OKC Thunder: NBA Power Rankings week 10 – All-Star break edition

Detroit Pistons: 
Week 10: 1-3
Won vs: Magic 105-93
Lost to: Pelicans 118-128, Kings 107-110, Knicks 90-109

Opponents this week: *Raptors (could get postponed), Knicks

Offensive Rating: 107.5 (25th) | Defensive Rating:111.9 (19th) | Net Differential: -4.4 (25th)

Troy Weaver is a product of OKC Thunder GM, Sam Presti’s executive tree. So it’s sort of comical he seems to be equally allergic to using that nasty R verb (rebuild). Weaver’s verb of choice is ‘restore’.  It makes sense as there is a real need for the Pistons to rediscover the culture of yore.

What doesn’t make sense —  why Dwane Casey wasn’t playing the future core. He finally acquiesced via a series of events. Specifically, a trade (Derrick Rose), an injury (Delon Wright), and a reduction in minutes (Bake Griffin who often functions as the point forward).

Prior to these events, two-way contracted Saben Lee averaged 8.7 minutes in eight appearances (2.3 points, 0.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 steals).

Finally, the ‘free Saben Lee’ chants became reality. The resulting effect — in five games Lee is averaging 12.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.4 steals. He’s shooting an insane 80 percent from the perimeter which is probably based on the small sample size (4 of 5) but even the fact he doesn’t just jack up shots points to the youngster’s high I.Q.

The big question moving forward is whether Casey who is notorious for prioritizing his vets can shift gears and commit to the youngsters so they can develop and build chemistry with the core Detroit wants to move forward with.