FanPost

NBA TV's Pistons preview by Isiah Thomas & Grant Hill

Mike Stobe

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NBA TV is running 30-minute previews for every team, and last night I caught my DVR'd Pistons preview. I was pleasantly surprised to see Isiah Thomas and Grant Hill behind the desk, and they started off by discussing the Pistons' history (Bad Boys, Grant Hill years, Goin' to Work) and recent years (lottery).

The full episode isn't available online, but you can watch most of it in segments on NBA.com.

Here's what stuck with me after watching...

Isiah talked about the Pistons need for an identity: will they be a 3-point shooting team surrounding Drummond, or will they be a tough, bang it inside team with two or more of the big three on the court together? Grant Hill said the identity is something they'll be figuring out during the first 20-30 games of the regular season.

There were interviews with Stan Van Gundy, Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith. SVG mentioned the importance of defense, moving the ball on offense and helping teammates. I thought SVG also spoke about breaking "bad habits," as my fellow-Atlantan Packey so nicely reported recently, but I couldn't find that segment online.

Some of you already know that my own profession - as a Clinical Hypnotherapist - deals with habits and behavior changes. As someone who's helped a lot of people break 30 to 40-year smoking and eating habits, I can tell you from experience that it's not easy.

Hypnosis is a powerful tool that can expedite the process and accelerate positive changes. Phil Jackson seems to know this (even though they don't call it "hypnosis," trust me on this one), and it would behoove the Pistons to look into it as well. Without it, you're going to need frequent reminders (i.e. SVG yelling at players, benching them) for a significant period of time before the bad habits are truly broken. Even then, there's no guarantee.

With or without hypnosis, it's extremely important that the individuals with the bad habits (Jennings & Smith in particular, but all of last year's players in general) are 100% willing to change them.

[I think I'm going to have to write an article about why the Pistons should hire me to do "Mindfulness Training" with Dre to improve his free throws, Smith & Jennings to improve shot selection, and the entire team to improve focus and intensity. It should be a full-time gig, and I'm pretty sure they can afford me...]

Smith and Jennings both spoke of their disdain for last year and how things went, and their willingness to buy into SVG's system and do whatever is necessary to help the team win. I had flashbacks to the summer of 2013, but I hope they're sincere this time.

Now, here are some predictions from Grant Hill and Isiah...

  • Hill thinks Monroe will be coming off the bench (Smith will start at PF) and that SVG needs to sell him on that role. He referred to the Pistons 3-guard rotation with Isiah, Joe & Vinnie as an example of a strong 3-man rotation that worked.
  • Isiah (I think) said that if Drummond is the primary inside option and he doesn't develop as an inside scorer in the first 20 games, it'll be difficult for the Pistons to get open looks from 3PT range, as opposing teams will just defend him 1-on-1.
  • Grant Hill thinks we'll see a "drastic change" in Pistons culture this year due to SVG's presence and reputation.
  • Both Isiah and Hill say Monroe is the most likely Piston to be traded during the season.
  • Both say Augustin will be the team's best 6th man (not sure if that is a knock on Monroe).
  • Hill says KCP will be the team's "breakout player"… Isiah says it'll be Drummond.
  • Hill picks the Pistons to finish 7th in the East… Isiah picks them to finish 4th.

I'm hoping they're wrong about Monroe in all respects. As with most of you here on DBB, I think he should start and they should be looking to deal Smith, hopefully when his value is higher.

Also, this full screen graphic of the Pistons' depth chart should give us all a good laugh… every outlet just insists on keeping Smith as the SF. I think Kyle Singler might also object to being listed as a 4th string SG!

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