2011-12 Detroit Pistons Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Detroit Pistons are hoping a change up top can get this team headed in the right direction. Former New Jersey Nets head coach Lawrence Frank has taken over the Piston’s job, replacing John Kuester. Detroit won just 57 games in two seasons under Kuester, finishing up with a 30-52 record last season.
While it may take some time for Frank to get the Pistons competitive in the East, many believe the future is bright in Detroit after this years draft. They used the No. 8 pick in the first round to draft Kentucky’s Brandon Knight and added a couple talented second-rounders in Kyle Singler and Vernon Macklin. Knight didn’t exactly fill a huge need for the Pistons, but was easily the best player left on the board.
The big question going into the season is what Detroit will do with starting point guard Rodney Stuckey, who led the team in scoring at 15.5 ppg. Detroit wants to sign a long-term deal, but the two sides are struggling to come to a deal. If they can’t come to terms, Stuckey will likely sign the teams one-year qualifying offer, which will allow him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2012.
If they do bring back Stuckey, the Pistons will have some big time depth at the point guard position with Stuckey, Knight, and Will Bynum. The only shooting guard currently on the roster is Ben Gordon, who has been a big disappointment since signing with the team two seasons ago. Gordon averaged 20.7 ppg during his final season with Chicago (2008-09), but has only managed to put up 13.8 and 11.2 ppg in two years with Detroit.
The Pistons don’t have a stud at forward or center, but have a lot of nice pieces that could end up working well together. They are excited about the potential of center Greg Monroe, who averaged 9.4 points and 7.5 rebounds as a rookie. Veteran Ben Wallace gives them a nice big body off the bench, but at 37 you can’t expect much out of the former All-Star.
They still have veteran small forward Tayshaun Prince, but he too is starting to get up there in age. The hope is that second-year forward Austin Daye will continue to grow and become more involved this year.
I’m not all that impressed with the power forward combo of Jason Maxiell and Charlie Villanueva. Maxiell is undersized and Villanueva is a headcase. This is arguably the Pistons biggest weakness going into the season.
Prediction: 4th Eastern Conference Central Division: I think the Pistons are headed in the right direction, but still a ways from making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Chicago is the clear-cut favorite to win the division, and I believe both Indiana and Milwaukee are better off than what the Pistons currently have on their roster. The Pistons have the players to be effective on the defensive end, but really lack a go-to-guy that can consistently give them 20+ a night. The lack of playmakers on the offensive end will make it extremely hard for the Pistons to stay competitive over the course of the season.
Find out where we have all 30 NBA teams finishing in our 2011-12 NBA Predictions article.
If you are looking to make some money this NBA season, be sure to check out what Steve Janus has to offer. Steve finished No. 7 overall in the NBA last year, thanks in large part to a 37-17 run towards the end of last season!
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