How The Bucks Compare: An Early Eastern Conference Primer

Nov 25, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against Detroit Pistons center

(0) during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Pistons

Last Season: 32-50 (12th)

Player Additions: Ersan Ilyasova, Marcus Morris, Aron Baynes, Danny Granger Steve Blake, Reggie Bullock, Stanley Johnson, Darrun Hilliard, Adonis Thomas

Player Subtractions: Greg Monroe, Tayshaun Prince, John Lucas, Quincy Miller, Caron Butler, Shawne Williams

2015-16 Outlook

The Pistons are in the developing stage still, but this summer was definitely one in which the team’s rebuilding process quickly accelerated. They initiated change last year, but this was the summer where the new regime and coaching staff started to shape the roster in a way that they see as ideal.

After the Pistons made a move for Reggie Jackson at last year’s trade deadline, top priority for this summer had to be to come to terms with Jackson on a long-term deal, and the team did that with little trouble with their restricted free agent point guard.

Then, as Bucks fans will already know all too well, Detroit made a deal with Milwaukee to acquire Ersan Ilyasova, the sort of stretch four that Stan Van Gundy loves.

From there things get really interesting though, as Detroit has added a whole host of players. Young, or experienced, with a range of diverse skills and abilities, the newest members of the Pistons give the team the flexibility to move in a variety of directions.

Players like Marcus Morris, Reggie Bullock, and top ten draft pick Stanley Johnson are all precocious in their own way, and the Pistons will now have the chance to shape them how they see fit.

Right now, Detroit has 18 players on their roster meaning that there are big decisions to be made before the end of training camp, but one thing that’s certain is that the Pistons will be a very different and much improved team this year.

How The Bucks Compare

There’s something about the Pistons that reminds me a little of last year’s Bucks, and it’s not only the presence of Ersan Ilyasova.

It’s more about what Ilyasova represents. The Pistons have some great young talent, although it may not be at the same level as Milwaukee’s, but as Stan Van Gundy tries to move the team in a direction of his choosing, some players who may not seem remarkable may be important in kick-starting progression.

Ersan, along with Danny Granger and Joel Anthony could fill the type of veteran roles that pulls teams to a higher level than the sum of their parts. The Bucks should be comfortably better than the Pistons this year, but Detroit could still come out and cause some major upsets over the next few months.

Next: Moving At A New Pace