This team can make noise in the playoffs

In a season that the Pistons have massively improved, it’s easy to just assume that they will come back down to earth come playoffs. However, I think that they can exceed everyone’s expectations in the first series. I know that they will likely play Indiana, Boston, or New York which at all tough teams, but they’re not looking at Detroit as a walk in the park. One of the things people have always said about Cade is that he plays like a 10 year vet despite being under 25 years old. Veterans know how to play postseason basketball and I don’t think it will take long for Cade to learn how to perform well in the playoffs. I also think JB bickerstaff is far more ready for this postseason than any other in the past. He was always criticized for his inability to make in game adjustments, but he’s been so much better at it this season. Many of the games greatest coaches were raw in some of their early roles, but JB has plenty of experience now and has learned from his mistakes. Defense may be an issue in the postseason, but I think JB will try to put players in positions where they can out hustle their opponents. The home games are key. If the pistons are able to get the crowd excited with a few hustle plays (ex. Prince block on Reggie, anything Ben Wallace ever did, etc.) then the other teams need to look out because they’re not stopping Cade and Malik on offense, especially with Ivey coming off the bench in a low pressure role after his injury. I personally would love a series with New York. I can see a world in which Ausar clamps up Brunson, the bench outperforms the Knicks bench, and Cade looks like the scariest opponent to face in the east. KAT will be hard to stop, but I have a feeling JB will find a way to slow him down and keep Duren on the court long enough to give Detroit and offensive pulse.