Orlando Magic Daily
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The Eastern Conference is a mess (it’s not just the Orlando Magic)

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Magic 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Magic 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; (Left to right) Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) forward Marcus Morris (13) head coach Stan Van Gundy forward Tobias Harris (34) and guard Reggie Jackson (1) stand during a timeout during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; (Left to right) Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) forward Marcus Morris (13) head coach Stan Van Gundy forward Tobias Harris (34) and guard Reggie Jackson (1) stand during a timeout during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Pistons

Is progress inevitable?

No team in the Eastern Conference’s middle pack probably has more to gain this year than the Detroit Pistons.

They made the Playoffs last year with a solid, young core of Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and Tobias Harris and one of the best coaches in the league in Stan Van Gundy. They played the Cleveland Cavaliers tough despite getting swept. O fall the teams in the Eastern Conference, this is the only “young” team that has not arrived to contention yet.

Whenever there are teams like this, it always seems like progress is inevitable. Van Gundy has reshaped this team very quickly in his image and Andre Drummond has looked like a young Dwight Howard on occasions. They have a ton of shooting and should continue to get better.

No one should be surprised if the Pistons challenge for home court.

That prediction is a product of believing the team will continue its progress with another year together. They have good role players and Van Gundy gets the benefit of the doubt, so they have some of the fewest questions among teams in the league.

Next: Reform. Rebuild. Conquer?