Through 14 games, were 6-8. After starting 0-5, we’re 6-3, and sit in the 7th seed in the Eastern conference. Its much much better than last year’s embarrassment (so far).
Some weird stats:
We lead the league in turnovers (ahem, Cade), and are dead last in steals. We’re mid-pack in most shooting numbers. We lead the league in rebounds, but we give up the third most rebounds.
Should we root for the Pistons to sneak into the playoffs???
Here’s the rub:
Our first round pick is top-13 protected in 2025, top-11 in 2026, top-nine in 2027 and will convert to a second-round pick if not conveyed by then.
The lottery is the worst 14 teams. So, if we make the playoffs we give up our first rounder.
Actually if we’re the best team NOT to make the playoffs, we likely lose our first rounder, unless we get real lucky in the lottery.
I’m rooting for 34-38 wins. That might be the sweet spot for having a non-infinitesimal lottery odds, and showing marked improvement.
What do you think?
(a) Tank three more years- we’re not ready?
(b) Screw the pick (and the chance at the lottery), lets just win, please.
(c) Show improvement, stay in the lottery for at least one more year, then bust out next year or the year after when our pick will suck anyway?
I hear you.
But the argument against that is basically the Pistons of the 20 teens.
We were in and out of the playoffs. When we made the playoffs we got our asses swept.
So we were always picking in the teens… and the cupboard of new talent quickly dried up (mix in some SVG obscenties for stupid draft picks).
That led to a path of being a laughing stock for 3-5 years.
But at the same time, I can see just winning, its been so freaking long since we were decent.
It’s weird because they’ve lost a couple of games they should have won by being anti-clutch. They’re close to 500 though they really haven’t gotten a good contribution from their best free agent or their number five overall draft pick or anything from the number five overall draft pick from last year.
They don’t have anybody with more than three assists a game except Cade and they seem to be having success rebounding but don’t have one guy who’s a massive stat collector there, though during is close to that when he’s healthy which he hasn’t been.
I’m actually confused on how they’re winning games at this point so if I looked at it I bet part of it is a weak schedule
Yeah - it feels like smoke and mirrors. Grady Dick clanged two wide-open threes, and then another missed wide open three allowed them to beat Toronto, who has the worst record in the East.
In Milwaukee, the ref’s say: here we’ll gift you two free throws, hit one to win the game. Um, no thank you.
They don’t feel built to make the playoffs yet.
Tobias has been a real disappointment, but Beasley – we’re going to have to start calling him Beastly if he keeps it up.
The thing thats missing is an identity. Who are they?
First off the opposing teams won’t “let us win” so if we win, it’s a sign of improvement. Asking guys to keep losing in order to have a shot at another 19 year old savior is a foolish plan…
No, I agree - having the number 12 pick doesn’t mean a thing.
Having a 10% chance at having the number 1 pick? 20% for the first two picks? That’s menaningful. But that’s saying our lottery odds will finally even out, which for this snake-bit team is kind of a fantasy.
Honest question- do you disagree with my opinion? The data I provide? Or do you simply hate reading posts with more than 20 words and no pictures?
I also meaning that in a kidding way, but with a hint of truth
I guess saying NBA draft picks from #5-13 are typically busts could have been my post-
However I feel certain that somebody would posts Giannis, Haliburton, Ivey etc…
Based on “our track record” we’d need 3-4 more drafts to find another Ivey level player in that range. Seems like a lot of losing for a decent starter?
You’re good, lol.
I know little about the NBA, in it’s current state, as I haven’t cared for it for over 20yrs as it became more a me league than a team league in my opinion.
I have tried to follow the Pistons the last few years but they fail and my disgust with how the NBA has evolved turns me after 10-20games. Slightly more intrigued this year as the Pistons may have a pulse. Enought to watch via pirated streams, occasionally but not consistantly…more interested in UM’s new BB coach.
I know BBall rules from growing up in the 70’s and 80’s/90’s but man has it evolved to an unwatchable sport for me.
Cade Cunningham might be the least clutch player in the fourth quarter I’ve ever seen. He misses free throws. He turns the ball over like nobody’s business. And he clunks shots. I would be OK benching his ass every fourth quarter. Why not? All he does is give the ■■■■■■■ game away every damn time.
