http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/70076/dunking-tanking-all-hail-the-pistons Another fun read by grantland. Didn't see it anywhere in the Dish. Enjoy!
i have the pistons as #6 in the east. i think having billups alongside jennings will help alot. for sure..i think they are a better team than the knicks. they will BEAT THEM UP inside.
Yeah, the Pistons benefit from playing in the weaker conference, they can probably sneak into the playoffs (not sure about 6th seed, but probably 7th or 8th). They're also probably going to be a fun, high-flying team to watch. If I'm the owner, I'm loving it because it's a lot easier to sell tickets as the "fun team" instead of the "tanking team". They're like a poor man's globetrotters. In the NBA.
I think we as Rockets fans can sympathize with these Pistons. The rebuild without TRYING to tank is worth celebrating. Next season will be filled with unwatchable teams which in my opinion is a negative for all NBA fans... When was the last time you thought - "Oh were playing the Pistons tonight, that will be fun to watch." I for one am looking forward to it
So Pistons goes from no offense to really bad offense with Jennings and Smith as their first 2 option. I call that as an upgrade.
1st option going to be "push the rock" My money's on that team being in the top 5 in the league in PPG. Push the ball on every possession, see what happens. Thats always fun. And in regards to the Wiggins comments that are naturally going to arise in this topic, your going to have a really hard time putting a team together that is worse than the Bucks or the Suns this year without starting a team of middle schoolers
I'm eager to see that group on the floor. I like what they've done, but chemistry is a real concern. Drummond is one of the most intriguing young bigs in the game, and I'm hoping the addition of a couple of ego-driven chuckers in Jennings and Smoove doesn't stunt his growth. They could climb as high as 5 in the EC.
I actually bet that these guys will gel quite nicely under the "no one believes we can do it" attitude, just like the Grizz (as referenced in that article).
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Detroit has reached agreement with forward Josh Harrellson on a one-year, partially guaranteed deal, league source tells Y! Sports.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/369994382289543168">August 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>To clarify: Harrellson's deal with Detroit is for two years, with team option on second season. This year will have a partial guarantee.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/369995462960373760">August 21, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If they put all their egos aside and learn to play together, they will be 4th seed Or 5th seed in the East.
They will certainly be one of the 5 teams I choose for League Pass and they will certainly be a favorite of mine in NBA 2K14, but can't see them doing any better than a 7 seed and a first round exit. Will be really interesting to see if they ship Monroe out at the deadline now that Josh Smith is in the fold.
1. Miami 2. Indiana 3. NYK 4. Brooklyn 5. Chicago 6. Atlanta 7. ??? 8. ??? Slugfest between Washington/Detroit/Cleveland/Milwaukee. Toronto is in no mans land I dont think Orlando, Charlotte, or Philly are going anywhere this year.
The NBA is the only league of the 4 major North American leagues where just about every team has a chance to take it. As far as the East is concerned, Brooklyn, New York, Indiana, Chicago and Miami are your locks to be in the playoffs. That leaves 3 spots for the taking with Detroit having just as good a shot as any other team in the East of making the playoffs. And while Detroit may not be the best team of the remaining squads in the East, they are certaintly the most talented and talent goes a far way in the NBA.