Detroit — It’s not working, by virtually any measure and any metric. Pistons owner Tom Gores still thinks it’ll work, or hopes it’ll work, or says it’ll work, but that’s flimsy optimism wrapped in delusion.
Almost precisely one year ago, the Pistons made a bold deal for Blake Griffin, and the gamble proved to be half-right. Griffin is far from washed up, having a career year at 29, and his critics have been humbled.
The player is great.
But the plan is failing miserably.
With the Feb. 7 trade deadline approaching, Gores, senior adviser Ed Stefanski, coach Dwane Casey and the rest of the front office can’t double down on a faulty philosophy, no matter how tempting they think it is.