So how will the Pistons look this season. And more importantly, will this be the season when they get back to their winning ways?
3rd-year coach Terrance Hyde better hope so, or else surely his a** will be on the hot seat.
Starting lineup
Hugo Besson - An undrafted FA on a minimum contract, frenchman Hugo Besson has been tapped as the opening day starting Point Guard for the Pistons. Is this a result of the Front Office's failure to secure a PG this offseason, or has Besson earned a shot at the job?
Mojave King - After a stellar preseason, Coach Hyde has decided to promote sophomore Mojave King into the starting lineup. King beat out veterans Kevin Porter and Duane Notice because of the expected scoring punch he can provide. Is he up for the challenge?
Corey Kispert - The Gonzaga gunmen galvanized the league last season with his deadly long-range shooting. This year, he's in the starting 5 with the hopes that his floor-spacing volume is high enough to force defenses to adjust. How many threes can Kispert hit this season? Over under 350?
Xavier Tillman - The primary beneficiary of Kispert's floor-spacing will likely be the newly acquired Tillman. Tillman jerseys are already flying off the shelves as fans are excited to see a local Michigan man in action in the Blue & Red. Will Tillman bring Detroit back to glory?
James Wiseman - Wiseman will once again be the beating heart of this Pistons team. But how will he share a frontcourt with Tillman, especially after several seasons of sitting alone down there?
Bench contributors
Isaiah Stewart - Beef Stew just earned his well-deserved paycheck. A no-nonsense hustle player, Stewart is a fan favorite and a coach's favorite too as he can fill in anywhere in the frontcourt.
Vit Krejci - The 3rd-year Czech utility weapon has been recast as a SF for the upcoming season. The jack-of-all-trades master-of-none filled in admirably at Point Guard last season. This season, the plan is to maximize his dynamic skillset on the wing, where he can clamp opposing scorers and facitiliate offense for guys like King, Kispert, and Tillman. Oh, and he's wearing #47 now in honor of his favorite player, the great Mr. Kirilenko. Coincidence?
Kevin Porter - KP just signed a massive contract and lost his starting spot. Is this a disaster in the making? Coach Hyde doesn't think so, suggesting that KP provides a level of consistency, hustle, and veteran leadership that is instrumental. Will that be enough to take back the starting job from Mojave King?
Duane Notice - Notice is perhaps one of the more underrated players in the CSL. He has a surprisingly efficient and aggressive nose for the basket, which, when combined with his above average defense, make him a regular in the net positive section. Will that be enough to keep him in contention for a starting spot?
Jaden McDaniels - Jaden McDaniels is poised to be one of the main beneficiaries of the recent departure of Jalen Johnson. J-Mac is a versatile swiss army knife who can do anything, especially on the defensive side of the glass. However, he had a down season last year. Can he get things back on track?
3rd string guys
Zhaire Smith
David Michineau
Isaiah Hartenstein
Elie Okobo
This group will all be deking it out to try to earn rotation minutes. It's a solid group of veterans, including two more french PGs (hey, are you suggesting that just because I watched a Youtube series on Napoleon's Marshalls, I think that French people are naturally gifted at running things? Ludicrous).
Overall, this Pistons team is pretty similar to last season's disappointing 23-59 campaign. However, perhaps another year of player development and a slightly more healthy roster balance could be enough to right the ship and bring the Pistons back into the playoffs where the proud franchise used to feature regularly.
2020, 2023, 2027, 2035
