The Pistons are trying to build a team that could epitomize both the “Bad Boys” teams of the ’80s and ’90s, as well as the “Goin’ to Work” Pistons of the 2000s, according to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III. Defense is the key to doing so and, through two games, Detroit’s defense is forming its identity.
The Pistons held the Heat to 103 points in a narrow one-point loss on Wednesday and limited the Hornets to 99 points on Friday, one year after the league-wide scoring average was 114 points per game. Still, there’s plenty to clean up, Edwards writes, as the Pistons have committed 39 turnovers in two games.
“When you have those kinds of turnover numbers and fouls, you have to do something to offset it,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said. “It was the defense tonight. I mean, (the Hornets) shot 37 percent from the field. You don’t see that much in an NBA game. I thought our physicality had a lot to do with it, guarding the ball had a lot to do with it.”
The Pistons have one of the youngest rosters in the league and the oldest player in the starting lineup is 22. Still, they’re buying into the system Williams is setting in place, according to Edwards.
“I credit the guys we have, we understand the game more, but Monty coming in, putting in a system that we can follow easily, and the standard he’s set on the defensive end,” center Jalen Duren said. “Everyone is buying into it. We’ve got guys taking that end very seriously. When everyone is buying into that side of the basketball, this is the outcome.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- Pacers coach Rick Carlisle signed a contract extension with the team on Thursday and he’s looking forward to be around the team for the long haul, Dustin Dopirak of IndyStar writes. “I’m excited to continue the challenge here,” Carlisle said. “It’s really not a day to celebrate. It’s a day to be reminded of the daunting responsibility that me and my staff have to continue to develop this group. We’ve done some pretty good things as an organization the last couple of years and we have to keep pushing forward.“
- The Pacers are deep at the guard positions, leading Carlisle to make some difficult rotation decisions, including leaving T.J. McConnell out of the 10-man rotation, Dopirak details in a separate piece. “It was obviously a tough conversation as a competitor,” McConnell said. “But I’m just here to do my job. Whatever he thinks is best for the team, he’s got to do. I just have to stay ready.“
- The Bulls could benefit from exploring a swap involving Zach LaVine and James Harden, Scoop Jackson of the Chicago Sun-Times opines. Chicago is 1-1 after an overtime victory over the Raptors on Friday, which came on the heels of a players-only meeting on Wednesday.
Trade Wiseman,Bagley, Hayes and Bojan for a young SG/SF prospect and backup center. Or to Atlanta for OO ,Griffin, W Mathews, Mills and Brogdon
Atlanta trades a 1st*
Pistons have PG SG and SF set with Cade Ivey and Thompson, they have have multiple back up centres in Bagley Stewart and Wiseman.
I think they need to add shooting, obviously they have Bojan, Burks and Harris but those three aren’t actually in the young core they are building around.
Would love to see Patrick Williams out of Chicago and on a young team that has some kind of direction about it. He’s a solid defender and solid outside shooter although not on much volume.
As seen today Ivey was dropped to the bench would be surprised if they tried to turn him into that sixth man spark plug kinda player. In which case have Ausar as your SG and get a guy like Pat Will in as another forward in your rotation.
I think Bojan would remain the starter but Pat would be a really solid back up
Chicago can have Marvin Bagley, think he’d actually do well over there. More of a physical presence and fills up the stats more.
9 man rotation
Cade Ausar Bojan Stewart Duren
Morris Ivey Pat Will Wiseman
I think Ivey would be a good 6th man and Thompson playing SG. Find a great young SF or if Thompson playing SF then find another young SG. They also need to find another young PF.
39 turnovers wow
Duren tonight ——
33 mins, 23 pts, 15 reb, 5 ast, 2 blk, 1 tov
9-11 FG, 5-5 FT
I said he was the best center in the draft. Knicks are fools to pass on him. Future all-star. Will be 20yrs old on Nov 18.
For sure! The Knicks gave up a first round pick plus 4 seconds to move up in the draft just to turn around and package the pick with Kemba Walker for Milwaukee’s first round pick in 2025? It makes no sense. They wanted to clear salary for Brunson though. I would rather have Duren!
LaVine and Harden in a trade proposal ?????
These geniuses actually get paid to print this. Toilet paper lols.
DeM DeR >>>> to Knicks ……..
Both teams need it.
If the Pistons can maintain a defensive first identity, then they’ll be well on their way to finding sustainable success.
Much easier said than done though.
In other news, the Bulls are an absolute mess. Patrick Williams has started off the season looking completely lost offensively and just can’t buy a bucket.
I’ve been a Bulls fan for about 30 years, and I’m really struggling staying committed. It is a horrible feeling, but I’m just so tired with their lack of ingenuity, their lack of a plan, and the overall lack of any hope for their future.