After the emergence of the “Goin To Work” Detroit Pistons era in the 2000s, which brought Detroit an NBA title in 2004, the following decade has been a rollercoaster for the Motor City.
The Pistons in the 2010s have been a decade full of shortcomings, head-scratching draft picks, as well as unforeseen futures. The team has missed six straight playoff appearances beginning in 2010. Although they have made two playoff appearances within the last four years, both of them have resulted in gruesome sweeps.
However, despite the Pistons’ darkest moments, there have been some bright moments within the players that have made the most of their time in Detroit during the 2010s.
Detroit Pistons All-Decade Team for the 2010s
Detroit Pistons All-Decade Team Starting Five
Guard: Reggie Jackson
In spite of his shortcomings, Reggie Jackson has been one of the best point guards in Detroit since Chauncey Billups.
In his first season with the Detroit Pistons in 2017, he averaged 17.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. The following season, he averaged a career-high 18.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds.
Reggie Jackson’s time in Detroit allowed him to showcase his ability to be a franchise point guard. This was an opportunity that he didn’t quite have with the Oklahoma City Thunder, shadowing Russell Westbrook. From the three-point line, Jackson shot as high as 36 percent. He’s currently ranked 8th in 3-point field goals made in franchise history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCnwgbb757Q
Guard: Brandon Jennings
Brandon Jennings came to Detroit in between the arrival of Josh Smith and before the Reggie Jackson era. During this time (2 seasons) Jennings averaged 15 points, 7 assists, and 2.6 rebounds.
Jennings was a solid contributor to Detroit during the transitioning phase. He also made great plays for the team, including a lay-up game-winner against the San Antonio Spurs in 2015.
Forward: Tobias Harris
Similar to Jennings, Tobias Harris has made an impact in Detroit within the two-and-a-half seasons playing for the franchise.
When Harris got shipped to Detroit from the Orlando Magic, his role was to be a reliable wing player that had offensive and defensive strengths. Tobias stepped up for Detroit offensively with his ability to make jump shots, as well as shoot from three. In the 2017-18 season, Harris shot 40 percent from three and 45 percent from the field. When Jackson went down with injuries, Tobias became the go-to guy to hit down shots.
Forward: Blake Griffin
In an unexpected trade that sent Blake Griffin to the Pistons from the Los Angeles Clippers, Griffin managed to elevate his game, as well as be a leader within two seasons.
Blake averaged 19 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in the 2017-18 season, but only played in 28 games. During the 2018-19 season, Griffin exploded on the court, averaging career numbers all across the board:24.5 points, shooting 46 percent from the field and 36 percent from three. Not only did Blake’s jump shot got better, but he also started to shoot more from the perimeter.
Facing against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs, Griffin did suffer from injuries. However, Griffin displayed a sense of leadership that hasn’t been seen before, making big plays and trying to give his team a win.
Center: Andre Drummond
When it comes to choosing a player that best exemplifies the Pistons 2010’s decade, it’s a no-brainer to choose Andre Drummond. Drafted in 2012 by Detroit, Drummond’s time at Connecticut helped him stand out as a piece the Pistons wanted to build around and help create a new era.
Since 2012, Drummond has been the centerpiece of the foundation Detroit’s has been building and during his time, he has achieved a few accolades:
- 4x Rebound Champion
- 2 Playoff Appearances
- 2x All-Star
- 2012-13 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
Playing the true role of a center (grabbing boards, rim protector, etc.), as well as improving in his free-throw shooting over time, Drummond has shown effort to being a star in the league.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN9ljJud0lE
Bench
Guard: Rodney Stuckey
In the 2010s era for the Detroit Pistons, they often had many players that were used for rotations when experimenting with the backcourt and frontcourt. Rodney Stuckey was one of those players who was rotated in the backcourt often for seven seasons since 2007. Stuckey averaged 13.4 points and 3.6 assists under his role.
Even though Rodney never became a full-time point-guard, he did manage to play well in his role. Rodney displayed energy, scoring, as well as good defense for a guard that was worthy of getting a shot at a starting spot.
Guard: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the lottery draft pick that Detroit Pistons fans gave high expectations, yet didn’t really seem to exceed them. In four-seasons, Caldwell-Pope averaged 11.7 points, 3 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
While these are decent numbers for a player that would soon be apart of the youth movement, the Pistons organization and many fans didn’t think that he would fit into the equation, costing him a potential max deal. Despite people’s perception of him, Caldwell-Pope does rank seventh in franchise history for 3-point field goals made.
Forward: Reggie Bullock
In three-in-a half-seasons with Detroit, Reggie Bullock had become the best shooter during this decade from beyond the arc. Bullock averaged as high as 44 percent shooting from three-point range. He also became a starter during his final two seasons as a Piston (2017-2019), averaging 11.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2 assists. In the 2017-18 season, Bullock was ranked second in the league in 3-point shooting.
Forward: Josh Smith
Josh Smith’s dominance for the Atlanta Hawks convinced Detroit to pursue in him, hoping that he would continue this dominance for the Motor City.
Smith’s first season with Detroit in 2013-14 was not the prettiest, but he did put up a great effort, averaging 16.7 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. In a 29-win season for the Pistons, Smith was the team leader in points, steals, minutes played and field goals made. But was makes Smith’s time with Detroit memorable is that Detroit is still paying him millions.
Center: Greg Monroe
Before Drummond came along, Greg Monroe was the first attempt at using a center for the focal piece of a team. Just like Drummond, Monroe was also a first-round draft pick. In five seasons with the Pistons, Monroe averaged 14.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. He also earned a spot on the 2010-11 All-Rookie Second Team. However, as time progressed, Detroit saw Andre fitting better into their movement and quickly replaced Monroe with him.
Main Photo:
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