Detroit Pistons: A Rejuvenated Ben Gordon Could Be the Key to the Playoffs

When you go to the movie theater and lay down $20 of your hard earned money, you have certain expectations: your favorite soda, popcorn and two hours of digital entertainment.

What if your $20 instead got you a glass of water and a rice cake, and you were treated to a puppet show?

You would probably ask for a refund.

The Detroit Pistons have been going through a similar situation with Ben Gordon the last two years. I believe the term is buyer's remorse.

Unfortunately, in this case a refund is not possible.

In 2009 the Pistons paid a hefty price for Gordon—$55 million over five years. He was a top-tier player, but they overpaid. Big deal. That's how the NBA operated back then.

That's why we had the lockout.

After two years the deal looks like the equivalent of a real estate scam involving swampland in Florida.

There's been no return on the investment.

The Pistons thought they were getting an offensive spark plug. Gordon shot a high percentage and was a reliable source of threes. 

 The former Connecticut Husky averaged 20 points a game with Chicago in 2008. 

Even if the Pistons were overpaying, it's not like they were getting Kwame Brown. Gordon could actually give them something every night.

It wasn't meant to be. Two years have passed, and Gordon's scoring average is down eight points from his final season with Chicago.

He can't take all the blame, though. There were other factors—John Kuester and Richard Hamilton—that hindered his success.

Gordon and Hamilton were basically the same player and couldn't coexist and Kuester didn't utilize him properly—or enough. 

He only averaged 26.5 minutes a game with the Pistons. The last time he averaged fewer minutes was his rookie year.

That's all ancient history. These days, Gordon has a new lease on life with Lawrence Frank calling the shots.

Indications are that Frank will give him every opportunity to return to form. This is key if the Pistons hope to improve on last year.   

With Chicago, Gordon was an assassin off the bench. His scoring can turn the tide in a close game. 

Yet, people think he's one dimensional. He scores, but what else does he do? How much of an impact can he have?

Anyone recall a player named Vinnie Johnson? 

The Microwave did one thing, and he did it well. His job was to come off the bench and score as many points as he could in a short amount of time.

Johnson carried out this task with maximum efficiency. He was able to turn the tide of many games in the Pistons' favor.

Gordon could assume the same role if he plays up to his potential and is given consistent minutes. He could even play the role better. He has range. 

A couple of three-pointers in a short span of time is much more demoralizing to an opponent then a couple of mid-range jumpers. 

Offensively Gordon can do it all, but he must be utilized properly if the Pistons hope to benefit.

Gordon won the Sixth Man of the Year award his rookie year. He is the only player to accomplish this feat.

If Frank is able to get that type of year from him, there is no reason why the Pistons couldn't make the playoffs.

The Pistons were 30-52 last year and watched the playoffs on TV.  The Indiana Pacers were 37-45 and made the playoffs. Seven games is all that separated them.

Is seven games an insurmountable obstacle? I don't think so.

Greg Monroe, Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye are another year older. The Pistons should improve on last year's record for this reason alone.

Add a rejuvenated Gordon to a deep, young and talented team and the Pistons could take a big step forward. 

If that happens they might not watch the playoffs on TV this year. Stay tuned, it could be an exciting season.