It's quite apparent that it isn't easy to please Stan Van Gundy.
Asked about the play of Detroit Pistons swingmen Kyle Singler, Caron Butler and Cartier Martin, who combined for 54 points and nine triples in the 109-103 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night in the preseason finale, Van Gundy was complimentary – to a point.
"I think all our wing guys played very well tonight – on the offensive end of the floor," in an obvious dig at a team that allowed the expected-to-be-awful 76ers to shoot 47.3% and keep the game close.
But you can excuse the fan base for being excited about the prospects.
The Pistons, who finished the preseason 5-2, shot 53.6% on 3-pointers, making 15 of 28. The total bests any night from last season, when they were a horrific outside shooting team.
Seven Pistons made three-pointers – and they were without two of their better shooters in Jodie Meeks (back) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee strain).
So shooting appears to have gotten better.
"You have a lot guys that can make shots and stretch the floor," Butler said. "It keeps guys honest for our best one-on-one post players to get the ball and distribute and facilitate or score and take advantage of mismatches because we're extremely long in the post."
Another debut: Point guard Spencer Dinwiddie's recovery from knee surgery dominated the headlines Thursday night, but another Piston made his team debut.
Big man Joel Anthony, acquired from the Celtics for Will Bynum last week, saw his first action as Greg Monroe had the evening off as the team prepares for his two-game suspension to start the season.
He scored four points in 18 minutes and grabbed two rebounds. He provided to key blocks down the stretch as Van Gundy went with him instead of a listless Andre Drummond in crunch time.
Note: The Pistons announced today that they have exercised team options on the contracts of center Andre Drummond and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Both contracts are now extended through the 2015-16 season.