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The Top 10 Most Important Detroit Pistons Moments of the Decade

By Steven Garcia

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 20: Dwane Casey (L) poses with Tom Gores (C) owner of the Detroit Pistons and Ed Stefanski (R) senior adviser at Little Caesars Arena on June 20, 2018 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 20: Dwane Casey (L) poses with Tom Gores (C) owner of the Detroit Pistons and Ed Stefanski (R) senior adviser at Little Caesars Arena on June 20, 2018 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 22: Luke Kennard Detroit Pistons (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 22: Luke Kennard Detroit Pistons (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

9. Pistons Draft Luke Kennard

Luke Kennard, in a vacuum, is an excellent draft pick. In fact, he’s the best draft pick the Pistons have made this decade, outside of Drummond. (I’m ignoring Khris Middleton and Spencer Dinwiddie who are great players but didn’t spend much time on the Pistons.)

He’s become a starter with all-star potential; a perennial 40 percent three-point shooter who can run the offense and possesses above-average court-vision. His transformation into the American Manu Ginobili has been one of the few reasons to tune into the Pistons lately. He should and will be a cornerstone player moving forward. Unfortunately, the decision to draft Kennard will always be tied to who the Pistons decided NOT to draft: Donovan Mitchell.

With most NBA Drafts you can play the What-If game and it’s usually not an exercise worth exploring. But regarding Kennard over Mitchell, I think it’s fair to compare the two when we examine the Pistons’ most important moments of the 2010s. Not only did they play the same position, but Mitchell was immediately selected after Kennard. Mitchell was also projected to go ahead of Kennard in mocks.

Related Story. Luke Kennard needs to take the next step. light

This is a list about the 2010 decade and even as I build my second house on Kennard Island, it’s hard to deny that Mitchell has been the superior player the past 3 years. Donovan Mitchell entered the league and was immediately a star. Kennard came into the league and progressed like a normal NBA Pro. In fact, he’s on a similar trajectory as Manu Ginobili and James Harden. Check out how their numbers compare for year 3.

As we head into 2020, Kennard will continue to close the gap, as he has done since his rookie year. Who knows, maybe Kennard’s superior passing and three-point shot will eventually prove to be just as valuable as Mitchell’s incredible scoring ability.

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