Detroit Pistons: 3 takeaways from 2017-18 NBA preseason

1.  The Pistons need Avery Bradley and Andre Drummond to have All-Star caliber seasons to make the playoffs

Center Andre Drummond is slimmer and faster after having surgery to repair a deviated septum. Drummond has also been almost unrecognizable from the line this preseason. After previously setting a record for most free throws missed in an NBA game, Drummond has done a complete 180 from the line. In the Pistons’ final preseason game, Drummond was 12-for-14 from the line (85.7 percent).

The Detroit Pistons are Drummond’s team and going into his sixth season in the league, it’s time for him to put the team on his back and produce.

Recently Paul Pierce, Rachel Nichols, Jalen Rose and former Pistons great Chauncey Billups discussed what Drummond needs to do to lead his team to the promised land.

Detroit’s other potential All-Star weapon is Avery Bradley. The Pistons acquired Bradley when they traded Marcus Morris to Boston. In addition to superior defensive skills, Bradley is a veteran with playoff experience. He probably would’ve made the All-Star roster last year if he had not been battling injury.

Five preseason games aren’t a very good indication of what a team can accomplish in an 82-game season. The Warriors’ preseason record was 2-2, yet the defending champions are still everyone’s favorite to repeat and hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy for the third time in just four years.

However, this team’s preseason play has given the fans, players, and experts reason to believe its can break away from the middle of the pack and claim one of the eight playoff seeds in the East.

Next: 2017-18 Week 1 NBA Power Rankings

The Detroit Pistons tip off the inaugural season at Little Caesars Arena against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, Oct. 18.