Andre Drummond plans to make this season as his coming out party.
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The 2015-2016 Projected Roster
Point Guards: Reggie Jackson, Brandon Jennings, Steve Blake, Spencer Dinwiddie
Shooting Guards: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jodie Meeks
Small Forwards: Stanley Johnson, Marcus Morris, Danny Granger, Reggie Bullock
Power Forwards: Ersan Ilyasova, Anthony Tolliver
Centers: Andre Drummond, Aaron Baynes, Joel Anthony
The Optimistic View
The Pistons got the point guard they wanted in Reggie Jackson. They also acquired the stretch 4 that Stan Van Gundy has long coveted in the form of Ersan Ilyasova. They have arguably the "Big Man" who has the potential to be the most dominating force in the NBA in young Andre Drummond. Greg Monroe is no longer with the team, which is good for because he just doesn't fit. Plus they also added versatile rookie Stanley Johnson who, by the way, had a superb summer league last July.
The Realistic Expectations
Stan Van Gundy has now the pieces he needs to bring the Pistons back to respectability. Will it work? Historically speaking, it should. I mean, the team looks like the Dwight Howard led Orlando Magic teams that won many regular season games, went to the playoffs every year and even made it to the Finals once. They have the big man, the point guard, the versatile wing, the stretch 4 and all the dead shot shooters. This is bound to work.
Bottomline
The Pistons will be the surprise team of the Eastern Conference. They will be playoff bound and Andre Drummond will be a perennial All Star. Reggie Jackson might also make it to the All Star team. Stanley Johnson will be as good as advertised. Ersan Ilayasova will find his niche on this team the way Ryan Anderson did with Orlando before.
Bold Predictions
Detroit will surely make it to the playoffs if everything goes according to plan. Worst case scenario for them is that they will be at 6th to 8th or if everything fails, they will miss the playoffs. Best case scenario for them is that they will be at the 4th spot or even the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference.
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