Detroit Pistons: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 Media Day

2. Dwane Casey brings new optimism

The Stan Van Gundy era is officially over, and the Dwane Casey era has officially begun. Casey answered plenty of questions, and he did his best instill some new optimism about the team’s bright future. He focused on the developments of players over the summer and where the team is going to end up. Casey also worked to help explain some of the new changes fans can expect to see with his new system.

He also discussed what all of their new additions can bring to the team. Zaza Pachulia and Jose Calderon were viewed as depth pieces by most people after they were signed, but he showed the ways they can contribute to this team. This team has a few older pieces, but the vast majority is younger guys. These new veterans bring new aspects, as well as a winning personality to a locker room that has lacked that in recent years.

The Pistons have been toiling in the middle of the Eastern Conference for a long time, and they are looking to move back up those ranks. Casey’s statements on Monday showed that he cares about making that happen sooner rather than later, but he also knows that it’s going to take some time for them to get there. The NBA is a marathon, not a sprint, but Casey has them prepared at the starting line for a big year.