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Watching my daughter's marching band. I'm biased, sure. But this band is really good and a very popular activity for kids to be involved in (140-150 kids out of about 1,000 total high school). And after helping chaperone for a couple of football games and being at the game from that perspective and knowing their summer and daily after school practice schedules (Mon-Thurs including a week of two a days in the summer), it just opened my eyes to all of the work that goes into it.

I wanted to start this 10 days ago, after the first game... But was just a bit busy and didn't take the time. I've been watching the Lions (looking good!), but haven't taken the time to post, just been lurking in here. I want to start a regular season thread because I don't want some good ideas/ themes to get lost in the game threads... and figure this is the better type of thread for all those good ideas to be in one spot... That being said... I caught something in the Game 1 thread that caught my eye... and I wanted to open (reopen) a discussion on that as my first topic. The comments were concerning using our two 1st round picks next year on CB and DL, with a follow-up comment of "just want to get a good LB'er"... or something along those lines. So... Are we ready to revisit the Roquan Smith discussion? Is he still available? At the trade deadline? Should we make a play for him? What would be the cost? I'm thinking this is a legit discussion that should be had... especially if we win a few more games... then Holmes/ Campbell/ etal have to give this some serious thought...

It was a coup.

Here's my preview and my predictions for the Pistons this season. Please post any predictions you have for players, overall record, or even general NBA predictions (or just feel free to poke holes in my predictions). It'll be fun to look back at the end of the season and see how close (or far) we were from the truth. Last Season's Record (with some interesting slices): Overall Record: 23-59, 28% - 3rd worst in NBA Since January 1st: 18-31, 37% After All-Star: 10-14, 42% With Cade since January 1st: 15-24, 39% Without Grant Overall: 12-23, 34% Without Grant since Jan 1st: 11-15, 42% 2022-23 Projected Lineup Projected Starters: Cunningham, Ivey, Bey, Bogdanovic, Stewart Primary Reserves: Hayes, Burks, Livers, Bagley, Noel (slowly giving way to Duren) Situational Players: Diallo, McGruder, Joseph, Knox Notable Departures Jerami Grant: Addition by subtraction. The Pistons had a better record without Grant in the lineup and both Cade and Bey had better numbers and percentages without him as well. Jerami was a solid player, but he was playing above his level, taking a lot of inefficient shots, and rarely engaged defensively or on the boards. Kelly Olynyk: Kelly had one of the worst statistical seasons of his recent career, and one that was plagued with injuries/illnesses. Addition by subtraction here as well. Frank Jackson: A gamble that didn't work out. Frank returned to his norm (31% from three) and proved that his previous season's 40% from 3 was not sustainable, even though he still took the third most threes per game (5.3) on the team. Other than his 2000's era long shorts and his mustache, he won't be missed. Notable Additions Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren: As excited as I am to watch them, we don't know what these kids will bring in their rookie years. The only thing I'll say is that the team addressed a huge need in the offseason by getting what could be the 2 most gifted athletes in the entire draft. Alec Burks: Proven shooter who can score in bunches. Scored nearly 12 ppg last season on 40% from three and also added in 5 rebounds and 3 assists to just 1 turnover. Clear and proven upgrade over Frank Jackson. He'll add some much needed spacing to this team and probably play a lot of 4th quarter minutes for Casey. Nerlens Noel: Veteran shot blocker and paint defender (with terrible hands on offense). He'll play early in the season as Duren gets his feet under him, but I expect his minutes to dwindle due to injury, trade, or simply to make room for Duren as the season progresses. Nice depth piece with veteran experience, solid defense, and verticality. Bojan Bogdanovic: An absolute steal of a trade from Weaver. Underrated player who will slot in next to Bey at the other Forward spot and provides exactly what this team needs on offense - more spacing. He's flown under the radar, but Bojan averaged 18 ppg, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 45.5% FG, 38.7% 3PT, and 60 TS%. He was a dependable 30 mpg starter on a high caliber Western Conference playoff team, and he's done it for years. He'll be a clear offensive upgrade over Grant, with much higher efficiency and provide better spacing. The defense is mediocre, but I've read that he plays hard and is a better defender than most think - either way, we weren't getting much from Grant on D last year either. Using History to Project the 2022-23 Record Since Jan 1, 2022 the Pistons were 37% overall, but they were up to 42% in certain slices (for instance, without Grant). That would put them at 30 to 34 wins if all things remained equal. However, I believe this team got better: -The spacing is better with Bojan and Burks, alongside any 3pt shooting improvements from Cade, Bey, and Stew -The athleticism is much improved with Ivey and Duren -I expect that Cade, Bey, and Stew (and maybe Hayes?) will have continued to improve overall -The big-man situation isn't the train wreck it was for most of last year before they got Bagley But, then again: -They're still super young and historically young teams struggle in the NBA -The East is absolutely brutal this year And Finally, My Prediction... 35-47, 11th in the East: I expect the floor to be 30 wins and the ceiling to be 39, so I went with 35 wins and a 11th place finish in the East over Orlando, Indiana, Charlotte, and Washington. This is about 5 wins higher than what I would have predicted if you asked me before the Bojan trade came in. I expect the Knicks to be around the 40 win mark to get them into the 10th seed play-in game. I don't expect the Pistons to get to 40+ wins and a play-in spot unless Ivey comes out looking like rookie Dwayne Wade and Cade comes out looking like second year Luka (but we can hope).

I don't see any likely scenario where Baez is not the SS next season. Schoop 50/50 to be gone, Cadelario 70/30 to be gone. Cabrera bought out. Minimal starting point for any climb back.

it could be worse, you could be michigan state.

Super jacked to pick this up off of market place. Here in Indiana of all places. Wish I knew what it was made for. I imagine it was a display piece at a liquor store or something. Only branding I see is the Wilson on the football and NFL hologram on jersey and pants. IMG_4194.MOV

This is rich coming from someone thinking that Daz Cameron has a future with the Tigers.

Tork has arrived as a hitter

Tork RBI double! nice insurance run.

Vikings run defense is giving up 5.3 YPC and has given up 274 yards overall. We are averaging 4.6 yards per carry BEFORE contact. This is why I think we can and will win this game. I dropped $100 on the moneyline on this game on Draft Kings. I've never, ever bet on the Lions to win anything. I want the win and my $350 from betting the moneyline and predicting a Lions win.

i think that's the nicest thing you've ever said about aj hinch. 🙂

it sort of weird in the NBA right now - the big men can dominate statistically in the regular season, but the guard/swing dominated teams can run them off the court in the playoffs. Makes "who is better" an 'it depends' question.

nah

casimir, playing out the string. just like the orioles....i mean white sox.

Some banks announced a 75bps raises to their prime rate today. At least 3 of them but I can't remember which ones. JP Morgan was one I think. While checking our savings account rate, I see no change. Such a fucking deal.

Stop with the insulting responses. Really. Stop it

Jon Morosi shares his thoughts on Scott Harris Watch VOD - Bally Sports

I think the Tigers going forward will be a lot more active on the back end of the 40 man roster and on the edges of the roster.

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