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Detroit Pistons Season Preview: Were The Offseason Moves Impactful Enough?

By Jon Poole

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 09: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons looks on while playing the Memphis Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena on April 09, 2019 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)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 09: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons looks on while playing the Memphis Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena on April 09, 2019 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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Outlook

Last season the Detroit Pistons got more than anyone imagined with Blake Griffin extending his game out and having a career season at age 29. His injury problems didn’t hit till late in the season as Griffin played more minutes last season than only twice in his career, his rookie season, and 2013.

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Though Detroit Pistons fans tend to view Griffins ’18-’19 season as a healthy one, it’s a bit of fools gold. Down the stretch when it mattered the most – he wasn’t healthy or available some games to close out the season, all while the Pistons were sliding in the playoff seeding. Then wasn’t available in the first two playoff games before getting swept by the Bucks.

It goes without saying the Pistons season all comes to the performance and health of Blake Griffin. Even though he’s only a top 20 player in the league, Griffin is a real MVP candidate, if you’re looking at the true sense of the award (which we don’t). But, you could argue no team’s success depends more on one player’s performance than Griffin in Detroit. How much success is that? Well…

Predictions

The latest 2018-19 Pistons, with much of the same core, went 41-41 in the East in 2018-’19. With the improved bench, you should add a few games in the win column. You should also take into consideration the great luck in the health department they received last season until the very end with Mr. Everything, take away a few wins.

In what I’m sure is the least appealing prediction I could throw at you…

41-41 & the 8th playoff seed.

Conclusion

I know the Pistons fan base is excited about the upcoming season with some of the names they’ve brought in to pair with Griffin, and if it were still 2012, I would be right there with you. But a ‘Big 1.5’ with Blake Griffin and half of a star Drummond is not a recipe for postseason success if they can even make it that far.

Must Read. How newcomers could affect offensive statistics. light

Blake Griffin is a 3rd or 2nd option at best on a championship contender as much as I love Griffin in Detroit. He’s not a ticket to the promised land as a #1 option.

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