Consider the Detroit Pistons, if you’re looking for an Eastern Conference team that might make a significant leap up the standings.
Although Detroit yields the vast majority of a roster that won only 29 games per year ago (also Jodie Meeks, D.J. Augustin and Caron Butler), Stan Van Gundy’s advent as commanding officer will include discipline and structure.
We understand SVG wins where he moves and that he sees a way to succeed by matching playing style. If anybody can sort out backcourt ineptitude and the frontcourt jumble in Detroit, it’s him.
That’s not to say there won’t be major hurdles, according to Zach Lowe of Grantland.com:”Stan Van Gundy is a top-five coach. This group will be frisky, but the Brandon Jennings–Josh Smith mix –even if they play fewer moments together–has attained’do not hope until you see them perform good basketball things standing.'”
Smith and Jennings are commodities that are harmful . Both can take their staff from games if not handled. For the Pistons to make sound, Van Gundy will need to rein those two while also getting more from the remainder of the roster–Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond that is man-child particularly.
If Drummond gives Van Gundy a passable Dwight Howard impersonation (circa 2009), this group will be in business. And by company, I mean above .500.
Let’s not get too crazy.
Read more: canballreport.com