NBA Power Rankings Week 19: April review and the rising Phoenix Suns
By Corey Rausch
27. Detroit Pistons
Last Week: Beat Atlanta Hawks 100-86, Lost to Dallas Mavericks 115-105, Lost to Charlotte Hornets 107-94
This Week: 5/3 vs. Orlando Magic, 5/4 vs. Charlotte Hornets, 5/6 vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 5/8 at Philadelphia 76ers
The youth movement has taken the spotlight with the Detroit Pistons, as veterans are starting to get rested on a more regular occasion. For example, against the Dallas Mavericks to end the month the Pistons fielded a starting lineup of Killian Hayes-Josh Jackson-Saddiq Bey-Sekou Doumbouya-Isaiah Stewart. If that does not scream future (and tank) I don’t know what does.
The return of Killian Hayes in particular has made the watching experience noticeably better. He throws passes no one else on the team can dream of, finding lanes for his teammates to succeed in. He also plays above-average defense for a rookie, averaging 1.6 steals per game. He has a long way to go as a scorer and needs to cut down on turnovers, but the potential is there for something special.
The other rookies have been strong as well. Stewart has cemented the 3-point shot as part of his game, at least in small doses, and has moved into the lead among all rookies in rebounding. Saddiq Bey continues to be a prolific rookie shooter from distance. The Pistons are not as bad as their record indicates and with a little lottery luck, and internal development, next year may not be so bad.