3 reasons why the Pistons are off to a better start in 20 games

MEMPHIS — Through 20 games, Detroit Pistons 8-12 in total.

A .400 record isn’t cause for celebration, but it is cause for some relief after last season’s 3-29 start. At their current pace they will win 33 games; this would be their highest total since 41 wins in 2018-19.

Wednesday’s 20-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies aside.There was measurable growth over the first four seasons of the season. Here are three key reasons behind their encouraging start.

Defense improved significantly

Entering 131-11 loss at Memphis on WednesdayThe Pistons ranked 12th with a defensive rating of 111.9, tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is the area where the team has shown the most significant improvement, a significant increase from last season’s 118 points in 25th place.

Defense, which has long been the team’s weak point, has now become a strong strength. JB Bickerstaff was previously a top 10 defenseman with the Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers, and his impact in Detroit was immediate. The team is organized and engaged on this end of the field; Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart have each been tone-setters.

Bickerstaff said the team is working on defense every day in an effort to continue its promising start.

“They’ve embraced it schematically,” Bickerstaff said of his players last week. “I think it’s pretty clear to them what they need to do and where they need to be on the field.

“I think they’ve bought into that mentality. We keep talking to them and they’ve bought into the idea of playing in the mud. We move you to half court. We drag you into the mud and see how much fun you have.” This is our mentality. We think we can be successful in this position.

Young actors find roles

Jaden Ivey’s win against the Toronto Raptors On Monday, he highlighted his improved play in Year 3. It’s been a career season so far for Ivey; He reached career-high averages in points (18.4), field goal percentage (44.7%) and three-point percentage (37.2%).

He was listed as the second option behind Cunningham, who missed his second consecutive game on Wednesday. Ivey also paced the Pistons with eight assists against three turnovers. He took on challenging tasks defensively. Arguably no Pistons player has improved more than him so far.

“She was outstanding starting the game and throughout all of her minutes,” Bickerstaff said after Ivey had eight assists and 25 points on Monday. “He sets the tone, he attacks when he needs to be aggressive.

“I thought she did an incredible job tonight, playing all over the floor. Making sure her teammates were involved, organizing us. From a point guard standpoint, that was a huge step for (Ivey) tonight.”

Beyond Ivey, Stewart has given the team a defensive identity. He has impressed in this part of the pitch almost every time he has taken control this season and has thrived after moving from tall forward back to centre.

Cunningham also made a noticeable leap defensively and was vocal about organizing his teammates while on the field. And while Jalen Duren continues to be one of the league’s best rebounders, he’s also occasionally improved defensively.

Veteran players Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. He made a convincing contribution to the team on outside shooting and needed guidance in the locker room. They deserve credit, but the Pistons have eight wins because their young players are trying to figure out how to impact winning.

growth area

Outside shooting, an annual offseason priority, is another area where the Pistons routinely fall short. They ranked in the bottom nine in 3-point percentage the previous four seasons. So far they haven’t shown much growth compared to last season.

The Pistons were in 18th place with a 34.9% margin over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. They finished last season in 26th place with 34.8%. They finished the 2022-23 season in 22nd place with 35.1%.

Newcomers Hardaway and Beasley did their part, knocking down 38.9% and 37.8% of their 3-pointers, respectively. Harris has collapsed, hitting 31.7% of her looks so far. Simone Fontecchio also had a slow start, making 33.9% of his 3-pointers.

They are among the Pistons’ top six players in terms of attempts per game, with Cunningham (35.8%) and Ivey (37.2%) completing the list. The Pistons have talented, reliable shooters but lack the elite spacing that deeper teams have enjoyed this season. A positive regression from Harris and Fontecchio will help things.

Overall, the offense has performed slightly better so far than in recent seasons. Their offensive rating (110.6) is a notable increase from last season’s 109 rating. They still struggled with turnovers and were able to make more three-pointers, but they did enough offensively to win.

If they turn another corner this season, it will be because they start shooting more threes.

( MUST WATCH: To do “Pulse of Pistons” where you will go Detroit Pistons podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) or watch live/on-demand YouTube. )

Contact Omari Sankofa II: [email protected]. Follow him on X @omarisankofa.

Defense improved significantly

Young actors find roles

growth area

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