Eastern Conference Playoffs: Where Do The Bucks Fit In?

Apr 4, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; (From left to right) Detroit Pistons guard

III (9), guard

(1), forward

(43), center

(0), and guard

(5) celebrate after the final buzzer against the Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Heat 99-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

7) Detroit Pistons

Yes, I have the Pistons as better than the Celtics, Raptors and Pacers this season. No, I’m not crazy or on drugs (most of the time).

Most of the reasons I like Detroit so much is two of the six players in that picture–Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond. Drummond has the tools to be a top NBA center one day, and is still developing seeing as he’s only 21. Jackson is young too at 25 years of age, but he’s already a great point guard.

In his last 16 games with the Pistons last season Jackson averaged 20 points, 11 assists and five rebounds per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from three-point territory. That was with few offensive weapons around him aside from Drummond, and his first half-season with the Pistons.

Now he’s going to have promising rookie Stanley Johnson and sharpshooting power forward Ersan Ilyasova surrounding him, meaning he’ll have plenty of weapons to help open up the Detroit offense. This team has rebuilt the right way under president and head coach Stan Van Gundy, and will be even better in the years to come.

Next: The Sixth Seed