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5 Reasons The Detroit Pistons Won’t Make The Playoffs

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 4, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) walks onto the court with guard Reggie Jackson (1) and forward Anthony Tolliver (43) in front of him during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Heat 99-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) walks onto the court with guard Reggie Jackson (1) and forward Anthony Tolliver (43) in front of him during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Heat 99-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 13, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) is guarded by Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) and center Andre Drummond (0) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

4. The Rest Of The East Got Better

For the record, I believe the Pistons could seriously be in contention for a playoff spot, especially if the Indiana Pacers’ overnight switch to small-ball doesn’t pan out as expected. Paul George‘s leg injury was a horrific fluke, but Frank Vogel’s squad is still one PG-13 injury away from becoming an R-rated picture — watchable only with parental supervision.

Assuming George stays healthy, however, he looked like a borderline MVP candidate during the preseason, thriving in a small-ball 4 role that will make Indiana incredibly difficult to defend with traditional lineups. With the addition of Monta Ellis, the Pacers have enough playmakers, shooters and star talent to compete with any Eastern team on a nightly basis.

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The Milwaukee Bucks fielded the league’s second best defense last year, and though the addition of Greg Monroe/return of Jabari Parker will take that top-notch D down a few pegs, Jason Kidd has the personnel to hide them on that end. A lot of people are picking the Bucks to regress, but defense is always the safer pick in these kinds of conversations.

Barring a couple of devastating injuries, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards are all likely returning to the playoffs. The Miami Heat, who have an impressive starting five, will be another surefire playoff team.

That leaves the Pistons to duke it out with the Pacers, Bucks and Boston Celtics — who have one of the best coaches in the NBA and a vastly upgraded frontcourt — for that last playoff spot. As of right now, the Pistons have too much to prove for us to slot them in ahead of any of those three teams.

Next: No. 3

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