Detroit Pistons: 3 positive stats that show signs of growth

Detroit Pistons growth stats: Possessions and Pace

The Pistons are 2nd in league in total possessions and 17th in pace.

Pace can be a funny statistic.

A simple example can be found last season. The worst record in the league Houston Rockets were 2nd in the league in pace and 3rd in league in total possessions.

One might look at this and say that pace and total possessions do not correlate to winning and that would probably be true. I choose to look at it a little differently.

Last year’s Houston Rockets were getting plenty of possessions, getting the ball up and down, and gaining extra possessions by effectively rebounding. Unfortunately, they weren’t doing one important thing – shooting well. They were 24th in the league in field goal percentage.

The Detroit Pistons have a similar profile this season. They are 2nd in the NBA in possessions, just below the Utah Jazz, and 17th in pace.

Looking at any statistic in a vacuum is a mistake, even more so with pace, but there are some things we can pull from this.

The best teams combine good pace with a high field goal percentage and growing teams play faster. The Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings are both punching above their weight class so far this season and are in the top six in pace.

The key thing for the Pistons is ending their “top of the league” number of possessions on a positive note – not with a missed shot or a turnover.

The Detroit Pistons destiny with this roster profile is a fast-playing team that demoralizes you with effort and athleticism. Think Memphis Grizzlies.

The foundations are being laid and these stats show that.