2018-2019 Pistons

mtburb · Unread post by **mtburb** » Sun Dec 02, 2018 11:15 pm

Since my previous thread on this season's Pistons was lost in the October crash, here's a remake.

We are almost two months into this season and the Pistons are continuing to solidify a bit. This was highlighted by last night's win over the defending champions the Warriors. At 13-7, they are looking increasingly confident, and Reggie Jackson and Blake Griffin have finally figured out how to share the playmaking with each other. In fact, they managed to attract a sellout crowd to the Little Caesar's Arena.

However, LCA crowds had been lousy before that game and I still think they need to hold their own throughout December and try to keep Jackson and Griffin healthy all season long. If so, they have a chance of getting a 4, 5 or 6 seed at the end of the season.

moldyoldie · Unread post by **moldyoldie** » Mon Dec 03, 2018 6:18 am

mtburb wrote: ↑Sun Dec 02, 2018 11:15 pm ...and try to keep Jackson and Griffin healthy all season long.

Therein lies the rub. Griffin has been a good spark plug and playmaker for this team. The team is also playing inspired basketball under Coach Casey.

Mega Hertz · Unread post by **Mega Hertz** » Mon Dec 03, 2018 8:02 am

I just need a team that I either don't fall asleep watching on the couch or get yelled at because of my language around the kids. If it's the Pistons, so be it.

moldyoldie · Unread post by **moldyoldie** » Sat Dec 29, 2018 10:16 am

MWmetalhead wrote: ↑Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:58 am The Pistons' back court is brutally bad.

...and the absence of injured Ish Smith doesn't help.

I didn't see the Indiana game, but I take it the score told the story.

MWmetalhead wrote:The L.A. Clippers / Pistons trade from last season will go down as one of the worst trade deals in Detroit sports history, IMO. The Blake Griffin contract is like an albatross around the Pistons' necks. Tobias Harris is putting up great numbers for the Clippers so far this season.

Blake Griffin has been everything expected, his contract notwithstanding. Even up, I'd take him over Harris any day. I know you're a fan of advanced metrics; compare those of the two side-by-side and you'll see a definite edge for Griffin, especially defensively.

I was expecting much better shooting from Reggie Bullock after what he showed last season; he's fallen off considerably.

moldyoldie · Unread post by **moldyoldie** » Mon Dec 31, 2018 8:23 am

MWmetalhead wrote: ↑Sat Dec 29, 2018 3:19 pm I would rather still have Harris and Marjanovic on my team, my lottery pick, and my cap space!!

FWIW, that lottery pick turned out to be none other than ex-Spartan Miles Bridges at #12, a talented underachiever if there ever was one. Hypothetically speaking, if the Pistons had not made the Griffin deal and had taken Bridges in the draft, would the Pistons be a better team today? It's certainly arguable, but I have serious doubts, unless he could also spearhead the offense more efficiently from the forward position and make better decisions than the likes of point guard Reggie Jackson, and most certainly would not as well as Griffin does now. Besides, Bridges and Tobias Harris are basically the same kind of player -- a tweener combo forward roughly the same size and talent. Also, from what I can currently gather, no other player selected after Bridges has made much of a serious impact in their rookie year except as a role player.

As far as the cap space and free agency is concerned, it all depends on what's out there. You wanna spend big bucks on another Ben Gordon or (ugh!) J-Smoove?

moldyoldie · Unread post by **moldyoldie** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 9:18 am

How is it even possible to have a 25-point lead in the second quarter and lose by 10?

There is a major malfunction on this team and it ain't Blake Griffin. Casey had better tear open a new one on this team before the scant crowds at LCA disappear entirely.

moldyoldie · Unread post by **moldyoldie** » Sat Feb 09, 2019 9:53 am

So far, new sharp-shooting acquisition Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk is shooting .500 with one air ball and one triple.

format this · Unread post by **format this** » Sun Mar 03, 2019 11:29 pm

Wow. The Pistons are very much in playoff contention as the #6 seed if the regular season ended today, and the thread is quiet. I guess it will wake up if they collapse.

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moldyoldie · Unread post by **moldyoldie** » Mon Mar 04, 2019 3:05 pm

format this wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2019 11:29 pm Wow. The Pistons are very much in playoff contention as the #6 seed if the regular season ended today, and the thread is quiet. I guess it will wake up if they collapse.

I knew there was a winning team in the there somewhere.

Since the deadline trades, the team's on-court chemistry has improved immensely, especially on defense...and especially Drummond!

Luke Kennard is proving to be a genuine asset off the bench as well.

moldyoldie · Unread post by **moldyoldie** » Thu Mar 14, 2019 7:38 pm

Back-to-back road stinkers against teams we're battling for playoff position and doubts are beginning to re-emerge.

mtburb · Unread post by **mtburb** » Sat Mar 23, 2019 9:27 am

Solid job in their latest victory against a weak Suns. Our #6 seed lead has gotten better and thanks to a Lakers loss, they have been eliminated from playoff contention so we shall not need to worry about them.

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