30 Teams in 30 Days: Detroit Pistons

Today in our "30 Teams in 30 Days" series of NBA team previews leading up to the start of the 2014-15 NBA season next Tuesday, we will be going in-depth and taking an inside look at the Detroit Pistons, a team that is in the midst of a rebuilding phase, but is determined to turn things around this season in "The Motor City".

Last season's record: 29-53(4th in Central Division/11th in Eastern Conference)

Head Coach: Stan Van Gundy(9th season, 371-208 overall, 2nd season with Detroit)

Arena: The Palace of Auburn Hills(21,231)

Website: Pistons.com

In the 2013-14 season, Stan Van Gundy's first as Detroit's head coach, he wanted to see what his players would give in to his system, as the Pistons were in the midst of their rebuilding phase, a phase that was started when Tom Gores bought the team from the family of the late Bill Davidson, the team's longtime owner in 2011.  Despite finishing the season with a 29-53 record, Detroit did have some bright spots in the lineup, and a possible key to the future in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Andre Drummond, but the main player that would be the key to whether Detroit gets to the playoffs again or not is Josh Smith, who led the team with a 16.4 points per game average in last season's campaign.

Detroit is indeed continuing their rebuilding phase and it could take a lot of time for it to come into fruition, but a young, talented lineup and a veteran coach in Stan Van Gundy could turn things around for a struggling Pistons team that is hoping that a surprising run may happen this season, and it could give them the confidence they need down the road.

Upcoming team previews in the "30 Teams in 30 Days" series

• Tuesday: Cleveland Cavaliers
• Wednesday: Toronto Raptors
• Thursday: Boston Celtics
• Friday: New York Knicks
• Saturday: Brooklyn Nets
• Sunday: Philadelphia 76ers
• Next Monday: Washington Wizards
• Next Tuesday: Charlotte Hornets