1 week Ago By Jonah Kubicek, NBA Analysis Network
The Detroit Pistons had one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history, and they’re only just getting started. The 2007 Boston Celtics won only 24 games before adding Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, and they won the NBA Finals in 2008, which is largely considered the greatest turnaround in NBA history. However, this season, the Detroit Pistons became the first team to ever triple their win percentage from the year prior, where they won only 14 games.
The Pistons are heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, and led by All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham and a physical crew supporting cast, it wouldn’t be shocking if they upset the New York Knicks in the first round to win their first series since 2008. The Pistons are tough, mean, and seem to be here to stay. Cunningham has blossomed into one of the best players in the NBA, head coach JB Bickerstaff has the young team playing better than anyone could have imagined, and the rowdy team, spearheaded by Isaiah Stewart , is embodying the Bad Boys of the past .
However, Stewart is quick to give another young star plenty of credit. Detroit Pistons are built to fight While Stewart often goes viral for chasing down opponents ( including LeBron James ) and racking up technical fouls, he isn’t the only player unafraid to get physical. Ron Holland, Cunningham, Bickerstaff, and Jalen Duren have all been ejected this season, usually to thunderous applause from the Detroit crowd.
Fans haven’t had much to cheer for in recent years, but the Pistons are well-known historically for their physical play, from the Bad Boys of the 1980s and ‘90s to the “Goin’ to Work” squad of the 2000s. Cunningham is leading the way, as outlined by Stewart. “He’s been growing so much, he continues to improve his game, watching him as a rookie to now is just his pace, how he slows the game down, nobody can ever speed him up, he just does what he wants to do out there, it’s fun watching him, you give him a paint brush and he starts to paint,” praised the backup center.
However, as Detroit continues to gain experience and improve, another bright young player is emerging as a centerpiece. “Oh man, he’s a dog, he’s a monster, he’s a real life tank,” said Stewart of starting center Jalen Duren. “He’s young, he’s still growing, and his ceiling, the potential he has, is limitless.
” This season, Duren is averaging a double-double for the second season in a row and is much improved on the defensive end. Injuries limited him in his first two NBA seasons, but now that he’s healthy, he’s one of the best lob threats and pick-and-roll players in the league. “JD (Duren) catching them lobs, we joke about it, we always tell JD get up, go catch it, it’s fun watching JD just jump and then catch it,” continued Stewart.
Detroit’s culture is improving The last time the Pistons won a playoff series was 2008. Since then, the Detroit Lions became the first NFL team to go 0-16, the Tigers lost 114 games, and the Red Wings snapped a 25-year playoff streak. While all four teams are on the rise, the Pistons have taken it upon themselves to build a culture that embodies Detroit.
They’re gritty, physical, and unafraid of seemingly anything despite being the underdog. As far as the players are concerned, it starts and ends with Bickerstaff, who took over for Monty Williams this offseason. The Bag Boys and Goin’ to Work teams that won titles emphasized one thing and one thing only, and Bickerstaff is getting in tune with Detroit’s history .
“Defense,” has been what Bickerstaff brings to the table, claims Stewart. “He spoke to me he felt I would thrive being back at the five, just being who I am. Being gritty, being that dog in the paint, me and him, that’s when we hit it off right there.
” Last season, the Pistons had the 25th-ranked defense in the NBA. This season, it’s in the top ten, and Stewart’s role off the bench has helped set the tone for the Pistons, who are the most promising young team in the Eastern Conference. This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.
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