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Philippines, 19 May 2024 |
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NBA -- Can the Pistons make the Top 8 in the East? By Ahmad Shah PhilBoxing.com Sun, 09 Sep 2018 DETROIT-- After a rousing 10-3 start last regular season, the Detroit Pistons hobbled in the end, finishing with a disappointing 39-43 record and missed the NBA playoffs by a mere four games behind the Washington Wizards. But the upcoming 2018-19 season offers better hope. With the relief of Stan Vundy the Pistons have a new bench tactician in former Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey. A new voice could set forth a new direction and marshal the troops to a more productive campaign. As in last season's push, Detroit will rely heavily on the firepower of their front court --- the dangerous 1-2 punch of Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin. The 6-foot-11, 279-pound Drummond averaged 15 points and 16 rebounds in 78 games last season while the 6-foot-10, 251-pound Griffin turned in a well-rounded 19.8. points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.2 dimes in only 28 outings after he is trade from the Los Angeles Clippers last January 29. Drummond and Griffin will earn a combined salary of $61 million this coming season, a huge chunk of the Pistons' total team salary of $124.7 million. Adding to the strength of Detroit is the addition of veterans Jose Calderon from the Cleveland Cavaliers and ZaZa Pachulia from the Golden State Warriors, as well as Glen Robinson III from the Indiana Pacers. The bench, however, will be an issue as only Reggie Jackson is the catalyst with his 14.6 points and 5.3 assists per game average last season. In terms of talent and bench depth, the Pistons have a long ways to go to catch up with Eastern Conference powerhouses such as Boston, Toronto, and Philadelphia. But with the East weakened at the lower rung, plus the departure of LeBron James from the Cleveland to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Pistons, if consistently healthy, may just sneak in for a playoffs spot in April next year. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ahmad Shah.  |
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