Detroit Pistons: It’s Time For A Reality Check

By Aaron Ferguson | Dec 27, 2015

Mar 27, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy reacts against the Orlando Magic during the first half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Detroit Pistons need a reality check with more than a third of the NBA season gone, and it might not be a bad thing.

The Detroit Pistons hold a 17-14 record through the first 38 percent of their schedule. Normally, that would be a record to land the fifth or sixth spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, with a strengthened conference, the Pistons are in 10th place.

They are only a half-game out of eighth place, despite being in 10th. The conference standings are very tight. The Pistons are 3½ games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are the top dogs in the East.

The Pistons have shown signs of their youth with a 7-9 record in away games this season. The good news is that they are taking care of their home court, going 10-5 at The Palace. However, the Pistons are 10-7 against the Eastern Conference, which they will need to improve upon if they want to make the playoffs.

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They also need to improve against the Western Conference, which they are 7-7 in games against the West. A bright spot of the season is getting their West Coast trip out of the way early in the season, however they went 2-4 on that trip. That means that they will have shorter road trips and won’t have to travel far during the second half of the season.

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It was around this time during the 2014-15 season that the Pistons got hot. They were 5-23 at Christmas Day last season, but their season changed at a rapid pace. The Pistons won 12 of their next 15 contests to improve to 17-26, a much better pace. However, their hot streak was halted by a torn left Achilles that Brandon Jennings sustained.

But it led them to the development of several players and shaping their team for this season.

The Pistons have benefited from the emergence of several players. Andre Drummond has developed into a force and one of the best centers in the NBA. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has become the team’s best defender and is becoming a good two-way player. They have had flashes of greatness from rookie forward Stanley Johnson, showing what may be to-come in the near future.

Needless to say, head coach Stan Van Gundy has been able to get his team to gel together early this season.

What is most impressive about where the Pistons are at right now? They have done all of this without the previously mentioned Jennings and Jodie Meeks, who was injured early in the season. The Pistons must be excited about some needed help on the way. The bench has been lacking of a scorer and they will get a big lift this week.

Jennings says he is ready to play following his torn left Achilles, according to the Detroit Free Press’ Terry Foster. Jennings would bring a needed scoring threat to a bench that has been built on their defense. He may still be a week or two away, according to MLive’s Aaron McMann. Regardless of when he returns, it will be soon, Jennings will bring a much-needed flair.

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The reality of the Pistons’ season is that they are in great shape through their first 31 games this season. They are only a half-game away from a playoff spot, and 3½ games away from the division and conference leads. For a team that hasn’t been at full-strength, the Pistons are poised to make a strong playoff push in the second half of the season.

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