Detroit Pistons: Power ranking the Eastern Conference
The Detroit Pistons finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference last season, winning only 20 games on their way to the number one pick in the NBA Draft.
They got their guy in Cade Cunningham, a complete prospect who could be the next superstar in the NBA.
They’ve also added free agent Kelly Olynyk, who should help the young guards develop, as well as Trey Lyles, who gives the Pistons another shooter off the bench.
Other than waiting to see what will happen with Hamidou Diallo and Frank Jackson, the Pistons’ roster is more or less set and I think they can count on getting better between their additions and internal improvement from their young core.
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The Detroit Pistons played competitively last season even though they didn’t win much, and hope to turn some of those close losses into wins. Cade Cunningham thinks the Pistons can get to the playoffs in his first season, but he may have to pump the brakes on that.
The rest of the Eastern Conference got better as well, and the conference is deeper than it has been in a long time, so where does that leave the young Pistons?
Let’s take a look at the current power rankings for the Eastern Conference and where the Pistons stand. Have they moved up?
Eastern Conference power rankings: The Bucks are the team to beat
Until Giannis Antetokounmpo shows some signs of decline or decides to go to another team, the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
They have a great trio in Giannis, Middleton and Jrue Holiday along with solid role players like Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis, who recently re-signed. They did lose PJ Tucker which will hurt, but they brought in George Hill, Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye, who could take Tucker’s role.
East Power rankings #2-Brooklyn Nets
From top to bottom the Nets probably have the most talent, but I don’t trust them all to stay healthy.
They’ve added some toughness with James Johnson, and added another potential bench scorer in the draft in Cameron Thomas.
They re-signed former Pistons Blake Griffin and Bruce Brown but did lose backup Spencer Dinwiddie, who didn’t play last season anyway. Instead they inked Patty Mills, who adds some insurance against the inevitable Kyrie Irving injury. The Nets are going to be very good.