The Pistons are hoping that some of their young players development and provide better production as they grow more experienced at playing basketball on the professional level.
Detroit didn't make any big off-season splashes. The Pistons added Andre Drummond, Corey Maggette, Kyle Singler, Kim English, and Khris Middleton. The projected starting five will be Brandon Knight, Rodney Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince, Jonas Jerebko and Greg Monroe.
Monroe has a chance to be a top-center in the Eastern conference, but he needs to develop his body to deal with hits that professional centers take. He also has to develop his defensive game. The hope is that first round draft pick Drummond can become a defensive complement to Monroe.
Small forward Corey Maggette is aging badly and his production has steadily been on the decline. He may perform well this season or he will disappear on the bench.
According to NBA 2K13, The Pistons will have five players average more than 10 points per game. But the Pistons will lack a genuine superstar or top scorer in the NBA and be lead by Brandon Knight's 16.4 points per game. Detroit will finish three spots out of the playoffs and will have a win percentage below .500 on their way to a 37-45 record.
Third year center Monroe has a reasonably solid season and averages 15.4 points, 1.5 blocks and 9.3 rebounds per game. But the team does not get much rebounding or blocks out of anybody else and ranks dead last in blocks and twentieth in rebounding. In mid-November, starting forward Jerebko tears his MCL and is out for the season. The team also loses reserves Villanueva and Daye to injuries early in the season and neither player has much of an impact on the season.
Here is how the game simulates the Pistons' season:
Regular Season Record: 37-45 Eleventh in the Eastern Conference
Top scorers: C Greg Monroe 15.4 PPG, SG Rodney Stuckey 15.6 PPG, PG Brandon Knight 16.4 PPG
Leading rebounders: SF Tayshaun Prince 4.9 RPG, PF Jason Maxwell 8.6 RPG, C Greg Monroe 9.3 RPG
Assist Leader: SF Tayshaun Prince 2.4 APG, SG Rodney Stuckey 5.9 APG, PG Brandon Knight 6.4 APG
Playoff Opponents
Round 1: Did not qualify
Round 2: Did not qualify
Conference Finals: Did not qualify
NBA Finals: Did not qualify
Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Washington Wizards
Denver Nuggets
Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets
Orlando Magic
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Hornets
Dallas Mavericks
Milwaukee Bucks
