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Detroit Pistons: Ranking the 5 best defenders on the roster

By Aaron Kellerstrass

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 10: Enes Kanter #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at Moda Center on April 10, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 10: Enes Kanter #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter at Moda Center on April 10, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons, Josh Jackson
Josh Jackson #20 of the Detroit Pistons with Mason Plumlee #24 and Saddiq Bey: Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE. /

The Detroit Pistons had the 10th best defense in the NBA last season in terms of points allowed per game and will be trying to build on that strength.

The Pistons may not have many great shooters, but they do have a lot of guys who can defend, which is a smart way to build a team, as all of the top squads in the NBA last season were among the league-leaders in defense.

Related Story. Ranking the top-5 shooters on the Pistons roster. light

I think the Pistons’ defense will be even better next season, as their second-year guys should all get better and they have added Cade Cunningham to the backcourt, a guy who could be elite on the defensive end.

It was actually difficult to make this list and I had to exclude guys like Saddiq Bey and Hamidou Diallo, who are quality defenders.

That’s a good sign for the Pistons, who are trying to win as they always have, by building around a solid defense.

Here are the top-5 defenders currently on the roster.

Detroit Pistons best defenders #5- Josh Jackson

Jackson can’t shoot and is a turnover machine, which is why I think he’ll ultimately be traded sometime before next year’s trade deadline.

But I love his defense, as Jackson is 6-foot-8, can guard multiple spots on the perimeter and has the type of tenacity Pistons fans love on that end.

Jackson averaged just under a steal and a block per game for the Pistons last season and the defensive intensity usually ratcheted up a few notches when he came into the game.

If Jackson can ever figure his shot out, he has All-Star potential (big IF though) as he can get after it on defense.

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