Mar 29, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) holds the ball as Miami Heat forward Henry Walker (5) defends in the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Pistons
Last Year’s Outcome: 32-50, Lottery
Best-Case Scenario: 40-Win Season
Why: The Detroit Pistons are probably a year or two away from being true players in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. While I wouldn’t be surprised to see them sneak in the playoffs this season, if a few of the other teams ranked above the Pistons took an unexpected step back, I’m also not going to throw out a guarantee that the Stan Van Gundy-led Pistons will make the postseason. Not this year.
With that said, a 35-40-win season should be right in this team’s alley.
Worst-Case Scenario: 20-Win Season
Why: Even though I don’t believe that this Pistons team could fall to a 20-win campaign this season, because they’re simply too talented, only winning 20 games would be an epic failure for this team. Van Gundy has placed the foundation, and now it’s time for the team to continue to build UP. If the Pistons would fall to 20 wins, they’d be doing the complete opposite of that.
What Will Probably Happen: 35-Win Season
Why: Like I said, I believe that this team is a year away from being an actual playoff contender. A 35-win season, potentially even closer to 40 wins, sounds just about right for a team that has some serious growing up to do in Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond.
Next: Golden State Warriors