5. Detroit must continue to develop its young players
Strides have been made in the 2014-2015 season and the only way this team will improve is to build off their positive moves going forward. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Jennings, Jodie Meeks, Reggie Jackson, and even Andre Drummond showed signs of improvement throughout the year. When this team was at its best with the 12-3 run they had from December 26th-January 21st, each of the aformentioned players (aside from Jackson, who hadn’t yet arrived) played at a very high level.
January’s influx in wins provoked city-wide interest in this team for the first time since Richard Hamilton was popping off curls. The run was not only exciting but also breathed life into a struggling franchise and gave us the gem #FAFW. Consistency will breed success for this squad and more runs like the one directly following the release of Josh Smith will be needed. The highs and lows that this squad went through must be ironed out and the acceleration of our younger players will hopefully give Detroit its first playoff berth of the decade.
