Detroit Pistons: Anonymous Scouts Dish on 2016-17 Season Outlook
By Zac Snyder
Given the cloak of anonymity, NBA scouts give their take on the Detroit Pistons as the 2016-2017 season rapidly approaches.
In advance of the 2016-17 NBA season, Sports Illustrated solicited the opinions of opposing scouts for their takes on all 30 NBA teams. To get the most honest answers, SI granted anonymity. That’s usually case to bring out the flame emoji, but in the case of the Detroit Pistons, the takes are downright reasonable.
They range from the team’s season outlook to their young core to individual comments on players like Andre Drummond and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. There is some good and some bad, but none of it feels unfair or like someone holding a grudge and using their anonymity to take it out on the Pistons.
Let’s go through the scouts’ comments, which turn out to be less than hot takes.
"I think the Pistons are gonna be pretty good. Stan Van Gundy’s a good coach. He’s constructing a pretty well put together team. Most of those guys are young and entering their prime."
See what I mean? Not exactly bringing the heat here, but it’s also not wrong. Getting back into the playoffs was a good first step for the young Pistons last season and the offseason didn’t bring any reason to think they will take a step back this year. The offseason also didn’t bring any reason to think the Pistons will suddenly catapult into contender status in the Eastern Conference.
The Pistons have good young players who should continue to improve. It’s rare these days to see an NBA team grow and learn how to win together but that is how these Pistons are set up.