Detroit Pistons: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

5. Detroit becomes a top-eight defense

During his time at the helm of the Orlando Magic, coach Van Gundy oversaw a defense that ranked in the top five in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) for four consecutive seasons, including leading the league in 2008-09. Of course, when you have a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year in Dwight Howard on your roster, it’s going to help enormously on that end of the floor.

Over his three seasons in Detroit, Van Gundy’s Pistons have ranked 21st, 13th and 11th in defensive rating, with last year featuring a rating of 105.3. This offseason has seen the departure of starters Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris.

The aforementioned Bradley will be an excellent addition to this end of the floor. Despite standing just 6’2″, Bradley has demonstrated the ability to cover players that comfortably overlook him in terms of height and size. These abilities will come in very handy while sharing the backcourt with point guard Reggie Jackson.

Last season while Jackson was on the floor, the Pistons had a defensive rating of 110.5. But this number shrunk to 102.4 when Jackson was resting. Granted, Jackson’s start to last season was derailed by injury, and he was never quite his usual self when he returned. Nonetheless, these numbers certainly ring alarm bells, and Bradley’s ability to defend multiple positions should enable Jackson to take a lesser role at the defensive end.

But overall, if the Pistons can have a more settled and healthy starting five this season, a top eight ranked defense is certainly within reach considering their moves this summer and their No. 11 ranking last year. While they may not have a Howard-caliber player on their roster, the presence of Van Gundy makes this ranking all the more achievable.