Detroit Pistons: 5 keys to making the playoffs in 2017-18

4. Reggie Jackson and the rest of the starters have to stay healthy

Reggie Jackson‘s ongoing knee tendonitis caused him to miss 30 games last season. The Pistons’ lack of depth on the bench left them without many answers when their star guard went down.

On Media Day, Van Gundy told Keith Langlois of NBA.com how important it would be to bring Jackson back slowly.

"“There’s more than the injury healing when guys are coming back,” he said. “There’s a lot more to it. “We won’t throw him out in a regular season game until he’s ready to go through everything for a week,” Van Gundy said. “We want to get to where he can go out there every day, do everything, feel fine, have confidence, know he’s in a rhythm and be out there with his teammates to develop a rhythm. We didn’t do that last year. That’s on me.”"

Conditioning, rehabbing and not rushing players back too soon may help the Pistons avoid the injury bug and keep players on the court all season.

3. Shoot your shot

Last season the Detroit Pistons ranked 28th out of 30 teams in 3-point percentage while taking fewer attempts per game than 25 other squads.  Per Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, the Pistons were also dead last in true shooting percentage.

Even in the mediocre East, those numbers won’t help the Pistons make a run at a playoff berth.

Enter the Detroit Pistons’ hope, as Luke Kennard was considered the best pure shooter in the draft.

Kennard was lauded for not just his spot-up shooting, but also his ability to create shots off the dribble and in traffic, adding some scoring punch off the bench.

"“They’re getting the best shooter in the draft,” ESPN‘s Jay Williams said on draft night."

Kennard and Bradley will find their place with their new team quickly. Kennard will have to fight for time and impress Van Gundy to get playing time. Bradley has the benefit of being a veteran starter, but the point remains.

Bradley has the benefit of being a veteran starter so finding his niche, and shot in a new place shouldn’t be difficult.

According to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, Stan Van Gundy addressed the issue of last year’s shooting.

"“You have to be able to shoot the ball and obviously that’s been a major issue with us and one that, through development or whatever, we do with our roster, has got to change next year.”"