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Detroit Pistons: What to love about the 2017-18 season

By Jack Ozark

Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates a 115-106 win over the Brooklyn Nets with Andre Drummond #0 at Little Caesars Arena on February 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates a 115-106 win over the Brooklyn Nets with Andre Drummond #0 at Little Caesars Arena on February 7, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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With the Detroit Pistons’ playoff chances dwindling, let’s look at some of the positives that have come from the 2017-2018 season.

This season the Detroit Pistons have been nothing short of a disappointment. This team had high hopes, this was supposed to be the season they put it all together and made it into that next tier of teams. Unfortunately, the injury bug bit and along with it some trades that made it tough for the team to get in a flow.

But, that rant is for another day. Today, we’ll look at some of the positives that have come about from this season from the Pistons. So let’s jump in.

1. Andre Drummond, you’ve become a star!

The progression of Andre Drummond has been a tough one. Last season, I wasn’t completely sold on keeping him around. The team wasn’t either, as he was in countless rumors in the offseason.

Today that’s all changed. First, his abysmal free throw shooting is gone. It’s unreal. He was chucking bricks for his entire career and now he’s reliable. Why is this so important? Because Drummond is finishing games now. The ball can be in his hands without a worry and that alone boosts the offense.

The second thing that happened was Drummond’s surgery to help his breathing. Coming into the league, a Drummond red flag was his motor. That red flag seems to be gone too as Drummond has more energy than ever. If Drummond keeps playing like this he’s going to be scary to play against for a long time.

2. Good, young ballers

Remember that Stanley Johnson and Luke Kennard are the same age before you want to give up on Johnson. Stanley has taken the next step in his game in the past few weeks. He’s driving to the hoop, and his defense alone is enough to keep him in the game.  Sure his shot isn’t stellar yet, but you can teach a guy to shoot better. You cannot teach size though, and the Stanimal has size.

Kennard has been in a weird spot as he’s in and out of Stan Van Gundy’s doghouse. However, if you look at his overall game he’s played well for a rookie. Sure you might be yelling that Pistons should have taken Donovan Mitchell, but guess what they can’t. So you’re going to have to love Luke instead. And from what I’ve seen from Kennard so far gives me hope for his future.

3. Change is coming

Maybe the biggest success of this season is that this Pistons’ regime could come to an end when the team doesn’t make the playoffs. There have been rumors swirling around Stan Van Gundy’s future with the team in the past few weeks. And it seems like one of his two titles are going to be revoked.

Next: Pistons are done and it's time to move on

I think if he’s out you need to go all the way. The Pistons have good players, but right now they seem to have lost faith in their coach. It’s time for a new guy to come in and not have all the power that Van Gundy had. Luckily that looks to be the case.

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