Full article at link, beginning of each reason below.
Defense has improved, substantially
Entering Wednesday’s 131-11 loss in Memphis, the Pistons ranked 12th in defensive rating at 111.9, tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s the most drastic area of improvement for the team, a significant increase from last season’s 25th-ranked mark of 118.
Young players find roles
Jaden Ivey’s game-winner against the Toronto Raptors Monday shined a spotlight on his improved play in year 3. It’s been a career season for Ivey thus far, averaging career-highs in points (18.4), field goal percentage (44.7%) and 3-point percentage
Room for growth
Outside shooting, an annual offseason priority, is another area the Pistons have also routinely fallen short in. They ranked bottom-nine in 3-point percentage for four straight seasons before this one. So far, they haven’t shown much growth from last season.
I agree with much of the article. Defense is better overall. Still leaving 3 point shooters too wide open. Also they Don’t do enough to keep the ball away from other team’s hot shooters - especially down the stretch. Beasley is a decent shooter but can be maddeningly inconsistent. Harris looks to be a shell of his former self. Holland looks like he belongs. Not much growth yet in Duren and Ivey and I’d be ok if Stewart was shipped out. Cade needs to trade in his vag for an actual rod. Hurt way too often and is a liability late in the 4th quarter. He does some disastrously awful things late in games. Overall though it’s a much better product to watch. Bickerstaff seems so much than Monte…but then again, who wouldn’t?
Cade and Ivey found a rhythm this year. Hardaway and Harris can both hit 3’s and Duren is a constant lob threat and a threat on the offensive glass. Beasley is scorer with unit 2, and holland and Ausar are crazy athletes with energy. Font and Stew can play D, shoot 3 a bit and rebound solidly.
The young guys needed to grow up a bit, but the coach and Tobias, Hardaway and Beasley filled in the cracks. I see a 7 seed