After winning 60 games and running away with the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons have made several changes to their roster. While moving on from Tobias Harris might hurt more than some expect, the team has improved its overall depth, thanks in part to the promising preseason play of rookie Ebuka Okorie and second-year center Tolu Smith, Omari Sankofa II writes for the Detroit Free Press. That’s a good thing, but it will leave head coach J.B. Bickerstaff with tough rotation decisions to make.
“I think our guys have a respect level for each other’s talent in the locker room and they understand that anyone could get called on,” said assistant coach Jarrett Jack. “It’s not because you’re not playing well. It can just be a different look, a different skill set. For us, we just use it to our advantage, understanding that maybe some of the stints that the other team’s played won’t be as long, but we play ours long, fast, fierce and physical.”
Okorie and Smith know that it will be difficult for them to get consistent minutes, especially at first, and that it’s up to them to be ready when called upon.
“I’d say the biggest thing is just being immersed in the game,” Okorie said. “When I’m not in the game, being locked in and making sure I’m focused on the team. I watch film with some of the coaches every day and they’re really helping me. For example, if I’m not in the game, just watching film and seeing what I’m doing with the minutes I’m getting has really helped me to be ready and be able to impact the game when I go out.”
We have more from around the Central Division:
The Bulls’ Las Vegas over/under sits at 29.5 wins this season, but point guard Josh Giddey believes that the oddsmakers are underselling their competitiveness and overwhelming size. Still, he knows he has to back up that belief on the court, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “Every team probably says the same thing, that they’re ready for a big year, but you never really know until the season starts,” Giddey said. “I’m very confident with the guys we have, but until you go through adversity, until you go through a losing streak, that’s when you find out where you are as a team. I don’t want to say we’re going to be a playoff team or whatever, but I think we’re good enough to be competitive every night.” Rookie Caleb Wilson added that no one on the team cares what the betting odds are, but acknowledged that he has a chip on his shoulder as a result of the low figure.
Jarrett Allen is entering his 10th season and knows it’s an important one for the Cavaliers as they look to cement themselves as a top team – not just in the regular season, but also in the playoffs – in the much-improved Eastern Conference. He believes that one of the keys to the Cavs reaching the Finals this year is simply ensuring that the starting five gets more comfortable together, according to Cyro Asseo, who sat down with Allen for a Q&A with HoopsHype. “I saw a stat that Evan, Donovan, James and I only played a hundred or so minutes together last year,” he said. “It’s insane to think about how little time that is across 82 games, or the 30 or so games James had been here. If we get that experience together, make sure everything runs smoothly and fill in all the cracks, I think that’s it.”
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle had nothing but praise for the recently waivedJames Johnson, according to Forbes’ Tony East. “He’s a tone setter. He’s a great leader in the locker room. He’s a great practice player,” Carlisle said of Johnson. “He’s working with players on situations and all kinds of different things. And our guys love him. They have great respect for him.” The decision to waive Johnson on Saturday didn’t come as a surprise, as both parties knew that the team didn’t have room to keep him under its first-apron hard cap heading into the season.