Pistons vs. Nets GameThread and Preview: Detroit basketball is kinda back!

The Pistons open up their preseason schedule tonight, visiting the Brooklyn Nets. Pistons make their first tip a day after announcing they’ll be without the services of their starting point guard Reggie Jackson for an extended period.

That adds even more interest in the game than simply the usual excitement that comes with the start of a new season. There’ll be extra attention on the play of the Pistons’ new backup point guard Ish Smith, who looks to step into the starting role for the season’s opening. Ray McCallum and Lorenzo Brown’s fight for the final roster spot gains extra importance as well, as the stakes now also potentially include a spot in the rotation.

Game details

When: Thursday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Watch: NBA League Pass

Players to watch

Pistons: Dudes, I’m irrationally excited to see Boban Marjanovic in a Pistons uniform. Or maybe it’s a rational excitement, I don’t know. But Brooklyn is about to get Boban’d.

Nets: Sean Kilpatrick. I’m going to go out on a limb that he wins the starting shooting guard spot for Brooklyn. The 26 year old D-League alum has only 688 NBA minutes, but he can shoot the lights out. Plus the Nets really suck at shooting guard.

Community question

Who is your favorite obscure Nets player? (Dibs on whatever an Egidijus Mockevicius is)