The Detroit Pistons season will start on this upcoming Wednesday when the Charlotte Hornets come to visit the motor city. This past offseason has been a whirlwind of player movement, from blockbuster trades to a stacked draft class, the league is bound to be full of excitement and intriguing games. As the Pistons are set to break in Little Caesers Arena here are my 5 bold predictions for the Pistons upcoming season.
- Andre Drummond averages 17PPG and 15RPG
The big man is the most important part of the puzzle for Detroit. The team will live and die on the performance of Drummond. Entering his sixth NBA season Drummond is still only 24 years old. This season will tell us a lot about what type of career is in store for the University of Connecticut product. After five seasons Drummond has averaged a double-double, standing almost seven feet tall, Drummond is perhaps the best rebounder in the league. This season will be the best yet, with an improved team around him and the further developed chemistry between him and his guards Drummond will be a bigger presence offensively giving him the desire to grab even more rebounds. Drummond will be an all-star once again and will lead the league in rebounds.
2. Ish Smith takes over as the starting point guard
Ish Smith is the best point guard on the Pistons roster. He outplayed Reggie Jackson down the stretch last season and the Pistons were a more efficient team with Smith running point. Smith is the superior passer and defender, Smith also gets to the basket better than Jackson can. Perhaps the only thing that Jackson has on Smith is a jump shot. A jump shot that is often taken at ill-advised times and despite teammates having better opportunities to score. Jackson plays like a primary scoring option when he is far from such. As long as he plays in such a selfish manner, the Pistons will be better off with Smith on the court. By the 30th game of the season, SVG will have no choice but to turn to the superior guard, no matter the contract that Jackson has.
3. Luke Kennard plays more than 15 minutes per game
When was the last time the Pistons had an elite three-point shooter off the bench? There will be plenty of speed bumps in the development of the new Piston, but Kennard will find a lot of minutes because of his ability to make the three. The rookie shot nearly 44% from behind the arc last season at Duke. That ability is a rare one for the Pistons team and it will be enough for Kennard to work his way into some quality minutes. With so many Pistons shooting poorly from behind the arc SVG won’t be able to leave Kennard on the bench for long.
4. Stanley Johnson gets a starting job
After an offseason with some roster turnover, the Pistons find themselves a little thin at the small forward position. Tobias Harris will most likely start at power forward clearing the way for Stanley Johnson to start at small forward. With the offensive abilities of some of the other Pistons starters, Stanley will be able to focus his efforts primarily on defense. This will be helpful to the Pistons down the stretch. If Johnson is able to score more than 10 points a night on a regular basis he will be a truly valuable contributor. In a league full of great small forwards, it is a luxury to have an elite defender at that position. The former lottery pick finally gets the opportunity to show the league his impressive skill set.
5. The Pistons win 50 games
The Detroit Pistons will not only return to the playoffs, but they will return with confidence. After an offseason of improvement to the roster and continued development for the young prospects, the Pistons should be a better team both offensively and defensively. The Pistons will have plenty of help in reaching the 50 wins mark. The East got worse this offseason. The pistons will have many inferior opponents after an offseason that saw several all-star caliber players leave the east for the west. The Pistons combination of improved talent and weaker competition will lead to a very successful season and the Detroit faithful will have a season full of victories to celebrate.
Weak competition does nothing to make you stronger