I was just thinking how Detroit should be a much, much better team. Especially in the east. If you consider the trio of Josh Smith, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, that should be an offensive and defensive nightmare for opposing teams. But, for some reason, it isn't. With Monroe, he is the rebirth of a talented, traditional center. He can shoot, play with his back to the basket and is decent defensively. He was more of a focal point last year before the Pistons' signings and trades. I really feel like he could be one of the best centers in the league. Is it the drive? Andre Drummond gets a small pass because of his age and experience, but with Josh Smith, he should be having a breakout season, right? He's out of ATL, isn't restricted to giving the ball up to the likes of Joe Johnson and has guys to help him play D. Also, Brandon Jennings is on that team. He is a tier below All Star Status, but he can drop 25 on a given night. With Stuckey as a veteran guard that can pass and shoot, this team should be better, in my opinion. I guess their main weakness is the bench. Will Bynum, Chauncey and Jerebko are the only real threats at this point, but Chauncy is injured. The rest of the bench is filled with rooks or undeveloped guys. Charlie V fell off of the map and looks downright terrible. I used to think he would be a solid 18 and 10 guy after his time in Toronto, but he seems disinterested. Either way, even with that bench, Detroit's starting 5 should be more of a force. What do you all think? Any explanations? Am I overvaluing their players or is it truly a team not living up to its potential? If so, they might be a good trading partner for Asik. Wouldn't it be ironic if we could somehow package Asik to bring Josh Smith here next to Howard? Maybe the Pistons would consider it if they think he is stopping Andre and Greg's development....
Chemistry and fit will always be their downfall. Not to mention inefficient shooting by Jennings and Smoove.
Good point. I was watching the replay. Each of their bigs seems to leave the other without any help. I don't know if that's their game plan, but there's no weak-side help on defense. You would think Josh and Andre would come to help when Dwight was abusing everyone. Another thing: despite the talent, and as you mentioned, "chemistry," these guys don't seem to enjoy what they're doing. There's no talking, smiling, high-fiving...etc. I wonder if something is going on in the lockerroom. To me, there's no excuse for their record when they have the frontcourt talent that other NBA teams crave. Joe Dumars is a smart guy, has created championship rosters and was a smart player, so he's gotta be thinking about changing something. Dumping Charlie V will only happen in his final year as an expiring...that guy should be a spark off the bench, but he is a huge disappointment at this point.
They have a completely new starting lineup. Jennings, KCP, Smith, Monroe, Drummond. Of those players, only Monroe and Drummond were on the team last year, and they barely played together until this season. Drummond was Monroe's backup mainly. Now you have a bunch of people learning to play with each other, and in some cases (Smith, Monroe) learning to play at a position that they aren't fully accustomed to, and in one case (KCP) -- getting used to the NBA life. That team is coming along. It's much better now than it was a month ago. They have a very nice starting lineup, although they could use a SF shooter in their rotation.
That's fair. They definitely don't have any long bombers like us... I know he's having an off year thus far, but Jennings is a scorer. Greg Monroe shoots about 50% for the last couple of seasons and Josh is at 40%. I just looked and both of those guys are averaging 15 points each, which is a slight decrease for both of them. Still, it doesn't add up. I guess they don't have enough shooters, but you would think their starting 5 would be more effective. Shoot, Rodney averages double figures, too.
Yeah, you're right. We're going through some of the same growing pains, too. We've been more successful though. I actually like their roster and think Monroe is going to be an all-star for years to come.
I believe you are overlooking how poorly constructed their roster is. Drummond, Monroe and Josh Smith should not be on the same team. By not extending him, the Pistons have already signaled Monroe is the odd man out. Smith needs to play PF instead of SF and they should trade Monroe for a legit, starting SF that can run the floor and shoot from outside. The days of having 3 beefy frontcourt starters are long over. I think calling Brandon Jennings "a tier below All Star status" is crazy. Besides being a paperweight on defense, he has no business taking 16 shots a game. The Pistons have two promising young players (Drummond & Monroe), a very talented veteran (Smith), two very mediocre backcourt starters (Jennings & Stuckey) and a bench not worth a dime. They don't have "tons of talent". Bottom line: A playoff team in the East.
i was going to say because their two leaders in fga's (jennings and smith) are both below 50 TS%, but their D is actually ranked lower than their offense.
^agreed, i think he's a great four and I would actually love to pair him with dwight. underrated big man and i think the fit would be a lot better than what most people would expect.
Monroe and Drummond are both bad on defense and they don't have any elite offensive player, although they've been decent on offense.
To say the least...Charles Barkley said it best (although he was referencing the T-Wolves back when a young KG played for them) when he said “They run like deer, jump like deer and think like deer.”
If your primary ball handler is a low IQ chucker, bad things will happen. Brandon Jennings is the most overrated player in the NBA. His entire contract and reputation was built off of that one out of the blue 55 point game.
I don't think they are that talented, at least not now, maybe they are developing but most are flawed players. DD
