Work in Progress

As mentioned on PH's excellent blog, there are some positives despite the Pistons' 1-2 start. Opening up with Memphis, OkCity, and Milwaukee, even an average Piston team would go 3-0. So, how are there possibly any positives?

The defense, thought to be the team's main deficiency, has held up. It's been way more consistent than last season. Ben Gordon's rep portrayed him to be a horrible defender, but I saw him team with Big Ben on a very effective 2-man trap. He exhibits a willingness and talent to ballhawk. Nobody has lit the Pistons up for over 100 yet, though Milwaukee did explode for 36 in the decisive 3rd quarter. Overall, props to the defense.

On offense, Ben Gordon displayed why he earned the major cash. He's been All-star calibre. Unfortunately, Ben is the only consistent offensive threat. Other folks haven't quite stepped up. Stuckey showed signs of both his dominance and ineffectiveness. Rip, in his one game, was great, but he can't help the team with a gimpy ankle.

Strangely, this team dominated out of the gate in all three games. But, at the first sign of resistance, they folded. Greg Kelser said that when the opponent's have ramped up defensive pressure, the Pistons stop passing the ball. They become a one-on-one team. Assists in the first half against Milwaukee were 12. Only 4 the rest of the way.

Even the worst teams tend to make runs at home. Milwaukee made their run, and the Piston couldn't counter. Same thing against Oklahoma City. The Pistons are a work-in-progress, and we'll see if Kuester can get the team to play a full 48 minutes. Their lack of familiarity with each other may contribute to the panic mode. It's possible that, over the course of the season, they'll develop consistency. That will be the determining factor for Kuester.