Vince Ellis

Detroit Free Press

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- There has been a palpable confidence in the Detroit Pistons organization since last season.

Armed with a resolve forged during a competitive first-round series against the eventual NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, players have talked openly about hosting a first-round playoff series this season. Some even are talking Eastern Conference finals.

But it won’t happen unless center Andre Drummond is a consistently dominating force.

He wasn’t even close Wednesday night, when he sat for the final 16 minutes of a 109-101 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. He was completely outclassed by Brook Lopez, who went for 34 points and 10 rebounds.

Drummond’s stat line was six points and nine rebounds.

Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy rolled with Aron Baynes and Jon Leuer at center down the stretch.

“We gave him the first half and the first seven minutes in the second half, and he was just, in my opinion, bringing absolutely nothing to the game,” Van Gundy said. "I don’t know if he was tired or what the deal was, but he didn’t bring any energy to the game.”

Baynes and Leuer are fine NBA role players, but Drummond is a max-contract center coming off of an All-Star season.

Pistons fans -- and the organization -- have grown accustomed to Drummond’s lapses. He’s still young, at 23, but Drummond himself has said that’s no longer an excuse. Everyone has shown patience with him, knowing that the payoff could be immense. Drummond is the league’s best rebounder.

But there is more responsibility on Drummond’s large shoulders. And it goes beyond whether he is scoring or making free throws.

Van Gundy has said repeatedly that he can live without that stuff as long as Drummond is a rebounding and defending machine.

Other observations through the 3-2 start

No Reggie: Ish Smith is a fine backup. But he’s not Reggie Jackson, who is rehabbing his left knee.

Smith got into the lane repeatedly against the Nets but struggled to finish against length. He was 3-for-9 from the field.

With his great size and length, Jackson would have feasted against the Nets, and the Pistons likely would have pulled out a victory despite a pathetic defensive effort.

Getting buckets: Jackson said Wednesday night that his knee is feeling a lot better. He thinks he’s close to returning to basketball activities.

But Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris have shown that they can carry the scoring load, too.

They combined for 46 points on 16-for-30 shooting in the loss. It came one night after they combined for 47 points in a home victory over the New York Knicks.

Van Gundy probably should look to them more.

Contact Vince Ellis at vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.