NBA: Underperformers and overachievers for Week 25

Underperformer: Detroit Pistons

As the Philadelphia 76ers won their 12th straight game, the Detroit Pistons, in turn, were eliminated from playoff contention. They fell to the Sixers on Wednesday night, missing the NBA Playoffs for the second straight season.

Head coach Stan Van Gundy has just one playoff appearance in four seasons under his belt with the Pistons. Detroit made a move before the trade deadline to acquire Blake Griffin and strengthen its frontcourt, but to no avail, as nothing changed in Motown. The Detroit Pistons posted a 11-14 record with Griffin in the lineup — not too drastic of an improvement.

Griffin has been out since March 26 with a bone bruise in his right ankle. Griffin’s former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, on the other hand, is 14-9 and surging to a berth in the NBA Playoffs. Looks like they won the trade after all despite how things looked on the surface originally.

Changes should be on the horizon for the Detroit Pistons franchise, starting with some fresh faces in the backcourt.