The Pistons 2015-2016 Season So Far
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In the 2015-2016 NBA season has been a rollercoaster it only been 13 games the Pistons shown a lot of promise and sometimes they should a lot of young mistakes. The pistons started the season of to a 5-1 start in those games they defeated the Bulls, Hawks, Jazz, Blazers and the Suns the only loss at that that time was to the pacers. Andre Drummond started the season of well breaking records in first 6 games he is averaging 20 points and 20 rebounds 1.8 blocks and 1.8 steals a game. He is showing that he worked on his post-game over the offseason hitting 50% of his hook shots, his free-throw percentage went up to 40%. He became the first player to have 135 points 135 rebounds in the first 7 games of the season, Drummond is definitely becoming one of the best centers in this league. After the 5-1 start the Pistons started slacking they had to face a tough 6 game west coast trip 6 games in 8 nights. They eventually were defeated by the warriors who they play good against when they cut the lead to 4 in the 4th quarter until the bench blew the game after a couple of back to back turnovers. Next game they went up against a Sacramento Kings teams who was struggling at that time, but the pistons didn't show up and got torched by Demarcus cousins who finished with 33 pts. And rajon rondo who got a triple double the pistons lost that game 101-92.
The Next Game the Pistons went Up against the Clippers who was without their starting backcourt, the pistons who was dominating the first 3 quarters having a 18 point lead in the middle of the 3rd then everything went wrong the pistons got stagnant and Jamal Crawford blew up for 37 points half of them in the 2nd half the pistons ended up losing that game 101-96. In the last game on the road trip going against the LA Lakers the pistons did not come to play that night, Reggie Jackson played one of his worst games that night with only 9 points on 4/11 shooting from the field with 5 turnovers. He played so bad that Spencer Dinwiddie came in the game and outplayed Jackson after sitting on the bench for most of the season who ended up having a great game with 17 points. The Pistons was up 72-69 in the 4th quarter until Van Gundy put Jackson back In the Lakers went on 16-2 scoring run the pistons ended up losing that game 95-87, Drummond and Dinwiddie was the only bright spots this game. The pistons dropped their 4th straight loss finishing the west coast trip 2-4 with there only 2 wins against Portland and Phoenix.
With the Pistons record falling 5-5 at this point they returned home to play the Cleveland Cavaliers this game the Pistons showed a lot of energy on the boards and fast break points. Reggie Jackson had a great game with 23 points and 12 assists and so did Andre Drummond who had 25 points and 18 rebound. In the 4th when the pistons down 1 David blatt started to foul Drummond on purpose but it came back and to bite them. Drummond hit his free-throws and the pistons defense held to the Cavs to 2 points the last 2 minutes of the game. The Pistons ended up winning 104-99. The Pistons Improved to 6-5, Next game they went up against the Timberwolves who was 0-6 at home, Pistons Got off to slow start but picked it up in the 2nd half. The Pistons bench showed up this game Aron Baynes had 11 rebounds off the bench, While Stanley Johnson finished with 15 points and 3-5 from deep. Drummond and Jackson took over in 4th Drummond finished the game with 21 points and 11 rebounds and Jackson finished with 18 points and 5 assists, Pistons won the game 96-86. Pistons improved to 7-5 with their next game against the Wizards, This was an up and down game for the pistons. Drummond was contained to only 8 points and 13 rebounds both season lows with the pistons building an 11 point lead in the middle of the 3rd the bench got outscored 51-15 which caused the pistons starters to play more min coming off a back to back. With 2 seconds left in the game the Pistons was down 2 points they got a bad shot off after Jackson not giving the ball to Drummond who was open down low and passing the ball to Marcus Morris taking an unbalanced three the pistons ended up losing 97-95 falling to 7-6. The Pistons next 5 games are against Bucks, Thunder, Heat, Nets, and Rockets. This where they need to find their stride and start winning games again, the bench need to be more consistent. Stanley and Tolliver need to improve the their field goal percentage and carry this 2nd unit until Jennings is recovered, then that's when the pistons will be at full strength.
Players that surprised me so far
Ersan llyasova is having an good year averaging 9 points a game so far in two of his last 4 games he has scored 18 points on more on 45% shooting from the three point line so far. He improved on putting the ball on the floor and is now getting his own shot up, ersan is number 1 in the league at drawing charges.
Marcus Morris is playing good so far looking like a steal of the off-season he is averaging 14.9 Points 6.6 Rebounds 2.1 Assist and shooting 37% From Deep. He is becoming the pistons 3rd option on offense and his post fade way is unstoppable you could tell he improved his offense in the offseason working with Rasheed Wallace.
An Interesting Fact- Reggie Jackson is first in the league in points scored in the last 3 minutes of the game ahead of Curry, Harden, LeBron and Westbrook.
