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The Detroit Pistons are done and it is time to move on

By Ash Thompson

Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons are supposed to be fighting for their playoff lives. In stead they’re falling even farther behind. Put a fork in them, they’re done.

Despite what Journey had to say on the matter in 1981, you should stop believing. Reggie Jackson isn’t going to come back and personally win a bunch of games. Stan Van Gundy does not have some magical plan to turn the ship around at the last moment. The Pistons needed to surge, and they’re faltering. This needs to come to an end. The Detroit Pistons are not going to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season in 2018.

This team is in a fight for their playoff lives and they dropped a game by 31 points in Utah on Tuesday. No self respecting NBA team loses a game by 31 points, certainly not to the Utah Jazz. The Jazz are in eighth place in the western conference, and admittedly on a hot streak. They were sitting in a similar position to the Pistons a month ago. That is a team that has responded to their coaching staff and their situation. The Jazz have gone on an 8-2 run and caught the faltering San Antonio Spurs. The two teams are tied due to the Jazz’s current seven game win streak.

The Pistons on the other hand look like a Division III team in their one game per year against a Division I powerhouse. Outclassed, outplayed, and beaten before the game even starts. The Milwakee Bucks and Miami Heat have faltered in front of the Pistons. Detroit’s basketball team seems to have passed on a playoff appearance saying: “that’s O.K. you guys can have it.”

Tom Gores said last week that Stan Van Gundy’s position will be discussed after the season. Speculation is rampant that his off the court role may be be a casualty of this free fall. If Tuesday night’s result is an indication of the on court performance that Van Gundy can get out of the players, then a complete severing of ties is in order.

The fact that Jackson might come back for the final few games of the season appears to be a desperation play aimed at keeping Van Gundy employed. That is not the sort of long term move that the man running the front office can make. A late season surge it is likely his only chance to keep either of his jobs. It takes a special person to fill the dual role successfully. Right now Stan Van Gundy does not look like that kind of person. The two jobs often have different aims, and different priorities by nature. Van Gundy has not been able to perform in either role effectively.

Next: Detroit Lions day one free agency recap

The Pistons have their next chance to prove me wrong tonight in Denver against the Nuggets. Don’t hold your breath.

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