2016 NBA Predictions: A look at each team in the league

21 of 32

Oct 17, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) celebrates with forward Reggie Bullock (25) during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit got it done last year and made the playoffs.

Who cares if they made it as the eighth seed? They sure don’t.

Despite winning 44 games, they were within striking distance of every team in the Eastern Conference with the exception of Toronto and Cleveland who separated themselves from the pack.

Just four games between any of those seeds, the Pistons proved that they can be dangerous, even without a star-studded roster.

Andre Drummond is their biggest role player. As long as he controls the flow at the center of the court, the Pistons can function pretty well.

Reggie Jackson has been electric for his team, but there’s still a lot left in the tank — 2016-17 is the perfect place to leave it all on the floor.

Stan Van Gundy’s coaching approach is doing wonders for Detroit, who somehow competes no matter who their opposition is.

Thanks to setbacks for the majority of their division outside of the Cavaliers, expect the Pistons to come out swinging and return to the postseason.

Season Prediction: (46-36), 2nd in Central

Home/LA Sports