How The Detroit Pistons Have Turned It Around

Since Josh Smith took his dreams of becoming a three-point shooter to Houston, the Detroit Pistons are undefeated. Here’s the real key to their recent success

Since waiving Josh Smith, the Detroit Pistons are undefeated, and their five-game winning streak is good enough for the second longest win streak in the NBA right now. With the season they’d been having any win would be impressive, but with victories over LeBron James‘ Cleveland Cavaliers and a talented (albeit disappointing) Sacramento Kings team, Stan Van Gundy’s Pistons have impressed.

It may not have turned their season around, as they’re still ranked 13th in the Eastern Conference, but it’s a big step in the right direction.

So now that Smith has departed and taken his dreams of becoming a good three-point shooter to Houston, how is it that the Pistons have managed to amass just as many wins in this five-game stretch as they did in their previous 28?

More from Sir Charles In Charge

• LeBron James working to assemble super team for USA Basketball in 2024
• Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
• NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
• Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
• Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?

Well, there’s no doubt now that this Pistons team is far better without Smith, as all his teammates are playing better since his departure. Sometimes the chemistry just doesn’t work, and his play style and inefficiency clashed entirely with the talents of his teammates.

He was never a reliable option for his teammates to pass to, as he insisted on taking endless three-pointers, and didn’t put enough emphasis on using his strong finishing ability to take the ball inside.

Even when Smith did try to work inside the paint, there was just too much of a clash between him, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. Three power forward-type players in the same starting lineup is just a hard combination to pull off.

That’s all in the past, though. And now, more than anyone, Brandon Jennings has elevated his game to give the Pistons a desperately needed boost.

Dec 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Pistons guard

(7) works against Cleveland Cavaliers guard

(21) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Pistons won 103-80. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

During the Pistons five-game win streak, Jennings has gone from averaging just over 12 points per game on below 40 percent shooting to 21.6 points on 55.8 percent shooting. Not to mention he’s been scorching-hot from deep, making 48.6 percent of his three-point attempts during this stretch.

He’s always been a streaky shooter, and scoring 55 points in a game against the Golden State Warriors during his rookie season has since become more of a curse than a blessing. Simply because it put sky high expectations on his back that have become too much for him to achieve.

However, there’s no doubt Jennings can score and still has some more potential that he can tap into. His lack of efficiency (he has a career field goal percentage of just 39%) is always going to be an issue, but with an increased opportunity to have control of the perimeter, now with Smith gone, and the knowledge that his team doesn’t think he’s worth $6 million less than Smith, we could see some improvement and poise in the near future for Jennings.

He may very well get too trigger happy again (which is really going to make Van Gundy’s head explode), yet right now Jennings is playing at his best.

Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons guard

(20) shoots a three pinter over Orlando Magic guard

(10) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Three-point shooting has been a key element of the Detroit Pistons slight return to relevance. The Pistons, of course, took their fair share of long range jumpers while Smith was around, but it’s the efficiency at which they’re converting their chances from downtown now which will be a key to any success they might have going forward.

Leading the way so far is none other than Jodie Meeks.

Just prior to the new year, against the Orlando Magic, Meeks buried 9 of 11 three-pointers on his way to a 34 point performance and a 109-86 win for his Detroit Pistons.

Dec 2, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard

(5) goes to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers center

(27) during the game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Smith could have done that too though, right? Because he made 9 three-pointers while he was with the Pistons this year too. Although it took him all 28 games with Detroit to reach that total. (Honestly I don’t have a major problem with Smith, but I can’t imagine how frustrated his teammates got that a 6’9″ power forward kept trying to be a two-guard).

Meanwhile, Meeks is back from injury and shooting lights out. He’s making 47 percent of his shots from deep this year and he’s even hit 17 three’s in his last five outings alone. Even Kyle Singler and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are chipping in, too. After improving his three-point shooting from a year ago (up from 31 to 36%) Pope is contributing 2 three’s a game and Singler is making a highly efficient 40 percent of his three’s.

In their last five games, Detroit has collectively shot 42 percent from behind the arc. Which, if they’d managed to do all season long, would be the best team three-point percentage in the NBA.

Obviously they aren’t going to maintain this kind of hot shooting for the rest of the year, but the fact that they’re shooting 8 percent better from three-point range during this winning streak than they have for the rest of the season is a promising sign to say the least.

Jan 2, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons forward

(10) dunks during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Finally, it’s the havoc-wreaking duo of Monroe and Drummond that has been the cornerstone to this Detroit Pistons turnaround, and the real driving force behind this team that’s accounted for a good part of their wins over the last couple of seasons.

The combination of their hustle points, offensive put-backs and Monroe’s occasional mid range jumper makes these twin towers a force to be reckoned with on offense. I know Drummond struggles at the charity stripe (making only 41% of his free throws this year) and neither of these two are Dirk Nowitzki-type shooters who can fully stretch the floor, but they will pound anyone inside and grind all game to dominate the paint.

Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons center

(0) blocks Orlando Magic guard

(5) during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 109-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Combined, Monroe and Drummond bring in 7.7 offensive rebounds per game (2.9 and 4.8, respectively) which has put the Pistons on the map as the dominant rebounding team they are; ranking second in offensive rebounds and fifth overall this season.

Despite receiving a fairly moderate amount of playing time (30 minutes per night) Drummond fills the stat sheet as well as anyone, and is averaging 13.1 rebounds a game (2nd in the NBA) and has led the league in offensive rebounds since last season. Add on the fact that he’s ranked sixth in defensive rating (98.4) and you can’t argue with how much of an overall impact Drummond has on this team.

The Pistons frontcourt duo even seems to be upping their game since Smith left as well. Monroe has notched three double-doubles and Drummond has posted 20-plus rebounds twice in just the last three games. (That’s even hard for Mr ‘Superstar’ Kevin Love to do).

With their finishing ability on offense, rebounding and the way they anchor the defense, there’s no doubt that Monroe and Drummond are the future of the Detroit Pistons. You know, if they can ever convince Monroe to re-sign.

Nov 21, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) grabs a rebound against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Their recent hot streak has helped fuel this five-game win streak, and with no Josh Smith hoisting up long range jumpers (which creates longer rebounds, consequently drawing them away from the basket which reduces their effectiveness of getting offensive put-backs) or trying to do his job only when he feels like it, the Pistons future looks just that little bit brighter.

If Jennings works on his efficiency and shot selection, moves the ball effectively with Meeks, Caldwell-Pope and D.J. Augustin, everyone maintains their best three-point form and Monroe and Drummond keep dominating in every way they know how, then maybe the Pistons can string together enough wins to make a late push for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Next: The Lakers swung and missed on a potential trade again. This is starting to become a trend