3 Most important things to watch in the Pistons 1st preseason game

We had some live Detroit Pistons games a few months ago, even if it was just Summer League. Outside of those exhibitions, it has been almost six months since we’ve watched the Pistons in an actual game. Even if it is just preseason, we will get our first look at the new-look Pistons when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday in their first preseason game.

Here's what to look for.

How the rookies fare against actual NBA players

As we previously pointed out, we have already got a look at our rookies to some extent from Summer League. Ron Holland averaged 18.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.5 stocks and shot 23.5 percent from three on 27.4 minutes per game. Bobi Klintmann averaged 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 stocks and 42 percent from three on 29 minutes per night. 

There are a few NBA players that partake in SL, but the majority of talent participating is far below an actual NBA game. While preseason won’t be an exact representation of an actual NBA game, it’s a step closer than Summer League. 

I want to see both of these players get a decent amount of minutes, even if their actual minutes once we get to the regular season vanish. I want to see how they respond to actual game time coaching from JB Bickerstaff, actual NBA level talent, and how they play with the others on our roster. 

Who is in the Pistons starting lineup?

Some NBA teams have already released their starting lineups. They used their Media Day to let us know who their five will be. Unfortunately, Detroit was not one of those teams, which does make sense, as we have a new regime this year, a handful of newly added veterans, and still have a number of young players trying to find their spot on this roster. 

JB Bickerstaff mentioned that it’s their intent to use every preseason game to play with starting lineups in order to find the right combination, so we still won’t have an answer after just this game, but it’ll be a start. We will know their possible first priority lineup, and/or if they actually work well together. Will Jaden Ivey get the nod in preseason game number one? Will Malik Beasley? We will know soon.

How the newly added leadership plays and assists the young core

The last thing I will be keenly watching for in Detroit’s first preseason game is just the overall chemistry of this team. We have a drastically changed roster and coaching staff. I want to see how this team plays together and off one another. Will the addition of the floor spacing Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. open up the floor for Cade and Jaden? Will Tobias Harris’ scoring take a weight off of Cade and allow him to play a more efficient, cleaner game? 

Additionally, how much coaching will the veteran players give the young core during the game? Over and over again at Media Day, we heard about how the veterans are already going above and beyond for the young players on roster. Will we see some of that veteran leadership in a real game? My hope is that we see players like Tobias Harris, THJ, and Beasley take the time in between possessions to teach up the young guys.