Detroit Pistons Basketball is back.
The Pistons tipped off the 2022-23 season with a 113-109 victory over the Orlando Magic at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons hit the road tonight to face the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Prior to the game I spoke to Pistons’ beat writer James Edwards III of The Athletic for his preview of the rest of the season.
How has your opinion on Jaden Ivey evolved after watching him play in Summer League and in the Preseason?
Jaden Ivey is a better passer than I thought he would be. He did a really good job of getting downhill, two feet in the paint and kicking out to open shooters. I wasn’t sure that would translate for him right away. It did in the preseason.
Which Piston do you think will take the biggest jump in development this season?
Isaiah Stewart, simply because I think he’ll be a consistent 3-point shooter. He’ll make the biggest addition to his game, I believe, of anyone on the roster.
Is there a Piston you think people are sleeping on with what they can provide for the team?
Kevin Knox looked OK in his one preseason game. I think he starts the year in the rotation and will play until he doesn’t produce. Obviously, I could say Isaiah Livers here, but everyone is expecting him to be a fixture on a nightly basis.
What is one lineup combination you think would be intriguing for Dwayne Casey to experiment with this season?
I’d like to see a Cade-Ivey-Livers-Bey-Stewart lineup. It might not be great defensive or on the glass, but it could be a lot of fun offensively.
Which player(s) appears to be the odd guy(s) out in the rotation to start the year?
Given that the Pistons have so many injuries, I think everyone will get an opportunity early on. It will be an all-hands-on-deck approach. Assuming everyone does get healthy a month from now, I don’t think Cory Joseph plays at all and I’m curious to see how much Diallo does.
Where do you see this team struggling the most this season?
I think they’ll turn the ball over a lot. Two young players in the backcourt, and youth at nearly every position. Young players tend to turn the ball over often. I think that will be Detroit’s biggest downfall this season.
What aspect of the Detroit Pistons do you see improving the most from last season?
I do think they’ll be a better shooting team, even though I have no evidence to support that. Bogdanovic shouldn’t fall off a cliff just because he switched teams. I think Bey will be more consistent. A regular role for Livers should help, too. Cunningham will shoot better … I think. Stewart, as I said before, will be a legit 3-point threat.
(Featured Image Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)
