[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nKey Losses<\/h3>\n
Rodney Stuckey – He was a consistent source of offense for the Pistons last season but since he is not a very good shooter it was easy to wave good bye to him this offseason. His aggressive nature might be missed.<\/p>\n
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Will Bynum – Though crafty with the ball at time the Pistons were wise to let him go. He is a short, offense first point who never developed his jump shot to NBA standards. See above but smaller and a greater defensive liability.<\/p>\n
Chauncey Billups – A veteran presence who just can\u2019t get it done anymore. I think the hope was that he could help tame Brandon Jennings a bit but he has to be able to cut it physically too. He can\u2019t anymore.<\/p>\n
Top Newcomers<\/h3>\n
D.J. Augustin – As the Pistons look to get more from their backcourt they picked up D.J. Augustin who revitalized his career with Chicago last season. He can score and is a better shooter than the guys they let leave<\/p>\n
Spencer Dinwiddie – The rookie is an interesting prospect. He missed most of last season but showed a lot of promise as a big point guard.<\/p>\n
If he is ready to go they might have a new starting backcourt with him and Augustin, who has never been a pass first guy.<\/p>\n
Jodie Meeks – He is a guy who knows his role, which is to make shots. He works for them and proved last year that when he is fed regularly he can be a nice weapon. If the inside players are on their game he will help create space.<\/p>\n
Top Players<\/h3>\n
Greg Monroe – Quite simply Monroe is one of the more gifted young post players in the league. He can score and pass and rebound and if he shot just a little better he could be elite. He has established a level of good so the question is whether he can go from good to great.<\/p>\n
Andre Drummond – Drummond doesn\u2019t have the versatility to his game of Monroe but is among the best rebounders in the league after just two seasons.<\/p>\n
He knows his limitations and is tracking like DeAndre Jordan, but maybe faster. If he learns to make his free throws it will help the club immensely.<\/p>\n
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Brandon Jennings – I am not a fan but he is productive. Last year he put up his best assist totals since entering the league but his shooting is worrisome.<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t even have a 40% FG rate and take too many threes.<\/p>\n
Strengths<\/h3>\n
The strength of this team is the frontcourt where there is nice size and youth that means they can take the ball of the backcourt and get going with ease.<\/p>\n
Adding Josh Smith last season was an interesting choice because he does not have a the traditional skill set of a 3 and I wonder if he might better served in a 6th man role because he disrupts the flow offensively.<\/p>\n
Despite that it is hard to dispute their talent up front.<\/p>\n
Weaknesses<\/h3>\n
Conversely the backcourt still needs to prove itself.<\/p>\n
There is a reason teams have waved good bye to Augustin and even though I like Dinwiddie he is not a proven NBA commodity. Jennings is but that is a glass that is half full or half empty depending on who you ask.<\/p>\n
Shooting it going to be the key to this team radically outperforming and it probably still isn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n
4* Free NBA Prediction: \u00a03rd in Central Division<\/h3>\n
I have to admit I was burned often by the Pistons.<\/p>\n
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There were many a game where I thought their talent up front would dominate, and sometimes it did, but the losses just kept coming. With some few faces, especially on the sidelines I think there can be some growth this season.<\/p>\n
I think Detroit is one of those teams you definitely don\u2019t want to face on a back to back. Their length and ability to rebound challenge tired legs so look for them to take advantage when other teams are not rested.<\/p>\n
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