Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Gores has to feel better about this Detroit Pistons team with the offseason deals that GM Joe Dumars has made, but Gores has got to realize this is only the start.
His first goal after he bought the franchise was to get the Pistons back to the .500 mark and into playoff contention. Although there are many skeptics who aren’t quite sure if they’re still that good, he’s at least taken some huge steps for the Pistons to have a chance to become much better.
Gores, if Dumars hasn’t told him already, has to realize other bold moves need to be made down the road if the Pistons are to eventually be NBA title contenders again.
The Pistons have drafted well with players like Andre Drummond, Greg Monroe and Kyle Singler. This year’s No. 1 pick, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, should prove to be a productive contributor. If they eventually establish themselves as legitimate title contenders, then some of the best free agents available might be tempted to come to the Pistons. That’s what happened in 2004 when the Pistons picked up Rasheed Wallace to close out the type of roster they needed to win a title.
Gores does need to hold Dumars accountable for what happens to the Pistons. If this team doesn’t at least come extremely close to making the playoffs next season and if the moves that Dumars made backfire, then some major changes are needed. Gores was disappointed that last year’s team finished 29-53. He’s going to be even more disappointed if they’re not much better this season.
John Raffel is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnCarlRaffel, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
