NYLion

You definitely err on the pessimistic side but when you're going into a playoff run with old Tobias Harris as your #2 option that's a huge problem. Hell, even prime Tobias wasn't a #2 option on a contender so there's reason for pessimism. I actually think Jenkins can be a viable backup PG because he knows how to play the position unlike Ivey for instance, it's the starting lineup that's the bigger issue. There's something about Detroit GMs where they have a fetish for team culture and locker room harmony which they think can lead a team to a championship but you need the horses to withstand the rigors of a playoff run and the Pistons quite simply don't. Tbh, if they play Charlotte for example in the 1st round they could very well lose that game. The Hornets don't play much defense generally but they have at least 3 offensive options better than the Pistons #2 and I'd argue that Bridges is better than Harris.

Good win against a team but, again, you can see the absolute grind it is for the Pistons in the clutch because they have Cade who isn't really a regular take over guy (like Murray for example) and nobody else who can get you a bucket reliably. This is going to be big problem in the playoffs.

Weird trade, it doesn't make the Pistons better now and they lose on upside. It doesn't look like Ivey is the same player after the injury but he could easily bounce back next season with more time distanced from the injury. With that said, they weren't paying Ivey after this season so I guess they wanted to get SOMETHING for him but this barely qualifies. If you had told me early last season that the Pistons traded Ivey for Huerter and inconsequential stuff I would have said you're crazy but that injury changed everything unfortunately. I actually liked Huerter quite a bit about 4 years ago but that's ancient history now. If this is Langdon's big move then that's a big yikes.

I'm with you on that. I feel a sharpshooter at his size on this roster would make a huge difference. The question is cost, I can't see him coming cheap so what would you be willing to give up? Holland+two or three 1sts+Levert/Harris? If they give up that much MPJ has to be more than a two year fix so they'll likely have to max contract him after that so it's tricky. This is why I'd go all out for Trey Murphy, not only because I feel he's a better two way player than MPJ but also because his contract is a big selling point. Ultimately I don't see Langdon making a big deal like this but I think this is the type of year they should go for it. 36-12 seasons are rare and the east will likely never be this weak again plus this is probably the last year in a long time that the Pistons will have cap flexibility so now is a good time to strike. What do you think of a smaller deal for somebody like Portis to fit into the exception? He can really shoot and has the personality that would really fit on this team. Not much defense I don't think but he'd satisfy the shooting quota.

Are you a fan of bringing in MPJ? Do you have any concerns about his lack of defense and inflated stats on a bad team? Personally, I'm for it as long as the price isn't too crazy. His shooting and overall scoring would be a seamless fit on this team and I think this is one of the few teams that can hide his defensive deficiencies. Trey Murphy would be my #1 target. I'd trade four 1sts+ for him without hesitation but I doubt he's available mainly because he has such a nice team friendly contract for 3 years after this one.

It's a mistake for a couple of reasons. He's not good enough to be a starting 4 anymore and they lose the ability to absorb his expiring contract into next years' cap space if they don't trade him. I suppose they can re-sign him anyway but I'm kind of meh on that tbh. I've said this before but this isn't a championship caliber team. No team with Robinson and Harris in a starting lineup not to mention a non-factor offensively in Ausar is serious about winning a Championship. The Pistons are deep and they play very good defense but they can't shoot, their starters just don't stack up well against other contenders and they don't have a #2 option, a legit #2 scorer and/or shot creator. This season has been a great story and a fun ride but I see playoff struggles ahead for this roster with all their flaws.

I don't think so but it might start to get warm which seems crazy considering they were 15-2 just last year but two missed playoffs with all this talent and two botched OC hires would probably make things uneasy in Allen Park.

I didn't care much for the McDaniel hype, very mediocre results with a claim to fame being a Shanahan disciple, but this hire is very underwhelming. With that said, will just have to trust Dan on this one. He's been 1 for 3 so far with his OC hires so....not great. We'll see

That doesn't mean anything. The NFL landscape is littered with successful offense first coaches that were failures as NFL players. Not saying that Orlovsky would be my first choice but him being a bad QB doesn't mean he'd be a bad coordinator. He's not leaving that cushy TV gig anyway that pays extraordinarily well.

Agreed with all of this although with Ivey I think we need to give it more time. He's still clearly hampered by the injury and has done a solid job scoring efficiently despite in limited minutes. Agreed though that Jenkins should be lead PG of the bench, I have a good feeling about him, he knows how to run a team and has scoring ability. Green is an interesting guy. I wish he was a few years younger but he's a guy I'd love to keep around for another few years if possible, he makes a positive contribution every time he comes in and he's a perfect fit for this culture with that dawg mentality. He and Holland are menaces off the bench and, along with Jenkins and Stew, are the driving forces behind arguably the best bench unit in the league.

The Pistons are loaded at guard and Jenkins has done nothing but play well. Small sample size and all but Jenkins looks like he has the makings of a good player. Lanier has shown some flashes as well but he's like the 13th/14th guy on this roster when healthy so I don't see any issues there. The Pistons depth is tremendous, I don't see how even the biggest skeptics would think any differently, my biggest concern is that Cade is a legit star then there's a huge drop off to the #2 guy. I don't see the Pistons having a guy to pick up Cade in clutch situations when games grind to half court basketball in playoff intense games, it's something they struggled with in the Knicks series when they lost just about every 4th quarter and it's something that still hasn't been addressed. Maybe they're hoping Ivey is that guy eventually but he's certainly not there yet. All Championship teams have that guy, Brown on the Celtics, Murray, Jalen Williams, AD, Klay and KD etc. The old Pistons had Dumars and Rip. I don't see that guy on the Pistons now. Other than that concern, this is a really good team that should be taken seriously but are they a championship contender? I'm not sure I'm ready to pull the trigger on that right now but it's a really good team. People wanted to see them measure up against good teams, you included, and what they've done is crush the Lakers and Knicks and mostly handle the Cavs before they made a late run to make it closer than the score indicated. Are you ready to admit that they're good?

That was a big win. Cleveland has been a nightmare matchup for the Pistons for years. I won't harp on JB's rotations too much but I don't get taking Ausar out when you're up double digits late and just need to shut it down. Take him when you're down and need offense not up, confusing decision

The Lions could have easily won the division this season if it wasn't for some poor coaching at inopportune times or just plain shooting themselves in the foot. Hire a real offensive coordinator, add some offensive line pieces, get LaPorta healthy and I think this team is rolling again next season but the coaches have to be better.

I think you're wrong on this and letting your natural pessimistic side take over your opinion here. Anytime you have a team, this deep into the season, that's near the top of the league the opposition is going to bring their A game. I don't think any teams are taking the Pistons lightly anymore. I don't think what happened in past years has any bearing on how opponents approach a game against a team in the here and now and in the here and now, the Pistons are one of the best teams in the league at least based on record.

Him putting Schroder on Brunson while Ausar was riding the bench only to see a 7 point lead late in the 4th immediately evaporate was a real sign that JB is not a good in game coach. Great motivator but lacks with the X's and O's. Sound Familiar? Cough Dwayne Casey Cough

I've said this a million times and it'll probably go on my tombstone. I will never understand the love JB has for Levert until the day I die and even afterwards.

I still think this roster is one of the most talented in the NFL but some philosophies need to change if the Lions are to take the next step. Dan has to hire real coordinators, not this old retread stuff like with Morton and Lynn with his first mistake guys that weren't even successful at their previous stops, and they should bring in a vet to help Shep because he was clearly in over his head this season. I think the biggest issues with the player personnel is the interior of both lines. I think the one year of experience will remedy this somewhat on the offensive line and Alim being fully healthy (he's not even close now) will help on the D line, but more is needed. Need a center to replace Glasgow (maybe Frazier fills the role) and Alim needs help on the inside. The safeties are also an issue, who knows what's going on with Kerby and Branch won't be back to being Branch until '27-'28 if ever again. The team at its core still has big bounce back potential but some serious questions also need to be answered.

I didn't see them missing the playoffs but I did predict 10-7 or 11-6 and a struggle to make the playoffs because of many factors, losing the continuity with both coordinators, losing vital pieces of the offensive line and replace them with young guys, Hutch and Alim likely not being the same after injury and a harder schedule so I'm not shocked that this happened. What I didn't see was their lack of execution in key moments by guys that are usually reliable, Amon-Ra made a ton of critical errors this season for instance. Either way, the Lions either take this as a learning experience and springboard to better things going forward or maybe this is what they are now. I do know that Holmes and Campbell have had some arrogance to them Brad in particular that was becoming a little off putting so hopefully this humbles them a bit and they get back to work.

Meh, the Lions deserved to lose. They got badly outplayed and aren't good enough anyway. The call on Teslaa one can argue was a bit ticky tacky but not really that egregious, the Lions lost and the season is over because of the Lions not because of the refs.

The Lions were never interested in playing this game while the Steelers clearly were.

There's only a few high end guys not playing, the safeties and LaPorta. The Lions just suck this season, injuries aren't an excuse.

The change of coordinators, the changes on the offensive line, their two best defensive players recovering from very serious injuries and of course the rash of injuries that they suffer annually. This was a season that never felt right

He didn't complete the process of the catch until he was on the ground then was untouched after that.

The ref who called incomplete is a moron, it was clearly a catch.

I gotta say it, this season has been very SOL. It was a nice 2 year reprieve but hello darkness again old friend