TBT: Detroit Pistons

2021 Finish: 69-13
(1^st in the East, Eastern Conference Champs, 21 Runners Up)

Season Highlight: Making the Big Dance

If you said to GM Sheed that his Pistons would be in the Finals at the end of the season, I am sure he would have been thrilled. And so he should. An exciting roster, and entertaining core, and an unbeatable rhythm. They were world-beaters at times, even showing the likes of the Spurs, Blazers and Hornets The Pistons showed the NSL community that they are the real deal. They didn�t just make it. They made it convincingly and showed the league a spirit and tenacity that many had not. There moves and roster-management has been some of the best in the entire league.

If not for the Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving easily could have been the MVP with his explosive showing � an average 41 pts, 8 assists and 3 boards for the series. He was exceptional. The Pistons had the 3^rd best record in the entire league and only dropped 13 games on the season � a true high for the organisation and one to build from.

Season Lowlight: Losing the Finals in a Clean Sweep

In a league that had many movers and shakers, the Detroit Pistons quietly made their voices heard. With a list that was truly dynamite, the Pistons bruised teams on all ends of the court. The Pistons core players were the group of players that no team wanted to face hence the best record in the East, and the 3^rd best record in the league.

GM Sheed knew exactly what he was doing when he built this team. They had one mission � WIN. And with that came an onus on the players to win the title. They fell short, however the building blocks and connection is obvious. With the likes of Kyrie Irving, Rudy Gobert, Edrice Adebayo (Bam), and Kyle Lowry (FA), the Pistons showed the league that they have what it takes.

Best Trade:

Kyle Lowry was an elite member of the Pistons line-up. All you need to do is look at the Eastern Conference finals and see his exceptional role in the clean sweep of the Chicago Bulls. Lowry averaged 30.6 points and 8 assists in that series. His connection with Kyrie Irving was explosive. The two were the best true guard duo in the league in my opinion and for what the Pistons gave up, the impact was monumental. If not for a super-human San Antonio Spurs, the Pistons may have won their first NSL championship thanks to his role. Losing Dragic didn�t impact the team greatly, and Barton�s omission didn�t stifle the inner workings of the team either. The Pistons will be hoping that they can bring Lowry�s services back to the Rock City, and with the depth of their roster the 1^st-Round pick they gave up will not be too painful heading forward.

Worst Trade: 

The Pistons managed to muster a roster with exceptional depth. In the way the roster was built this move seemed the right move, but in the mind of hindsight may be one they regretted. In this deal, Powell has shown to have more upside and more value long-term it would seem. While not disastrous, it would have been an interesting proposition to place Powell in that Pistons roster and see how he could influence with bench minutes. Even on a basis of 2k influence, the ratings don�t lie, Powell establishing an 80 rating, and Satoransky a lowly 75.

 

Other Notable Trades:

 
Free Agency:

Detroit have roster spots open to fill, and they have the record that will lure those looking to win a chip. The Pistons will be looking to bolster the roster with new heads that can turn their team from Runners Up, to Championships. Kyle Lowry is the only Free Agent on the books currently, and it would be counter-intuitive to let him go. One would think they try to get him back at all costs. They will be wanting to source a Small Forward to fill out the lineup.

They have their starting C, starting PF, starting SG and starting PG. The loss of Carmelo Anthony will mean that they need someone to fill the slot � they found a chink in the armour in the finals there even with Melo. Is this an area for improvement and do the Pistons have the Salary Space to bring in someone up to the role; or hope that Bolmaro can take the NSL step forward in his rookie year. As they enter the Free Agency window they have made room for an influx on influence � watch this space.

 
Kyrie or Not Kyrie? That Is The Question

What a saga�

Kyrie was the spiritual, and literal leader of the Piston during the season. He was everything and more for a team that boasted serious NSL talent. In a team that needed that voice Kyrie Irving was electric. However, as the season begins will we be seeing his talents for many games. His adverse beliefs on vaccination could be the barrier between the Pistons and their best player seeing court-time.

We can only imagine that the front office are pulling their hair out at the prospect of not having Kyrie � Uncle Drew himself � and the notion that his absence could be season-long is frightening. The likes of Lowry (if he is on the roster) and the other crew including Tomas Satoransky will need to shoulder the burden.

It�s an obvious prospect:

A)    Kyrie Irving plays � the Pistons are back to being an elite ball-club. They see his prowess on both ends of the court. The pressure is taken from the lesser likes and GM Sheed breaths a breath of fresh air.

B)     Kyrie Irving doesn�t play � the Pistons rely on Lowry or if not Lowry hope for the best in Free Agency or they see Satoransky in a starting role and change the mindset to being more focused on the twin-towers Adebayo and Gobert.

An obvious hope for the Pistons organisation.

Looking Ahead: 

While some may wish to speculate, I feel as though the Pistons will be just fine. They will manage all outcomes that a presented. I cannot imagine they will go down without a fight, and with the core of Gobert, Bam and Irving no one should ever take them lightly. GM Sheed will likely move his chips and stack them accordingly with all in mind � he has already made plenty of room in the roster to bank assets as we head towards a Free Agency period. The Pistons will be back up top in the next season.

Projected Starting Five

PG � Kyle Lowry

SG � Kyrie Irving

SF � Free Agent

PF � Edrice Adebayo

C � Rudy Gobert