Hoops Habit
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NBA Power Rankings: HoopsHabit Holiday Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 23, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Los Angeles won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Los Angeles won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

28. Detroit Pistons

Record: 5-23

Last Week: 0-3

Previous Rank: No. 28

The Detroit Pistons entered the 2014-15 NBA regular season with a talented, but crowded interior attack. Center Andre Drummond has star potential, Greg Monroe is a skilled offensive player and Josh Smith is inefficient, but incredibly well-rounded.

Rather than making a trade, the Pistons opted to add via subtraction.

Regardless of how you feel about the financial ramifications of this move, it’s one that could actually help the Pistons moving forward.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, the Pistons were a plus-0.7 when Smith was on the bench. More importantly, Detroit was an awful minus-11.6 when Smith was on the court.

It’s a stretch to say the Pistons would be a playoff team without Smith, but it’s also something that the numbers suggest they could be. Monroe, a borderline All-Star in past seasons, will replace Smith in the starting lineup and improved team efficiency could follow.

Until Detroit actually begins to win, however, all we have to go on is speculation. That’s why they rank where they do.

Next: No Glory at the Mecca