Pistons news: Detroit struggling, Pacers cruising and the Knicks ... yikes

The Detroit Pistons are off to a 2-3 start and while the team had moments of brilliance in recent losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, they largely scuffled through both games. Lets check some Pistons headlines and around the league as we get set for another Pistons game day.

-- Just a reminder, the Pistons begin a west-coast trip tonight, facing off against the Trail Blazers. After that, they play the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings (on ESPN!) and Los Angeles Lakers.

-- The Pistons are apparently going through a "process" according to Vincent Goodwill. That shouldn't be terribly surprising considering new players, new coaches and the health trouble the team dealt with that robbed it of a proper preseason. Still, if this "process" doesn't end with KCP at starting shooting guard, I'm going to be upset.

With 2-3 start, Pistons are going through 'a process' | The Detroit News

"At 2-3, the Pistons are like a lot of teams in the NBA. They’re trying to find a comfort level with each other and their opponent, so they’re taking the long-term approach instead of getting close to panicking."

-- It wasn't terribly fun watching the Pistons get thoroughly outclassed by the Pacers. But then again, Indiana is doing that to everyone. They are 7-0 and the only undefeated team remaining in the NBA.

-- On the opposite end of that spectrum are the New York Knicks. ESPN's Daily Dime has a full autopsy and it isn't pretty:

Their defensive anchor, Tyson Chandler, has a broken leg. The Amar'e Stoudemire situation is untenable, it's not really even worth detailing. Kenyon Martin has been relegated to senior citizen status by league standards. J.R. Smith has been on drug suspension.

There are no smiles in there. What the Knicks can't control is disrupting them and it, indeed, appears it's going to suppress their effectiveness for a while.

But what the Knicks can control is something different. Those facets are what had the Madison Square Garden crowd booing them on a Sunday afternoon as they were outclassed by the San Antonio Spurs 120-89 to drop to 2-4 on the season.

-- In case you're curious, the Detroit Pistons have faced the toughest schedule in the NBA through five games.

-- Greg Monroe and Rodney Stuckey are hot; everyone else not, writes Vince Ellis.

-- Dave Pemberton has the horrific details of the team's outside shooting woes:

Kyle Singler (2 for 12) Chauncey Billups (7 for 21) and Brandon Jennings (6 for 18) are all shooting below their career averages. Rookie Gigi Datome brought in for his outside shooting has missed all six of his 3-point attempts.

-- And just to depress you further, Charlie Villanueva was a full participant at practice on Sunday, and I find it extremely plausible that Mo Cheeks turns to CV to help fix those outside shooting problems.

Happy Monday, everyone!