Are the Pistons good? Here are the numbers

So, who are the 2015 Detroit Pistons?

DETROIT – Are the Pistons back? It's hard to put a finger on that answer.

On one hand, the Pistons have beaten some of the league's best teams, including Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago and Miami. But, they've also lost to some of the worst teams, including the Lakers, Kings, Suns and Timberwolves.

So, who are the 2015 Detroit Pistons? Are they a contender? The simple answers is -- it's too early to tell. The team is 8-9, after a 4-1 start. Let's take a look at the numbers.

OFFENSE:

- Field Goal Shooting: 40.8 percent (last in NBA)

- Three-Point Shooting: 30.8 percent (28th in NBA)

- Free Throw Shooting: 67.3 percent (last in NBA)

- Assists: 17.4 per game. (last in NBA)

- Points per game: 95.5 (29th in NBA)

- 2nd chance points: 14.9 per game (4th in NBA)

- Points in the paint: 44.0 per game (6th in NBA)

- Bench scoring: 22 points per game (last in NBA)

REBOUNDING:

- 14.2 offensive rebounds per game. (1st in NBA)

- 32.9 defensive rebounds per game. (20th in NBA)

- 47.7 rebounds per game. (2nd in NBA)

DEFENSE:

- 3.1 blocks per game. (last in NBA)

- 8.1 steals per game. (15th in NBA)

- Opponents field goal shooting: 45.6 percent (23rd in NBA)

- Points allowed per game: 96.1 (5th lowest in NBA)

- Opponents 2nd chance points: 9.1 per game (2nd lowest in NBA)

These numbers do almost nothing to clarify if the Pistons are good or not. The terrible offensive numbers would suggest a worse record than 8-9, but their defense and rebounding is carrying them into the win column.

- Andre Drummond is averaging an NBA best, 17.2 rebounds per game, which has contributed to the Pistons high 2nd chance points, as well as points in the paint. He's also averaging 18 points per game, up from 13 points in 2014.

- Reggie Jackson is averaging more than three fewer assists per game than in 2014.

- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is shooting 31 percent from three-point land, compared to 34 percent in 2014.

The Pistons are clearly missing Brandon Jennings and Jodie Meeks, as their bench is scoring is dreadfully last in the league.

We have a lot to learn about this team in the coming months, but one thing is for sure -- we'll be paying attention.


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.