Detroit Pistons: Anonymous Scouts Dish on 2016-17 Season Outlook

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Oct 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy talks to Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith (14) during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Pistons’ Season Outlook

If you’re like me, you get a general sense of optimism from the scouts’ comments so far as there is a lot to like about how the Pistons are put together and their general direction. How about putting a number on it for this season?

"What’d they win last year? 44? I see this team getting to 47 or 48 wins, and being the fourth seed in the East. I think they’re the best team outside of Cleveland, Boston, and Toronto."

And

"I’m not sure this team has the ability to go much further than 48 wins, maybe in a few years they push 50. It feels like they’re sort of tapped out at 47, 48 wins. But I do think they’re the fourth best team in the East and they’ll have a chance to win a round in the playoffs."

Not bad, and that’s in line with the ESPN Analytics Summer Forecast that was published in July. There they had the Pistons at 45 wins, but also in the fourth spot in the East. It’s not a huge jump but a modest step forward in the regular season followed by reaching the second round of the playoffs might be a nice next step forward for a still young team that has a future together.

Next: 20 Best NBA Draft Picks from Michigan State

What do you think about what these anonymous scouts had to say? Fair or was there something you think was off-base?

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