Preseason, Cade Cunningham, and Malik Beasley | The Weekly Drive
The Pistons have split their first two games of the preseason, but the final score is not what matters most.
Good afternoon Pistons fans, and welcome back to the Weekly Drive. Preseason is in full swing, guys are getting up to speed (some slower than others), and roster battles are heating up. Let’s get into it.
Game Recaps
Preseason Game 1: Detroit 128, Memphis 112
Quick Reaction: Cade Cunningham is that dude. Yes its preseason, but Cunningham looked in full flow. The game looked like it was running in slow motion for him, a trait that is usually reserved for the game’s elite. The same could not be said for Jaden Ivey, who looked severe steps behind in his ramping up process from a broken leg. Ausar Thompson playing point guard was an interesting wrinkle from head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, an encouraging effort to find ways for him to contribute more on offense.
Preseason Game 2: Detroit 111, Milwaukee 117
Quick Reaction: Are free throws going to be a problem? For the second game in a row, the Pistons shot 70% or lower from the charity stripe. Their three-point volume still leaves something to be desired, as they attempted just 30 threes. Its early, and they were without some key shooters, but Detroit will need to increase the number of attempts from deep.
ESPN’s Egregious Conference Rankings
ESPN’s coverage of the NBA has been openly questioned, but their rankings for the Eastern Conference are certainly puzzling. Detroit at 8th, a downgrade from what they were last year, is certainly…something.
Does the loss of Malik Beasley make that much of a difference? Possibly, but the Pistons falling to the Play-In would likely be because of something much more dramatic - like a Cunningham injury. The Eastern Conference is much weaker than it was last year, and ESPN having the Indiana Pacers (sans Tyrese Haliburton), Boston Celtics (sans Jayson Tatum), and Milwaukee Bucks above Detroit is puzzling. There is a good case to be made that the Pistons will - and should - be above the other teams. Reputation be damned.
News and Notes
Detroit is getting a WNBA team, but their future headquarters and practice facility may be built on land that was once heavily polluted.
Jalen Duren has not appeared in a preseason game yet due to what the team is calling hamstring tightness.
Speaking of Beasley, the sharpshooter is still in limbo in terms of his return to the NBA but that has not stopped teams from keeping an eye on him.
Team USA basketball is reportedly naming Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra as its new head coach. One would have the believe that a few Pistons will be on the next Olympic team.
How do you think the Pistons have looked so far? Its only two games, but its pretty clear that Detroit has not just a budding star, but a full-blooded one in Cade Cunningham. After that, there’s a smattering of good to solid players that compliment him. We will know more once the regular season starts in just one week. Buckle up.
See you all next week.
Mike