If you’re searching for an Eastern Conference team that might make a significant leap up the standings, consider the Detroit Pistons.
Although Detroit returns the great majority of a roster which won just 29 games a year ago (also Jodie Meeks, D.J. Augustin and Caron Butler), Stan Van Gundy’s arrival as controlling officer will add discipline and structure.
We understand SVG wins where he goes and that he sees a way by fitting playing style to succeed. If anyone can sort out the mess and backcourt ineptitude in Detroit, it is him.
That is not to say there will not be major hurdles, according to Zach Lowe of Grantland.com: »Stan Van Gundy is a top-five coach. This team will probably be frisky, however the Brandon Jennings–Josh Smith mix –even when they perform fewer minutes together–has reached’do not hope till you see them do great basketball things status.' »
Jennings and smith are harmful commodities . Both can shoot on their team from games if not precisely managed. For the Pistons to make noise, Van Gundy might have to rein those two while also getting more from the rest of the roster–Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond that is man-child in particular.
If Drummond provides Van Gundy a passable Dwight Howard impersonation (circa 2009), this team will be in business. And by company, I mean somewhere at or slightly above .500.
Let’s not get too crazy.
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