Detroit Pistons: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19 NBA season

1. Will Blake Griffin stay healthy?

This is the most important question, because the answers to the other two questions depend largely on the answer to this question. In other words, the Pistons’ short-term and long-term success is undeniably tied to a superstar talent whose durability has become a problem.

After Griffin was drafted No. 1 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009, he missed the entire season following knee surgery. However, he was a virtual rock in L.A.’s lineup for the next four year … until he caught the injury bug in 2014-15. He hasn’t been able to shake it since.

Griffin has been sidelined by everything from staph infections to broken bones he sustained by punching a Clippers’ employee. He’s had knee, toe, ankle and quad injuries. He hasn’t played more than 67 games in a season since 2014-15, and injuries have forced him to end playoff runs prematurely.

Was it simply the curse of the Clippers? Could Griffin’s luck change in Detroit?

https://twitter.com/Datboireal25/status/1023016496816119809

Not too many players who develop an “injury-prone” reputation before turning 30 suddenly become Iron Man after 30. But it’s possible.

If Griffin can give the Detroit Pistons 70 or more games this season, they have the pieces to be a top-five team in the East. If he can remain relatively healthy for the duration of the next four years, then this franchise can put together something special beyond this season.

Prediction: Griffin misses 10-12 games this season with minor injuries and rest, but nothing major