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Detroit Pistons: Keys to Sustaining Stunning Turnaround

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 26, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) high fives Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter agains the Indiana Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) high fives Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter agains the Indiana Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Pistons won 103-80. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Pistons won 103-80. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The Detroit Pistons waived forward Josh Smith on December 22, 2014. It was a shocking decision from a financial perspective, as Smith, in the midst of a four-year deal worth $54 million, was the Pistons’ highest-paid player.

Since the stunning decision, Detroit is an entirely different team.

Since Smith’s departure, the Pistons are 5-0 with an average margin of victory of 18.2 points per game. All five games have been decided by a double-digit margin, including four straight by at least 16 points.

The question is, what have been the keys to this massive turnaround?

More importantly, what are the keys to sustaining this high level of play?

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