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NBA Predictions: 2014 Detroit Pistons Season Betting Preview

Pistons NBA Picks

The Pistons have talent but they are ushering in a new era under Stan Van Gundy as they were not getting the production they want on the court in terms of wins and losses.

This is a young team and perhaps under new guidance it all comes together. Van Gundy is a proven commodity and should be able to this group to improve.

If he can’t they will start breaking these guys up.

Detroit Pistons
Eastern Conference
2013/14 Record:  29-53
Odds to win title:  300/1
Odds to win conference:  125/1 
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Key Losses

Rodney Stuckey – He was a consistent source of offense for the Pistons last season but since he is not a very good shooter it was easy to wave good bye to him this offseason. His aggressive nature might be missed.

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Will Bynum – Though crafty with the ball at time the Pistons were wise to let him go. He is a short, offense first point who never developed his jump shot to NBA standards. See above but smaller and a greater defensive liability.

Chauncey Billups – A veteran presence who just can’t get it done anymore. I think the hope was that he could help tame Brandon Jennings a bit but he has to be able to cut it physically too. He can’t anymore.

Top Newcomers

D.J. Augustin – As the Pistons look to get more from their backcourt they picked up D.J. Augustin who revitalized his career with Chicago last season. He can score and is a better shooter than the guys they let leave

Spencer Dinwiddie – The rookie is an interesting prospect. He missed most of last season but showed a lot of promise as a big point guard.

If he is ready to go they might have a new starting backcourt with him and Augustin, who has never been a pass first guy.

Jodie Meeks – He is a guy who knows his role, which is to make shots. He works for them and proved last year that when he is fed regularly he can be a nice weapon. If the inside players are on their game he will help create space.

Top Players

Greg Monroe – Quite simply Monroe is one of the more gifted young post players in the league. He can score and pass and rebound and if he shot just a little better he could be elite. He has established a level of good so the question is whether he can go from good to great.

Andre Drummond – Drummond doesn’t have the versatility to his game of Monroe but is among the best rebounders in the league after just two seasons.

He knows his limitations and is tracking like DeAndre Jordan, but maybe faster. If he learns to make his free throws it will help the club immensely.

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Brandon Jennings – I am not a fan but he is productive. Last year he put up his best assist totals since entering the league but his shooting is worrisome.

He didn’t even have a 40% FG rate and take too many threes.

Strengths

The strength of this team is the frontcourt where there is nice size and youth that means they can take the ball of the backcourt and get going with ease.

Adding Josh Smith last season was an interesting choice because he does not have a the traditional skill set of a 3 and I wonder if he might better served in a 6th man role because he disrupts the flow offensively.

Despite that it is hard to dispute their talent up front.

Weaknesses

Conversely the backcourt still needs to prove itself.

There is a reason teams have waved good bye to Augustin and even though I like Dinwiddie he is not a proven NBA commodity. Jennings is but that is a glass that is half full or half empty depending on who you ask.

Shooting it going to be the key to this team radically outperforming and it probably still isn’t there.

4* Free NBA Prediction:  3rd in Central Division

I have to admit I was burned often by the Pistons.

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There were many a game where I thought their talent up front would dominate, and sometimes it did, but the losses just kept coming. With some few faces, especially on the sidelines I think there can be some growth this season.

I think Detroit is one of those teams you definitely don’t want to face on a back to back. Their length and ability to rebound challenge tired legs so look for them to take advantage when other teams are not rested.

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By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.