NBA Finals giving Pistons a warning in ALL CAPS that they need to hear

The New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in game one of the NBA Finals and only turned the ball over eight times in the process. I hope the Detroit Pistons were watching. 

The Pistons had turnover issues all season, as they were just 23rd in the league, averaging over 15 per game. That problem only got worse in the playoffs, when the number jumped up to 16 just at the time when taking care of the ball is mandatory for survival. 

The Pistons learned the hard way, and it cost them a chance at the Eastern Conference Finals, as turnovers are especially damaging to a team that struggled to score in the half court in the playoffs and had to win the possession game. 

The Knicks were 5th in the NBA in turnovers per game this season and the Spurs were 7th. Add in the top three of Boston, OKC and Denver, and we have most of the teams that were considered true contenders coming into the playoffs. 

It’s clear that taking care of the ball matters, especially in the playoffs when defenses are more engaged, focused and physical. 

It’s also clear that the Pistons need to do something about it if they want to keep progressing in the playoffs. 

The Pistons need more ballhandlers 

I’m getting sick of writing this sentence, but yes, the Pistons desperately need more guys who can competently handle the ball. 

Every player in the Knicks starting five can handle the ball competently and do something with it in a pinch. New York also brought four guards off the bench, all of whom can handle the ball without turning it over. 

The Spurs coughed up 13 turnovers last night, but they too have competent ballhandlers up and down their roster. 

The Pistons pretty much have two in Cade Cunningham and Daniss Jenkins.

Cunningham had copious turnovers in the playoffs, some of which can probably be chalked up to fatigue after carrying the team on his back on a freshly collapsed lung and broken rib.

Excuses aside, Cade simply has to get better at taking care of the ball, but the Pistons also need to get him some help. 

The Pistons have too many players that are negative ball handlers who are a constant threat to cough it up (Duren, Stewart, Holland, Green, LeVert) or aren’t capable of dribbling/passing their way out of trouble. Detroit has other players in Duncan Robinson and Tobias Harris who don't turn it over much but aren't much threat to do anything with the ball either.

Hopefully some of that ballhandling will come from an improved Ausar Thompson, but the Pistons can’t count on him alone. The NBA Finals are showing that being able to handle the pressure of playoff defense without turning it over is a crucial skill. 

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