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'Starts with me': SVG takes blame for Pistons' struggles

Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Stan Van Gundy is doing his struggling Detroit Pistons a solid.

With questions circling his underachieving roster - specifically franchise cornerstones Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson - in the wake of losing a fifth game in six tries, Van Gundy played the martyr.

"I think it’s pretty clear from these six games I’m not finding the answers and not doing a very good job," Van Gundy told Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.

"It starts with me. I’m the person in charge. I selected everybody in that locker room. I’m the one that wanted them in there. I decide who plays. I put lineups out there. I decide on defensive coverages. I call plays."

Van Gundy holds significant sway over all levels of basketball operations with the Pistons, so he can hardly be spared of blame. However, the struggles largely link back to Detroit's star players.

Drummond and Jackson have both taken marked steps backward following career years. For that reason, Detroit's starting lineup - which dominated teams last season has been vastly outperformed by its bench this year.

It's tough for any coach to win at any level if their best players aren't performing, but Van Gundy insists on taking the blame.

"It’s all on me. I’m not running from that. Right now, we’ve gotta find a way to get it back."

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