AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- After returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and being swept in the opening round by the eventual champions, the Detroit Pistons have a pretty obvious challenge ahead.This young team has the potential for more growth in Stan Van Gundys third season as coach and could certainly advance further in the postseason if things break right. But the Pistons should take nothing for granted.Its a new year, and we have to go through the process. You cant skip steps, Van Gundy said. We made the point to guys -- this isnt a continuation of last year, we dont start at 44 wins and the eighth seed in the playoffs and try to climb. You start at zero wins and no guarantee of anything.Detroits 44-38 mark last season was good enough for a long-awaited postseason berth, and a four-game loss to Cleveland wasnt too much of a downer after everything the Pistons had accomplished. With Andre Drummond back and signed to a long-term contract, Detroit has a solid nucleus to build around, but the next step wont necessarily be easy.The Pistons return their starting five of Drummond, guards Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and forwards Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris. They expect to be without Jackson for a while at the beginning of the season because of knee and thumb problems.While the Pistons have a long way to go before standing toe to toe with Cleveland atop the East, there appears to be enough parity among the conferences other playoff-caliber teams that a move up the standings is plausible for Detroit.Here are a few more things to watch with the Pistons this season:DRUMMONDS FREE THROWSDrummond has made 38 percent of his free throws for his career, a figure thats caused Van Gundy to take his star big man out of games at crucial moments. Drummond has used virtual reality in an effort to improve at the line, but it remains to be seen if his offseason work will pay off.JACKSONS INJURIESJackson averaged 18.8 points and 6.2 assists last season, forming an impressive point guard-center tandem with Drummond. The Pistons announced Oct. 10 that he would miss six to eight weeks after receiving platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. If Jackson is able to come back on that timetable, hed still have a chance to contribute plenty this season, but the Pistons want to make sure they dont fall too far behind while hes out.NEW ADDITIONSDetroit signed guard Ish Smith in the offseason, and his role figures to increase while Jackson is out. The Pistons also brought in forward Jon Leuer and drafted 6-foot-11 forward Henry Ellenson out of Marquette in the first round.NEXT STAR?Stanley Johnson averaged 8.1 points a game as a rookie, and at age 20 has the potential for a big leap this season and next. His athleticism on the wing could become a real asset if he develops into a more consistent player at both ends.QUESTIONSVan Gundy said recently the backcourt rotation was still an issue entering the season. Darrun Hilliard showed poise when called upon last season in limited duty, and 6-foot-7 rookie Michael Gbinije could add versatility if he proves hes ready to play at the NBA level.Those two spots Im not totally clear on right now going into the season, Van Gundy said. I know what were doing at center, I know what were doing at the three and the four primarily. Its, what are we doing at the one and the two off the bench?---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister Cheap Nike NBA Jerseys . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. Stitched Nike NBA Jerseys . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.cheapjerseysnba.com/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Wholesale NBA Jerseys Store . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cheap NBA Jerseys China .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- Mackenzie Hughes figured he was down to his last chance to stay alive in a four-man playoff Monday morning in the RSM Classic.The Canadian rookie with pluck and a pure putting stroke poured in an 18-foot par putt from off the 17th green at Sea Island, and that last chance turned into his first PGA Tour victory when the other three players all missed from 10 feet or closer.I made the putt of my life right there, Hughes said.Hughes calmed his nerves and came up clutch in the 42-degree chill, becoming the first PGA Tour rookie in 20 years to go wire-to-wire for his first victory. The final day of a long year on the PGA Tour brought a most unlikely finish.Hughes had a chance to end it Sunday night until his 10-foot birdie putt in the dark on the 18th hole turned away. The next morning, he was the only player who was never on the green at the par-3 17th until his ball was in the cup.Blayne Barber, Henrik Norlander and Camilo Villegas narrowly missed their par putts to extend the playoff.Hughes was watching from off the green, and the prospect of winning became more real with each putt that missed -- first Barber, then Norlander. And when Villegas missed his 7-footer, Hughes dropped his putter, turned his back on the green and knocked off his cap as he rubbed his head in disbelief.If I didnt make, I thought I was probably out, Hughes said. Before I hit it, the thought was, `Just make them think about it. Put this putt in first, and if you can be the first guy in, put the pressure back on them. And thats what happened.The victory sends the 25-year-old Canadian to the Masters. One of his most vivid golf memories as a kid in Ontario was watching Mike Weir win the green jacket in 2003.He was texting me last night a little bit, Hughes said. Its pretty cool to have a guy like that to lean on for advice.Billy Horschel was eliminated from the five-man playoff on the first extra hole Sunday night when he narrowly missed a birdie putt, then shockingly missed a 2-foot putt. Hughes putts so well it was mildly surprising when he missed his 10-foot putt on the second playoff hole.It ate at me a little bit knowing that I had 10 feet to win it, he said. But I came out here to ttry to clear my mind, tell myself that I have a one-in-four chance.ddddddddddddThe odds looked worse when his 4-iron bounded over the green and down a steep slope. Making the pitch shot even more difficult is that the pin was 15 feet from the back edge, and the green ran quickly away from him. His pitch was a few feet from being perfect, but instead it stopped short of being on the green.Norlander was in the front bunker, while Barber was left of the green and Villegas was just over the back. Barber and Villegas used putter for their second shots.The last rookie to go wire-to-wire for his first win was Tim Herron at the 1996 Honda Classic. Hughes started this week with a 61, and he led after every round until he was posing with tournament host Davis Love III with the trophy.Hughes, who closed with a 69 and finished at 17-under 265, capped a memorable fall season.He began his rookie season by playing the final two rounds with Phil Mickelson and tying for 13th at the Safeway Open. Mickelsons caddie, Jim Mackay, said in a text message Saturday night, I really like his moxie, hes got guts.In his only week off this fall, Hughes and his longtime girlfriend from Kent State, Jenna, were married. They plan a honeymoon in the offseason, and now he gets to plan a schedule that includes Kapalua, Augusta National and the PGA Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he lives.Hughes earned $1.08 million.Villegas and Norlander do not have full PGA Tour cards, and a victory would have changed that. Villegas got into the field as a past champion, while Norlander has no PGA Tour status and received a sponsors exemption.Villegas had made every big putt, from his birdies on the 16th and 17th in regulation to his 6-foot par putt on the 72nd hole to join the playoff, and another tough 4-foot putt in the dark Sunday night to stay alive. He missed from 7 feet Monday.I just pushed it a tiny bit, Villegas. But once again, Im proud of myself. We want to win a golf tournament, so you go with a little bittersweet, but youve got to look at the positive and keep moving forward. ' ' '