Pistons' dream season vs. the likely reality
After watching the Detroit Pistons be the worst team in the NBA over the last five seasons, it’s hard to know what to expect in the next one.
The Homer in me wants to think the Pistons did enough this offseason to at least improve and added players who better complement the young core, which will speed up their development.
The realist looks at this team and sees more of the same: they are too young, not a great fit, with over-the-hill veterans who won’t be with the team the whole season. Rinse and repeat.
It wouldn’t take much to satisfy impatient fans, who just want a team worth cheering for, one that is trying to win and not just push the “wait until next year” mantra in perpetuity.
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The “dream” season is in reach, but after watching the Pistons repeated failures, it’s easy to see a more likely reality.
Detroit Pistons’ dream season vs. the ugly truth
The Dream: The Pistons are better than expected
I don’t think it’s completely insane to think the Pistons could be better than most predictions. If everything broke right for them, the additions of Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr. and a full season of Simone Fontecchio could propel the Pistons forward much like veteran offseason additions did for Houston last year.
The Pistons aren’t likely to win 41 games like the Rockets did, but could fall somewhere in between Houston and Utah in the 30-35 win range, which would be a victory for a young team on the rise.
The Reality: The Detroit Pistons win 25 games
Most publications have the Pistons winning somewhere between 25-27 games next season, which would be an improvement but not one fans are going to be too excited about.
Let’s face it, even winning 25 games would be an 11-game improvement and the best record the team has had in six seasons. It’s more likely we get baby steps instead of leaps in Trajan Langdon’s first season as team president.
Another season of a win total in the 20’s is not what fans are looking for, but it’s likely what they are going to get unless everything goes right.
So, what does that look like?