Will The Detroit Pistons Be Able To Make The Playoffs?
All of a sudden the Detroit Pistons and their fans are experiencing something that has been absent within the franchise for the last half-decade or so. Namely, winning.
Ever since their last playoff berth since the 2008-2009 NBA campaign they only broke the 30-win mark once. And that was in the 2010-2011 NBA season when they won 30 games.
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Well now they’re winning some games after waiving Josh Smith right before Christmas. Ever since that shocking announcement the Pistons have been a sparkling 4-0 winning by 18.0 PPG over their opponents.
Surprisingly the Pistons are now only a mere 4.5 games back of the 14-19 Miami Heat. Miami’s the 8 seed in a significantly weaker Eastern Conference. Which makes everything a lot more interesting for the Pistons and begs the question:
Will the Detroit Pistons be able to make the playoffs?
If the 2013-2014 Atlanta Hawks can sneak in with a 38-44 record why can’t somewhere close to that record potentially squeeze the Pistons in?
Before any conversation about the Pistons and the playoffs though fans and critics would point quickly to the level of caliber the Pistons have been playing against.
Only one team they faced during their streak had a winning record (the Cleveland Cavaliers at 19-14) and that was without Kyrie Irving.
However it’s interesting to note how much better the Pistons offense has been playing. They’re averaging a respectable 107 PPG and dropped 119 points on one of the best defenses in the league in the Indiana Pacers.
Though they have faced less-than-impressive competition the offense has been undoubtedly better.
If the Pistons were to somehow maintain anywhere close to their recent offensive production (which is doubtful but possible) they will climb up the standings like a rocket.
Except should the Pistons be aiming for the playoffs?
It wasn’t that long ago since there were legitimate questions about whether the Pistons should attempt to tank or not. This still holds true if Head Coach Stan Van Gundy simply wants to cultivate and develop the teams’ talent.
What some skeptics may not understand though is that sometimes the best way to develop young talent is to have them experience winning. Both Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe have yet to experience the NBA playoffs.
If the Pistons somehow sneak into the playoffs as an 8 seed and play some meaningful games it might also help them resign Monroe come the off-season.
There are plenty of incentives for this Pistons squad to pursue the looming potential of the playoffs.
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Whatever decision Van Gundy chooses he and fans will have a better scope of this team after their contest against the Sacramento Kings on January 3rd. Their upcoming schedule has them on the road against the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and Toronto Raptors in a 5-game span.
After this somewhat weak spot in the schedule, how the Pistons respond against the better clubs in the Association will be a better indicator of the current potential of this team.
If they come out fighting against these teams and go down (or up and win) without a fight Van Gundy might feel confident enough to go and push for a playoff run.
In reality though the conversation for if the Pistons should make a playoff run is far too early to speculate on. If each team in the NBA was judged on 4 games in which they played well every team might be a title contender.
However the potential of a playoff run should excite Pistons fans everywhere. They haven’t made the postseason in what is a long time in this storied franchise after 6 straight Eastern Conference Final runs in the 2000’s.
Now, your thoughts. Do you think the Pistons have what it takes to make the playoffs? Should they even attempt to make a playoff run with quality NBA prospects available? Whatever the case how Van Gundy uses this team will be a hot topic for fans down the stretch.
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