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Detroit Pistons’ December Performance: Fool’s Gold or Real Progress?
Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (00) dribbles up court in the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
| Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons wrapped up December with a 5-5 record, including an impressive 3-1 Western road trip. But the question remains: Was this a sign of real progress or just fool’s gold?
Looking at the numbers, there’s reason for both optimism and concern. In November, the Pistons boasted a top-12 defense but struggled offensively. December saw a complete flip, with the offense surging to 12th in the NBA while the defense plummeted to 28th.
This offensive improvement is encouraging. Cade Cunningham won Player of the Week honors, and Jaden Ivey has looked sharp since returning from injury. The team’s spacing and shooting investments are finally paying dividends.
However, the defensive regression is alarming. A bottom-three defense isn’t sustainable for a team aiming for .500 basketball. The challenge now is finding a balance between offensive firepower and defensive competence.
Potential Solutions
One option is to start Ausar Thompson in place of Tim Hardaway Jr. to boost defense without sacrificing too much offense. Another possibility is inserting Isaiah Stewart into the starting lineup over Jalen Duren. These tweaks might help level the team’s performance on both ends of the floor.
Recognizing that the Pistons should be proud of their December showing, especially the road trip success is crucial. However, as the saying goes, “Never accept things in wins that you wouldn’t accept in a loss.” The team must address its defensive issues to build sustainable success.
The coming weeks will be telling as head coach J.B. Bickerstaff attempts to find that elusive balance. It’s possible that with the current roster, leaning heavily into offense might be the best path forward this season.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pistons’ December performance, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
• Should the Pistons pursue a trade for Cam Johnson?
• Malik Beasley’s impressive impact on the team’s performance
The NBA’s next generation of stars is already here
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and guard Isaiah Joe (11) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. | Kirby Lee/Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Here’s something that will read like a riddle: When do you know the future has arrived?
Fitting, on the eve of a new year, to have one foot in the future and one eye still cast over the shoulder, looking back at the past. I value New Year’s Eve for this liminal space it lends, the opportunity to pause and consider the year that was and the one to come without a sense yet of its pressures. In-between spaces like this are rare in life, and if or when you find them, are nice not to rush out of.
Basketball has its liminal spaces too, though they’re a bit more rare. The time right after the Draft, when the next season’s rookies-to-be have their teams but no hulking expectations. The brief stretch between the regular season and the playoffs is another — the brackets set, but no competition commenced. It’s easier to tell in these situations when the future arrives, when the liminal space shuts.
But back to the riddle. Under the surface of this season’s NBA discourse, there’s been a persistent hum. With the inevitable aging of the game’s superstars comes the question of who’s next?
What confuses me is that I’ve mainly seen it asked in worry and incredulity, the implication being that there’s no one obvious, or ready, to fill those well-worn shoes. All it takes is a cursory glance at the season’s standings, now firmly set as we shift past the quarter mark, to see that the future is here — and it’s been humming for a while now.
The top four teams in the East and West all boast talent, skill, and star-power. Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant, Donovan Mitchell and Karl-Anthony Towns are the most established in terms of their fan familiarity, but Darius Garland, Paolo Banchero, Jalen Williams, and Jalen Green are already on their way to being as regularly recited — and that’s really it.
When the skill and flare of an NBA athlete proves to have staying power, to dazzle consistently, the rest comes down to name recognition, which comes through repetition.
We’ve been saying the same big names for a long time now. LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo — their names conjure stats and highlight reels in our heads.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
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Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Roundup: Morant’s Injury, Waiver Wire Trends, and Monday’s Game Recaps
Dec 27, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts after a screen by New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis (10) during the third quarter at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
As we enter the final week of 2024 for fantasy basketball, there’s plenty to discuss. Let’s dive into the latest injury updates, waiver wire trends, and recap Monday’s action.
Ja Morant’s Injury Update
The Memphis Grizzlies received some concerning news about Ja Morant. He’s been diagnosed with a right AC joint sprain in the same shoulder that was reconstructed last season. The team is considering him week-to-week, which typically means a minimum absence of one week, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it stretches to two or three weeks.
The Grizzlies’ injury report is staggering. In addition to Morant, Marcus Smart is out for multiple weeks, Santi Aldama is week-to-week, and several others are sidelined. This situation could lead to increased opportunities for players like Scotty Pippen Jr. and John Konchar.
Waiver Wire Trends
Looking at the most added players over the last 48 hours, Scoot Henderson tops the list. With the Portland Trail Blazers dealing with injuries, Henderson could see increased minutes. However, I’m skeptical about consistent 30-minute outings for him.
Other notable additions include Scottie Pippen Jr., Justin Champagnie, and Keon Johnson. While Pippen seems like a clear add given the Grizzlies’ injury woes, I’m less convinced about Johnson’s role with the Brooklyn Nets.
On the drop list, Larry Nance Jr. leads the pack due to his broken hand. Brandin Podziemski and Royce O’Neale are also seeing significant drops, which aligns with my expectations.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
Detroit Pistons Success Forcing POBO Trajan Langdon To Re-Evaluate Immediate Plan Can the Detroit Pistons maintain their surprising momentum in the NBA? With unexpected success this season, the Pistons are turning heads, and fans are buzzing about their potential playoff run. This episode dives into the Detroit Pistons’ impressive performance, exploring potential trade strategies and the impact of key players like Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris. Discover how veteran players have stepped up in Jaden Ivey’s absence, and why Cunningham is being touted as a future All-Star.
Cade Cunningham’s All-NBA Potential for Detroit Pistons After Defeating New York Knicks Cade Cunningham dazzles as the Detroit Pistons secure a thrilling victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. With Cunningham’s All-NBA level performance, the Pistons are making waves in the basketball world. Can this momentum propel them into a deep playoff run?
Explore how Isaiah Stewart’s defensive prowess and Malik Beasley’s shooting brilliance reshaped the Pistons’ strategy.
Detroit Pistons’ Trade Deadline: Will Cade Cunningham Influence Moves? Can the Detroit Pistons make a splash at the trade deadline? With Cade Cunningham’s standout performances and the team’s unexpected success, the Pistons are poised for strategic moves that could reshape their season. This episode features insights from Hunter Patterson, a beat writer for The Athletic, who shares insider perspectives on the Pistons’ locker room dynamics and the impact of head coach JB Bickerstaff’s unique approach. Discover how the young roster, including players like Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson, is evolving under Bickerstaff’s leadership.
