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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 6, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith (6) during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith (6) during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

No More Josh Smith

Josh Smith is an immensely talented player. He’s a 6’9″ hybrid forward who can handle the ball, pass, post up, attack in transition and play an elite level of defense when focused.

J-Smoove simply didn’t fit in with the Pistons.

The Toronto Raptors have improved without Rudy Gay and the Sacramento Kings have made strides with him. The Pistons and the Houston Rockets are doing the same with Smith.

In 28 games with Detroit in 2014-15, Smith averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. Those are very strong numbers, but they came with a slash line of .391/.243/.468.

This follows a 2013-14 campaign in which he shot 41.9 percent from the field for the Pistons—his first season below 45.7 percent shooting since 2006-07.

Smith’s newfound inefficiency severely damaged Detroit’s odds of winning games.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Detroit had a net rating of negative-11.6 when Smith was on the floor. That number jumped to positive-6.6 when he was on the bench.

That’s a difference of 18.2 points per 100 possessions.

What more needs to be said?

Next: An Underrated Return

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