Tag: Detroit Pistons

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In time the Detroit Pistons look like they could be a problem

The Detroit Pistons are coming! GM, Troy Weaver has done some very good work in recent days to push the Pistons rebuild ahead. With the moves, the Pistons rebuild suddenly looks much better and the team should start to reflect that this season, though not necessarily in wins/losses and that is okay. What is okay is the Pistons future looks bright.

In the 2021 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons brought in Cade Cunningham from Oklahoma State University. This season Troy  Weaver would begin to place more talent around Cunningham.

BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 23: Jaden Ivey poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Detroit Pistons during the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Pistons picked #5 overall and selected Jaden Ivey, from Purdue. The guard will team with Cunningham and the duo will be one of the top backcourts in the NBA as they develop together and gain chemistry. Ivey, who has a lot of speed which allows him to be a dangerous player in transition should complement Cunningham’s skill set which will be fun to watch.

The Detroit Pistons traded Jerami Grant to the Portland Trail Blazers for a 2025 First Round Draft Pick. At first Piston fans moaned about the trade while Weaver sat back and formulated a plan so good that it caught many by surprise.

BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 23: Jalen Duren poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Detroit Pistons during the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)

Troy Weaver traded the 2025 first round draft pick to the New York Knicks for the #13 overall pick which the Pistons promptly got the big man they have been missing. Jalen Duren from the Memphis Tigers.

Duren who Troy Weaver locked onto is a good fit for the Pistons. While he does have some limits to his game, he fits well with what Weaver’s vision is for the Pistons and was a very good draft pick.

In a draft that saw Troy Weaver be both aggressive and exercise patience the Pistons core players now look dangerous (yes development needs to still take place,) Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Saddiq Bey give the team a solid foundation. One that in time will develop into a very good, fun team.

Troy Weaver absolutely nailed the draft. In fact the Detroit Pistons were this years biggest winner and it was not close.

 

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So who is leading the Detroit sports team rebuilds

It is still on going. The Detroit Pistons, still rebuilding. The Detroit Tigers, still rebuilding. The Detroit Lions, still rebuilding. The Detroit Red Wings, still rebuilding. It seems like forever all four major sports team in the city of Detroit, Michigan have been rebuilding. While it is a process and rebuilds do take a while it looks like one of the teams is very close to being competitive again. So which team is it? Let’s dive in.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 19: A general detail view of a Detroit Tigers hat and glove during a game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 19, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Detroit Tigers have had a disastrous season thus far. The Tigers were said to have been ready to end the long rebuild and start taking steps to being a playoff team once again. It looks like the team is still a ways away.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 30: The Detroit Pistons logo is pictured on the court before the game against the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena on October 30, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The Detroit Pistons have begun to put a nice core of players in place. For the Pistons there is still work to be done. I suspect the Pistons will start to take steps towards the playoffs in another season.

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Detail view of the Detroit Lions logo seen at the Super Bowl Experience on February 08, 2022, at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Detroit Lions have done a solid job of bringing in solid young players and the team should improve. Not playoff improve mind you, but in terms of taking another step forward and developing the young player.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 16: A view of the logo of the Detroit Red Wings on a player’s jersey during an NHL game against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 16, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)

That brings us to the team that I feel is just about done with the long rebuild they have been in. The Detroit Red Wings, with no #1 overall draft picks in the three soon to be four years Steve Yzerman has been GM he has done a masterful job at finding outstanding young talent and developing it.

What Yzerman has done has almost flown under the radar. He has steadily improved the Red Wings pipeline and given some real hope. The Red Wings team he has been working on is going to be a nasty team. The defense is going to be one if not the best in the NHL. Forwards have improved and Yzerman has all sorts of salary cap space to work with this summer.

In about four years the Detroit Red Wings will be serious Stanley Cup Champion contenders. In about three years the Red Wings will be a playoff team that makes some noise.

So there you have it. Drop a comment and let me know your thoughts.

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At 8-19 the rebuilding Detroit Pistons are fun to watch

The Detroit Lions, Red Wings, Tigers and Pistons are all in full- blown rebuilds. The Tigers and Red Wings are pretty much unwatchable at this time. The Lions will be pretty bad this coming season. While the Detroit Pistons who are also under construction and are far from being a .500 team, are at least fun to watch.

For many rebuilding teams, beating teams that are equally as bad or even alright is common place. The Detroit Pistons are the exception to the rule. For whatever reason the Pistons beat good teams. Seriously.

 

DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 8: Mason Plumlee #24 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on January 8, 2021 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)

It could be that the teams the Pistons have beaten have approached the game as an automatic win and do not play with the same focus they do other nights. In fact that seems probable. It could be that the Pistons rise up to meet the challenge of playing a playoff caliber team.

The truth would seem to be somewhere in the middle. While I do believe teams take their foot off the gas when they play the Pistons, I also think the Pistons reach down for a little more.

As of right now, the Detroit Pistons are three and a half games out of a playoff spot. Let that thought go. Detroit is not going to the playoffs this season or next. They are in a rebuild. What is being laid is the foundation of success for the future.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 18: General manager Troy Weaver of the Detroit Pistons looks on prior to the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 18, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Troy Weaver, upon being named Detroit Pistons General Manager said the process was going to take some time. Yet, at the very least Weaver has put a team on court that competes and is fun to watch.

The Detroit Pistons are not getting blown out when they do lose. But when the team wins it is against teams like Boston, New Orleans and the Los Angeles Lakers. Teams that should blow the Pistons away are losing to the rebuilding franchise.

It is almost unprecedented that a rebuilding team is beating teams they really have no business beating. Detroit Pistons fans are loving every second of this team. A team with a losing record that is fighting and competing in every game.

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Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver is retooling, reshaping and rebuilding the team

There is no way around it. The Detroit Pistons have joined two other Detroit sports teams (Tigers and Red Wings) by officially entering a total or very near total teardown and rebuild. New Pistons general manager Troy Weaver was very active this past week first with the 2020 NBA draft and then free agency. The Pistons gutted the bulk of the teams roster, now youth is being served in Motown and that is just fine.

Whenever and new general manager takes over a team he generally begins to make changes to meet his idea of a successful roster and even coaching staff. The Detroit Pistons are already fortunate to have a very good head coach so Dwane Casey was not going anywhere.

That did not stop Weaver from taking an axe to most of the Detroit Pistons roster. During the 2020 NBA Draft the Pistons entered the draft with just one pick at No. 7 overall. Weaver then weaved some magic and the Pistons had two more first round draft picks.

When the dust had settled, Bruce Brown, Tony Snell, Luke Kennard, Thon Maker, as well as others were jettisoned off. A few players survived Troy Weaver’s purge.

Gone is the bulk of a roster that struggled both as a group and as individuals to fine consistency on the court. Enter a young roster with more athleticism than the Pistons have had in recent years.

With any roster change over there are risks. Players may not pan out. Players may not quite live live up to scouting reports. However, Troy Weaver did the right thing. Get as many draft picks as possible and roll the dice a few players will pan out.

This is at the heart of any teams rebuild. The Detroit Pistons had a nationally praised 2020 draft. The players selected have high upside with as expected a few red flags. That did not stop nor should it have Weaver from going through with some big daring moves.

SALT LAKE CITY – OCTOBER 4: Troy Weaver of the Utah Jazz poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on October 4, 2004 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Kent Horner/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Detroit Pistons are the talk of the NBA. Troy Weaver has deconstructed a roster that by and large failed. He has begun to put players together that are both young and athletic.

It will be interesting to see this group of Pistons players grow and mature both next season and beyond.

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An updated look at the state of the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons and Lions rebuild’s

All four Detroit Michigan sports teams are under construction. Rebuilds across the board. It has not been a fun time for the sports enthusiasts around the state of Michigan and the rest of the country. Yet here we are, it is time to update the four major sports teams rebuild efforts to date.

Let’s take a look at the worst and possibly longest rebuild in sports, or close to it. The Detroit Lions. Bob Quinn was brought in from the New England Patriots and there was hype when he arrived in Motown. The hype is gone, fans have soured and the Lions are a total mess. Losers of 11 games in a row with no end in sight. The Lions should fire Quinn and all associated with him and start from scratch.

The Detroit Pistons, In better shape than the Lions (who is not?) The Pistons have young talent to build around. Bruce Brown, Sekou Doumbouya, Luke Kennard, Christian Wood give the Pistons some nice players to build around. The Detroit Pistons are armed with some cap space for the first time in a long time so that will help speed the process up a bit.

The Detroit Tigers, the Tigers also have some nice young talent to build around. Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Isaac Paredes, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene are a few of the names Tiger fans should know or begin to learn. The Tigers still have work to do on the rebuild, however they are in good shape moving forward.

The Detroit Red Wings, general manager Steve Yzerman is still building his team. Like the Tigers the Red Wings have some nice prospects to build around. With the No. 4 pick in the first round Yzerman is poised to bring in another high-end prospect, not to mention Yzerman also has cap space. Cap space is a good thing it is even better when a GM with a proven history of spending wisely is in charge.

So there it is in a nutshell. The Lions are a mess as usual, the Pistons, Tigers and Red Wings are advancing rather nicely in the rebuilding of the respected organization.

I am sticking with my initial thought that the Detroit Red Wings finish their rebuild first.

 

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The Detroit Pistons are going to begin to look different

The rebuild bug has hit another professional Detroit team. This time the Detroit Pistons have entered a rebuild. The organization could go part rebuild or all in. One thing is for certain, it will help the on court product in the long term, but as seen with the Lions, Red Wings and Tigers will pinch in the short term.

When building a roster that can compete, there needs to be at least one player to build around. For the Detroit Pistons when healthy Blake Griffin is and can be that player.

If the Pistons do go all in on the rebuild then they could part ways with Griffin who is sure to decline in production in the next two seasons. Detroit could trade him while he still has value and get a player or a draft pick.

One thing has become clear, in my opinion the Detroit Pistons should focus on a youth movement. Even if the keep Blake Griffin and gradually phase him out. Langston Galloway, Markieff Morris and Tony Snow are veterans with one year left on their current contracts. All could and should be moved for any assets the Pistons can get.

Christian Wood, Bruce Brown, Luke Kennard and Svi Mykhailiuk and Sekou Dumbouya along with the Pistons draft pick in this years 2020 NBA draft (No. 7 overall) will be the core new Pistons general manager Troy Weaver has to build around.

The Detroit Pistons have had problems signing big name free agents due in part to mediocre on court play. The best rout for the Pistons to go is build a team that attracts free agents, which will take time.

Rebuilds are not fun. There is no sugar coating that fact. The Lions know it. The Red Wings know it. The Lions know it. The fans of Detroit sports know it. But in time it is rewarding when the team begins to resemble a solid group and the wins begin to come in.

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With all four Detroit sports teams rebuilding, could the Detroit Tigers finish first

Embed from Getty Images In 2003 the Detroit Tigers lost 119 games, it was the key turning point in the late Tigers owner Mike Ilitch’s tenure. He was so embarrassed, he vowed to do more, just as he had when he turned the “Dead Things” the into Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings. After last seasons 114 losses, will that be the turning point of current Tigers owner Christopher Ilitch’s tenure?

The Detroit Lions lack talent in many areas of the roster, with unproven general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia.  And the Detroit Pistons? Dwane Casey is a solid coach, but they finally chose the time is now to rebuild.

The Detroit Red Wings do have a proven general manager, who will return the Red Wings to the national stage, no one is doubting that. It will take time for Steve Yzerman to complete the task before him though.

Poor management, ownership in activity, bad contracts and bad luck, have defined the four Detroit sports teams. In my opinion it is the Detroit Tigers, have a head start.

First of all the Detroit Tigers have the most valuable commodity in their sport  young, promising pitching. The Tigers have four prospects in the MLB Pipeline’s Top 50, the franchise is as stocked as they have ever been, in route to a top 10 of farm system.

The Tigers also have something the Lions, Red Wings and Pistons do not currently have, the first pick in the draft at their sport. Last weekend Christopher Ilitch in an interview used the phrases “very competitive” and  “the fire is burning inside,” to let media and fans know how he feels about the Tigers, putting all doubt and fear aside.

As is if building the brand new Little Caesars headquarters next to Comerica Park did not send a strong enough signal. It is a short walk from his new office to the ballpark.

Christopher Ilitch is very analytical, much less emotional, probably a product of the corporate world he lives in much of the time. He speaks in measured tones but seems to be  more comfortable in the spotlight.

One thing seems for certain, the Detroit Tigers are closer to being a threat again in baseball, with the Red Wings not far behind. Ilitch says he is confident in delivering on that goal of the rebuild: “Be patient, be disciplined and we’re going to get there.”

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The Detroit Pistons look to join the Tigers and Red Wings in rebuilding

Embed from Getty Images Tom Gores has been consistent in his expectations, when Gores bought the Detroit Pistons in 2011 he expected his teams would compete for playoff spots every year. With the 2019-20 Detroit Pistons the season having been nothing short or utter disappointment, changes are coming.

Pistons owner Tom Gores was asked Thursday night if he was OK with the team taking a step back if it meant getting more than just a playoff spot and actually competing for NBA championships.

“We probably have to take some chances with some of the younger guys, but absolutely, That’s what we’re aspiring to- something bigger than what we’ve been doing, but I have not lost faith in what Dwane Casey (Pistons head coach) is doing and how we’re developing the players and our future,” Gores said.

Just like that. It was not an out and out “We are going to rebuild,” but that is exactly what Gores is saying. Then came the proof, last night two NBA insiders reported the Detroit Pistons are looking to (or shopping if you like that verbiage better,) trade veteran center and Pistons mainstay Andre Drummond.

Drummond is the right player to start with. The market for centers in bare, making Drummond very attractive to playoff bound teams looking to add rebounding, defense and scoring. The Pistons know full well Drummond would bring in a tremendous haul. Players, prospects and first round draft picks. The Pistons are said to be engaged with the Atlanta Hawks with the Boston Celtics also keeping an eye on Drummond.

The Pistons also have other nice players to sell off, none short of Blake Griffin will bring in talent and coveted draft picks like Andre Drummond. I believe (if my memory serves me correct) last season both Tom Gores and Dwane Casey said they want to build around Griffin, so at this time I do not think they will move him. If they get an offer to good to pass up, then all bets are off.

In Detroit, the city already has two rebuilding sports franchises the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings and despite what general manager Bob Quinn said the Detroit Lions are also rebuilding at least on the defensive side of the ball.

For the Pistons with and older roster, this is the right path to take. By trading a star and getting current players already on NBA rosters, prospects and draft picks the Pistons position themselves to get better sooner. What will speed that up more is after the season when the team has expiring contracts off the books and can go after big name free agents, like Gores has always wanted to.

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The Detroit Pistons need Bruce Brown to be locked-in

Embed from Getty Images In a rookie season that saw Detroit Pistons, Bruce Brown take on James Harden, Steph Curry and Damian Lillard, Brown was asked to do a lot in the defensive end. More than other NBA rookies. Now fresh off a rookie year in which Bruce Brown played 55 games. The game has slowed down. That is the good news.

The Detroit Pistons are currently in the midst of training camp. One of the questions heading into camp was weather Bruce Brown would earn the starting guard job, or if Luke Kennard would wrestle it away from him.

Recently Brown said “The game has slowed down a lot and I know what to expect and what is expected of me.” On who Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey will pick to start, “I’m going to control what I can control and play hard every day. I’m not worried about if I come off the bench or start.” Brown continued.

Bruce Brown worked hard on his offensive game over the summer. Defense has always come easy to Brown. Brown said he worked on fine-tuning his jump shot mechanics, as well as setting up the pick-and-roll. As if Brown’s defense could not get better, it did.

Pistons coach Casey said ‘his anticipation has gotten better in that he knows what’s about to come and the next play.” Casey and the Pistons coaching staff are pleased with the second year guard.

In my opinion, Bruce Brown should remain in the starting lineup, while Luke Kennard should come off the bench. This would give the Detroit Pistons both better depth and better balance.

This season the Pistons are looking for Bruce Brown to take the next step in his game. Brown is looking to build upon last seasons success, especially offensively. If he is able to elevate his game the Detroit Pistons will be closer to becoming a more complete team.

 

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The Detroit Pistons now have better roster depth

Embed from Getty Images Pistons weaknesses were exposed in the NBA Playoffs. In the four game sweep by the Milwaukee Bucks the Pistons depth (or lack-there-of) was exposed for all to see. It looked like Detroit would be in the exact same position heading into the 2019-20 season.

Ed Stefanski, made it a priority to not only upgrade the Detroit Pistons depth, but bring in quality depth. The Pistons traded for forward Tony Snell, signed guards Derrick Rose and Tim Frazier, then added big men Markieff Morris and Christian Wood to help strengthen the bench. The Pistons drafted Sekou Doumbouya, and in the process, added much needed depth that might help them make some noise in the East this coming season.

The departure of Wayne Ellington, opens a spot for Tony Snell. At 6′ foot 7″,  the Pistons like Snell’s size. Snell started 59 games in 2017-18 and 80 games the season before that. Snell shot 40% on 3-pointers last season.

Derrick Rose,  had a nice bounce back season with 18 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 27.3 minutes. He will be a welcomed scorer off the bench.  The Pistons are more likely to watch Rose’s minutes closely so they  can keep him at peak performance level for most of the season. Rose played only 51 games last season and 25 games in 2017-18.

Tim Frazier, is a a quality third point guard the Pistons have needed. He could see increased time depending on how healthy Derrick Rose is.

Markieff Morris, is a big bodied versatile forward. Morris willl check into the game to give Thon Maker a break. While Maker is a better defender, Morris offers more scoring and toughness.

After the Summer League, Christian Wood,  a 6-foot-10 power forward who  could play either center or power forward was signed. In eight games with the New Orleans Pelicans, he averaged 16.9 points and 7.9.

Sekou Doumbouya, was drafted for his athleticism and movement for his size. The Pistons are not putting pressure on him to contribute immediately. The want him to develop and grow into a roll that will see increased playing time.

This off-season has been an active one for a Detroit basketball team looking to take the next step.