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Piston excited for fresh start with young team

Posted at 5:30 PM, Sep 25, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-25 17:30:55-04

This isn't your "Going To Work" Pistons team of the early 2000's.

They don't have the names of those who now have their jerseys retired in the rafters of Little Caesars Arena. 

But before those Pistons great became Pistons greats, they sure did resemble a team like the Pistons will have going into the 2017-2018 season.

Before Richard Hamilton was 'Rip' or Chauncey Billips was 'Mr. Bigshot', they were young players who said the game started with defense, and let the rest take care of itself.

Heading into the first season at Little Caesars Arena, the Pistons admittedly aren't the most talented team, but that doesn't mean they can't be one of the best.

"We can't have off nights, every single night we have to go out there and play hard, with 100-percent effort and I think that has to be our identity," newest guard Avery Bradley said. 

"On the defensive end, I think we've got the making of a team that can be very, very good. We've got a lot of guys who are smart and tough, that alone will make you pretty good, and then I think we've got a couple of guys with the capabilities of being big time defenders," head coach Stan Van Gundy said.

Leadership will have to emerge, as one of the biggest voices from a year ago, Marcus Morris, was shipped to Boston for Bradley. 

The biggest piece of the equation for the last few seasons has been the development of center Andre Drummond. He says he lost 30 pound this offseason, and he says his motor will not be an issue this year.

"Energy is something I can bring every night, it doesn't require skill or anything besides hard work and that's something I can and will bring this season," Drummond said.

Training camp is now underway as the Pistons host their first preseason game at Little Caesars Arena October 4th.