Previewing the Bucks Division: Who Will Finish Last?

All is quiet in the NBA at the moment. In near record time, the NBA’s most coveted free agents have decided where they will play basketball next season.

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Things, however, have been far from quiet for the Milwaukee Bucks. From re-signing guard Khris Middleton to landing coveted big man Greg Monroe, the Bucks have laid their claim to being one of the NBA’s most proactive teams this off-season.

The Bucks face an uphill battle in arguably the toughest division in the NBA. All of the teams they’re competing against have either improved via free agency (See Monta Ellis and the Indiana Pacers), or kept their core in-tact (See Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls). This presents a complex challenge for a young and growing team.

But where does this leave the Bucks in the Central Division?

In the first iteration of this series previewing the Central Division, we take a look at the team who will finish in the Central Division basement: The Detroit Pistons.

Detroit used to be a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference, but they’ve come across hard times in recent years. Their road back to relevance, however, may not be far away.

While the rest of the Division made substantial moves, the Detroit Pistons went for more low key acquisitions.

Their most notable move of the off-season was re-signing point guard Reggie Jackson for a near max-contract. The Pistons also traded for stretch forward, and former sector seven favorite, Ersan Ilyasova just days before free agency began and drafted highly regarded swingman Stanley Johnson.

These moves will likely improve an already promising squad.

Ilyasova provides floor spacing, something that should help the talented, but offensively challenged Andre Drummond. The Monroe-Drummond pairing ultimately failed due to the fact that Monroe liked to occupy the same spots on the floor as Drummond, with both thriving around the basket.

Apr 12, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) takes a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Hornets 116-77. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

By bringing in Ilyasova, the Pistons get a power forward with an effective jump-shooting game both from the mid-range and from three. This will aid Drummond by giving him more space to work with and more abundant opportunities to clean the offensive glass. It also gives the Pistons a unique threat on the break, allowing Drummond to drive to the basket while Ilyasova sits at the three point line.

Ilyasova, however, has struggled to be consistent from three, losing his shot for significant stretches of games throughout his career. For whatever upside Ilyasova provides, his inconsistency can make him nearly unplayable at times, especially when added with his sub-par defense.

Coach Stan Van Gundy was able to maximize the value of having a stretch four in Orlando with Dwight Howard and Ryan Anderson. Ilyasova could provide the Pistons with similar success.

Reggie Jackson also provides the Pistons with hope. After being traded to Detroit mid-season, Jackson showed flashes of being their point guard of the future, averaging 17.6 points and 9.2 assists per game in his 27 games as their starter, a major improvement over his time in Oklahoma City.

Season	Age	Tm	G	MP	FGA	FG%	3PA	3P%	eFG%	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PTS
2013-14	23	OKC	80	28.5	11.5	.440	3.1	.339	.485	2.2	.893	3.9	4.1	1.1	0.1	2.1	13.1
2014-15	24	TOT	77	29.5	12.9	.434	3.1	.299	.470	2.8	.830	4.2	6.0	0.8	0.1	2.4	14.5
2014-15	24	OKC	50	28.0	11.5	.432	3.2	.278	.470	2.3	.861	4.0	4.3	0.8	0.1	1.8	12.8
2014-15	24	DET	27	32.2	15.6	.436	3.1	.337	.469	3.8	.796	4.7	9.2	0.7	0.1	3.5	17.6
Career			272	22.2	8.8	.432	2.4	.294	.472	1.8	.856	3.2	3.6	0.7	0.1	1.6	9.8

4 seasons		OKC	245	21.1	8.1	.431	2.3	.288	.473	1.6	.872	3.0	3.0	0.7	0.1	1.4	9.0
1 season		DET	27	32.2	15.6	.436	3.1	.337	.469	3.8	.796	4.7	9.2	0.7	0.1	3.5	17.6

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/3/2015.

In order for the Pistons to improve next season, Jackson will need to show that his success was not a fluke and work on his sub-par shot from three. He’s shown flashes of being a very good player. Now it’s time for him to take that next step.

The key to the Pistons season, however, will ultimately rest with their young cornerstones.

Stanley Johnson will give the team its most effective wing since Tayshaun Prince, providing both floor spacing and effective defense at the small forward position.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will also need to take the next step in his development. Caldwell-Pope made a nice leap last season from role player to starter. However, if the Pistons are to contend for a playoff spot this season, he will need to move into the next tier of guards. A season similar to what Victor Oladipo had last year would be seen as a significant step forward.

Andre Drummond will also need to improve this upcoming season. He’s already an effective rim protector, interior defender, and elite rebounder. For the Pistons to take the next step, Drummond will need to get closer to Dwight Howard’s production in Orlando if they are to seriously contend for a title.

Season	Age	Tm	GS	MP	FGA	FG%	eFG%	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PTS
2007-08 ★	22	ORL	82	37.7	11.9	.599	.599	10.9	.590	3.4	10.8	14.2	1.3	0.9	2.1	3.2	20.7
2008-09 ★	23	ORL	79	35.7	12.4	.572	.572	10.7	.594	4.3	9.6	13.8	1.4	1.0	2.9	3.0	20.6
Career			808	35.6	11.2	.579	.580	9.1	.573	3.5	9.2	12.7	1.5	1.0	2.1	3.1	18.1
8 seasons		ORL	620	36.2	11.3	.577	.577	9.2	.588	3.6	9.3	13.0	1.5	1.0	2.2	3.1	18.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/3/2015.

The biggest hindrance to the squad, however, is their lack of depth beyond the starting five. Steve Blake and Jodie Meeks are nice, respectable bench options for Coach Van Gundy to choose from. But, the team has no depth in its front court. This will make things very difficult on the team as the season progresses.

The Pistons will be inferior to the Bucks this coming season. On paper, their only potential position of strength relative to Milwaukee is center, where Drummond can cause problems for Greg Monroe on both ends of the floor.

The season series between these two teams may very well rest on the shoulders of these two men.

The Pistons may also be stronger at point guard. Michael Carter-Williams is sure to make things difficult for Jackson on the defensive end. However, Jackson is the superior scoring guard and shows the potential to be just as good of a distributor as Carter-Williams.

Outside of these battles, the Bucks are much stronger. Giannis Antetokounmpo will cause major problems for the Pistons forwards, regardless of whether he plays at the 3 or the 4. Khris Middleton is also a much better player than Caldwell-Pope and is likely what the Pistons are hoping Stanley Johnson will become.

Nov 28, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) gets the ball deflected away by Milwaukee Bucks guard Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Bucks win 104-88. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

When Jabari Parker comes back, he’s sure to be a nightmare match-up for the Pistons front-court. He can score in bunches, something that no one on Detroit can do.

The Pistons may be forced to go smaller when he plays. Otherwise, they face the prospect of watching Ilyasova guard Parker, something that Bucks fans will surely savior.

The Bucks bench is also stronger than the Pistons as they possess depth at nearly every position. John Henson will solidify the second unit defense, while Greivis Vasquez, O.J. Mayo, and others provide the offense.

Steve Blake and Jodie Meeks can put up similar production on offense as Mayo and Vasquez. However, the rest of the Pistons bench is vastly inferior, especially if the likes of Damien Inglis and Rashad Vaughn emerge as legitimate options.

The future is getting brighter in Detroit, but they aren’t good enough to make the playoffs just yet.

Prediction: Record 36-46 (5th in Central Division).

Make sure to check back next week as we continue to break down the teams in the Central Division!

Next: Who Will Be Mr. Clutch For The Milwaukee Bucks?

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