What would a Brooklyn Nets vs. Detroit Pistons playoff look like?

Detroit Pistons vs. Brooklyn Nets frontline

Power Forward

Blake Griffin vs. Kevin Durant

Blake Griffin has been one of the premier power forwards in the NBA for the last decade. However, coming off a year-long layoff and knee surgery, he has not had quite the pep in his step of years past. However, Griffin has morphed into a more all-around contributor, being among Detroit’s leaders in points, rebounds and assists. Just do not count on him to score 50 points in a game anymore.

Kevin Durant has also been one of the top power forwards in the league for years, and he won two titles with the Golden State Warriors before tearing his Achilles tendon. Now recovered, we will see if the grind of the NBA season has worn him down. His defense? Eh.

Advantage: Nets

If this was 2016, it might be even, but Griffin has not looked like himself so far, while Durant does not seem to have skipped a beat. Defensively, coach Dwane Casey might have to put Jerami Grant on Durant if he starts getting the hot hand.

Small forward

Jerami Grant vs. Joe Harris

Joe Harris, is 6-foot-6 but a very different kind of player than 6-9 Grant. He is known as a three-point shooting specialist and, when he is on, he can pour in the points. His defense? Eh.

Jerami Grant has emerged out of the shadows of the Denver Nuggets to become one of the top scorers in the NBA. He is not the most fluid performer, but at the end of the night, you can count on him having 20 or more points somehow.

Advantage: Pistons

Harris is a great outside shooter but he has been muffled in the playoffs before. He needs time to shoot and defenses in the playoffs are much tighter. He is also a defensive liability. Grant gives you more offensively and is a much better defensive player.

Center

Mason Plumlee vs. DeAndre Jordan

Mason Plumlee is coming off (like Grant) helping the Nuggets make a surprising run to the Western Conference finals, so playoff pressure is nothing new to him.

Plumlee does the little things that help you win playoff games, like setting picks, helping on defense and passing. He is not much of a scorer. He had been an average career rebounder but has done well this year rebounding for the Pistons.

DeAndre Jordan is 32-years-old and had lost his starting job to Jarrett Allen, before Allen left as part of the Harden trade. He is big and catches lobs and is a decent rebounder, but he has seen better days. His defense now? Eh.

Advantage: Pistons

Plumlee is only a year younger than Jordan but seems far more active. In terms of just all-around contributions, Plumlee is better. Jordan might have the better career, but, in 2021, Plumlee is the better center.