The Detroit Pistons have been an up and down operation for most of the season but their recent play has the team in a particularly tumultuous state. They have won just one of their last six games and most of them have not been close. They have now even supplanted Reggie Jackson from the starting lineup in favor of Ish Smith, who has clearly outplayed Jackson for weeks. Stan Van Gundy is placing the blame at the top, however, which as coach and president just so happens to be himself. In a recent post-game press conference SVG had a lot to say about the Pistons recent play according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
“I think it’s pretty clear from these six games, I’m not finding the answers and not doing a very good job. It starts with me. I’m the person in charge. I selected everybody in that locker room. I’m the one that wanted them in there.
“I decide who plays. I put lineups out there. I decide on defensive coverages. I call plays. It’s all on me. I’m not running from that. Right now, we’ve gotta find a way to get it back.”
Despite being four games under .500 the Pistons are only 1.5 games back from reaching the playoffs. Ish Smith in the starting lineup should provide a spark and the Pistons still have a chance with their relatively easy schedule down the stretch. It will be up to Stan Van Gundy to make all the pieces come together to save this Pistons season.
