How have the Detroit Pistons got off to their best start in a decade?

#2 Efficient long-range shooting carrying offense

Tobias Harris and Reggie Jackson

A common theme to the past few seasons for the Pistons is their lack of pace. They've always been in the bottom 10 of the league, which means lesser number of possessions, which in turn means they have to make each possession count and that's what they are doing better.

Last year, the Pistons averaged 101.3 points per game while shooting 44.9% from the field (22nd) and 33.0% on three's (28th). This season, the team is averaging 106.5 points per game on 46.4% shooting from the field (11th) and 38.0% from long range (8th). Their shooting numbers have essentially gone from the bottom 10 to the top 10.

Another way to be efficient is reducing turnovers. They currently average 13.3 per game (3rd-best in the league). They were good on defense even last year (11th) but they just couldn't score enough to mount a challenge. Not the case this year.