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Detroit Pistons: Biggest strengths and weaknesses for 2017-18

By Karintha Styles

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 6: Anthony Tolliver #43 of the Detroit Pistons high fives his teammates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 6, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 6: Anthony Tolliver #43 of the Detroit Pistons high fives his teammates during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 6, 2017 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)]
Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)] /

Strength No. 3: The Eastern Conference

I know, it sounds crazy, and now you’re wondering if I’m concussed. I’m not. How can an entire conference be part of a team’s strength? The mediocrity of the entire Eastern Conference means the everyone has a chance to break away from the pack and make some noise.

During a players only meeting, Anthony Tolliver talked to his teammates about being the team who shocked everyone by excelling in the NBA.

"“We can be one of the teams that shocks the NBA. There’s always a team that steps up and does something beyond what they look like on paper. There’s no reason that can’t be us this year.”"

Last season the Pistons’ ended a disappointing season in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. The Indiana Pacers claimed the seventh seed in the playoffs with a record of 40-42. The Bulls (the eighth seed) and the Miami Heat both ended the season with a record of 41-41. The Pistons’  season record was  37-45.

The West spent the summer reloading, so that conference will be even more lethal than it was last year.

Carmelo Anthony, Jimmy Butler, and Paul George have all moved to the Western Conference. Isaiah Thomas is still in the East, but he’s rehabbing his hip and may not see game action until January.

The restructuring in the East and the mass exodus of All-Stars to the West could be one of the biggest strengths for the Pistons this season.

https://twitter.com/SuperBroMovies/status/881913732925984768

The disparity between the Eastern and Western Conferences is so great the NBA is considering changing the playoff structure of the NBA.

"“In the 2014-15 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder missed the Western Conference playoffs with a record of 45-37, while the Brooklyn Nets secured the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a record of 38-44. The new seeding system would prevent imbalances like this from happening.”"

While the change hasn’t gone into effect yet, it clearly indicates the NBA is looking for ways to balance the power of the league. The proposed change would field the best 16 teams in the NBA playoff, regardless of conference. For now though, the Pistons stand to benefit from how bad the East is.

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