A non-tanking year for Pistons smart, too much competition

Why it is smart for Detroit Pistons not to tank

First, there is just so much losing players can take. Three years of being one of the worst teams in the NBA wears on players (and fans). You start asking ‘what’s the point’ if all you do is lose. Maybe they won’t be battling the Milwaukee Bucks for first place this season, but Detroit players need more tastes of victory than 20-23 games a year.

Remember, the Pistons have not had the worst record in the NBA the past few years, close, but not rock bottom. It really takes a lot of losing to have the absolute worst record, and there will be a lot of teams trying this year to be the absolute worst.

Going, say 29-53, which is bad, but not pathetic, could leave Detroit with like the No. 7 pick and little chance of moving up.

Weaver and coach Dwane Casey probably figure it is pointless to try and have a bad record – and join a crowded field of determined tankers. They figure, let’s just tee it up, and let it rip.