Detroit Pistons: 5 reasons to be excited for 2018-19 NBA season

2. A new ceiling

Under Van Gundy, the team could only reach certain heights. His system and way of thinking were out of date for the modern NBA. He lacked the advanced analytics style of thinking that a lot of teams have moved to in the past couple of years. Most teams have moved further from the basket, but he added Griffin, who is great but doesn’t fit the modern power forward mold. Casey has consistently changed his style to adapt to the changing league.

In addition to the coaching and personnel changes, they changed their management team. They changed out their GM in favor of a new assistant GM, who should be developing to take over the GM job in the near future. Malik Rose has a bright future, and he has served on some of the best developmental staffs in the NBA, including the “Trust the Process” Philadelphia 76ers. This team’s future is bright.

One major difference is the continued changes in the Eastern Conference. King James has gone west, which presumably opens up a playoff spot the Pistons can fill. The Indiana Pacers should regress some after last season, and the Pistons should also be healthier this year. Injuries can derail an entire season, and the Pistons have experienced that as much as anyone in recent years.