The Detroit Pistons (4-16) have hit the 20-game mark of the season after losing their sixth in a row last night to the LA Lakers.
Losing to the hated Lakers again was bad enough, but the Pistons once again put up a stink bomb quarter that cost them the game. The Pistons have been a pretty good 3-quarter team this season, but unfortunately NBA games have four quarters.
The Pistons are plain bad right now and there is no way to sugarcoat it. They are worse in nearly every measurable category than they were last season, when they won 20 games.
The shooting is historically bad, and there is no sign that is going to change anytime soon.
There haven’t been many bright spots in the first 20 games and there is some level of concern for every player on the roster.
I’ve ranked my worry from “Too soon to tell” all the way to “Not long for Detroit.”
Detroit Pistons worry meter: Too soon to tell
Cade Cunningham, Saben Lee, Luka Garza and Killian Hayes
We haven’t seen enough of these guys to really be worried yet, as they are rookies and second year players going through typical growing pains.
Cade Cunningham has proven himself to be an impact player in many ways and looks like a star of the future, but has struggled mightily with his shot. I expect this to come around as the season progresses, and when it does, he’ll be a triple-double threat every time he steps on the floor. I’d like to see Cade drive more and not rely so heavily on long-range shots while he is struggling, but overall I am not worried. He’s going to be a star.
Killian Hayes has missed time with a sprained thumb but has been an impact player at times when he’s in there. His shot is coming along but he still struggles big time from inside the arc, which is a concern. I like Hayes’ progress so far but still need to see a lot more of him.
Saben Lee and Luka Garza are second-round picks who haven’t gotten much run. Lee is a G-League MVP but hasn’t shown much at the NBA level so far. Fans are clamoring for him to play, but I think the more they see him, the less they’ll clamor.
Same with Garza, who struggles defensively, as he is very slow even after slimming down. I think he will figure it out, as he does have an offensive bag, and plays harder than anyone out there.
All of these guys have shown flashes and hopefully we’ll see them more consistently as they get more experience.