Detroit Pistons: 5 biggest disappointments from 2017-18 NBA season

The Detroit Pistons fell short of expectations in the 2017-18 NBA season. Here are five of the biggest disappointments that played a part in their struggles.

The Detroit Pistons came into the 2017-18 NBA season with some decent expectations. People within the organization and their fans believed that they could make a run at the postseason. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

The Pistons finished ninth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 39-43. They missed out on the eighth spot in the playoffs by four games, so it wasn’t really even close. While this season was technically an improvement over 2016-17, the Pistons thought they would be in a better spot.

In the offseason, moves were made with the intention of a team in win-now mode. Decisions during the regular season mirrored that thinking, but it was not meant to be. Injuries derailed the team, as did the constant changing of the lineups. Andre Drummond started in 78 games, and the next highest amount of games started on the team was 52. Without continuity, the Pistons looked lost at times on the court.

The defense was solid throughout the year, as the Pistons finished 10th in defensive rating in the NBA. However, there weren’t many other positives to take away from the season. By making a push for the postseason and not qualifying for it, the Pistons are in a tough spot without many future assets.

There are multiple reasons that the Pistons are stuck in the position they’re in. Here are five of the biggest disappointments and reasons for Detroit struggling during the 2017-18 season.