Detroit Pistons newest addition: head coach Maurice Cheeks

Maurice Cheeks is the new coach of the Detroit Pistons. Is this bad? Is this good? Or does it not make a difference? Let’s examine more closely, shall we?

Cheeks used to coach two mediocre teams in the past: the Portland Trail Blazers (2001-2005) and the Philadelphia 76ers (05-08). His total head coaching record is 284-286 (.498). Although Cheeks’ teams made the playoffs three total times, they never made it out of the first round.

The Detroit Pistons are struggling. With Andre Drummond having just finished up his rookie campaign, and Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe still developing, the Pistons are far away from playoff birth. They lack a quality star; someone who can guarantee them 20+ points a night and lead a team to victory in the clutch. Cheeks worked with Russell Westbrook during is assistant coaching tenure with the Thunder, helping develop Westbrook into a crunch time guy, but that untapped potential he has is not present on the Pistons roster at this time.

Maurice Cheeks was a point guard in the NBA, and understands how to run a solid offense, which is what Detroit needs. Andre Drummond will slowly develop into a shot blocker who can pick up 10+ boards a night, but the Pistons need offense right now. The Pistons were 22^nd in points scored and 18^th in points allowed, as well as 22^nd in assists per game. Clearly their offense is lacking intensity and efficiency, two things Cheeks will focus on specifically this offseason.

Detroit has the 8^th overall pick in this years draft. Although the draft is not deep this year, I’m sure Phil Jackson has advised them in regards to what piece this team needs most. Detroit has plenty of cap space this offseason, and I expect them to sign a scoring shooting guard, someone who is already a proven scorer in this league. I’m thinking OJ Mayo, because he wants out of Dallas and will excel as the go-to man in a system lacking a true scorer. With Monroe averaging 16 PPG, and Knight only scoring 13.3 PPG a night, Mayo will fit right in, and Cheeks will establish an offense that gets him the ball frequently, and in his spots.

I doubt the Pistons will make the playoffs for the next few years. But until they sign a big name superstar, they’ll be stuck playing the lottery. My guess for Cheeks’ first year with this team: 34-48, unless they sign OJ Mayo. Then maybe: 40-42. Time will tell.