winning an Oscar territory, but there’s a shot, as minuscule as it may be. I’m a Pistons’ fan, I’ll take it. Let us welcome Schrempf into the circle of Pistons’ believers, may his square head and weird name forever be our banner.

Home/Pistons News