Image of Cade Cunningham shot for BULLYBALL by Zariq Turner
Fifteen.
Fifteen years is all it takes for one of the NBA’s most historic franchises to fade into one of the most embarrassing.
Fifteen years of bad ownership, bad management and bad luck.
Fifteen years of nothing but despair, defeat and disappointment.
Fifteen years of bad basketball.
Shot by Zariq Turner for BULLYBALL
“We all knew there were a couple things we were missing, a couple pieces. I don’t like to use the excuse we were young, but we were young…From then to now it was expected,” Jalen Duren told BULLYBALL.
It turns out it only takes two years to turn it all around.
For the longest time it became increasingly difficult to write, and I’m sure even harder to read, about the Detroit Pistons. Conversations over regime changes or player development felt pointless and ingenuine when losses became the assumption. Memories of a successful and accomplished past became so removed they feel almost forgotten.
Now, with a solidified superstar alongside a cast of young, proven and impactful players, the Detroit Pistons had an opportunity they haven't faced in many years; Winning playoff basketball games. While the season's conclusion may not have gone as expected, with expectations seemingly as high as ever before, it is the time to act upon them.
Increase in interest
Now at season's start, excitement surrounding the Detroit Pistons is greater than it has been in recent memory. After one of the most significant and controversial offseasons in team history, with online engagement and fan support at an all time high, the team has also curated one of the better in-person environments within the association.
For many years it seemed as if the Detroit Pistons were the odd man out in regards to Detroit sports. With the Tigers and Red Wings experiencing more recent bouts of success, the continuation of football being “America’s Sport,” and the blight of a basketball team left with seemingly no foundation or direction, fandom interest understandably plummeted.
To put it simply, the Detroit Pistons have now finally given fans tangible reasons to care.
Narratives of lottery projections and long-term potential don’t engulf online discussion. Coaching concerns and front office deficiencies no longer plague the organization. Social media debates amongst talking heads and content creators alike are flooded with rumors and supposed trade reports. Even walking the streets of Detroit, Pistons gear, memorabilia and overall representation is starting to reappear within the city once again.
The “Swag Cam” on the jumbotron during games is just one example of not only the Pistons embracing the city’s culture, but Detroit again embracing the once storied franchise.
Shot by Zariq Turner for BULLYBALL
From twenty-sixth in fan attendance in the 2020-2021 season to sixth only five years later, the once historic franchise has officially again found its footing.
Increase in expectations
After last season, nothing less than championship contention should be on anyone's mind within the organization. However, with still plenty of time until real discussions/decisions need to be made at the February 11th trade deadline, the Pistons immediate goals should be to evaluate and curate their playoff roster and rotation as there are still some questions and concerns that should be addressed.
With the constant discussions, rumors and reports of trade and contract negotiations that continued to create news headlines, the Pistons were easily one of the most notable teams of the offseason. The trade of Isaiah Stewart, the longest tenured Piston, was the first step in the process.
With finally a contractual resolution on both Ausar Thompson of Jalen Duren’s front, fans now can truly see the direction Trajan Langdon and company are headed, however, there are still a few questions going into the season that need to be answered for.
Who will be the Detroit Pistons secondary creator on offense?
Trade rumors to acquire superstars have circled media outlets and dominated headlines all offseason. However, the Detroit Pistons were never able to pull the trigger and make a splash. Instead, once again, the organization has decided to rely on internal development to take on that role. With the big pay days for Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson there is certainly hope for growth for them on the offensive side of the ball, however only time will tell if those hopes are realistic for a championship contender. Will either be able to constantly become a viable secondary option next to Cade Cunningham on a playoff team?
Will we see a more diversified offensive philosophy?
Shot by Zariq Turner for BULLYBALL
All preseason the Detroit Pistons showed a different approach on the offensive side of the ball. More ball and player movement. Ausar on-ball reps, even with Cade on the floor. And perhaps a revamped Jalen Duren who has something to prove. All of this combined with an influx of shooters throughout the roster, will the Pistons have a less heliocentric offensive structure this season, and what will this look like?
Was this offseason enough?
Despite the immense amount of attention the Detroit Pistons garnered over this offseason for the aforementioned trade rumors or splash signings, they decided on keeping it simple.
Retaining the majority of the roster, besides Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart, and acquiring John Collins and Isaiah Joe. While not the most inspiring additions, especially from a fandom standpoint, these players fit within the context of what the organization is trying to build.
Both are great shooters relative to their position. Collins is a phenomenal athlete and rebounder who will replace many of Tobias Harris duties, while Joe is a sparkplug shooter off the bench who has been one of the most reliable in the league the last half decade. Both fit around the core of Cade/Ausar/Duren. While many don’t believe the team has taken a step back, the overarching question is, did they do enough to be a real championship contender this season?
What is next? What does the future of the Detroit Pistons look like?
Shot by Zariq Turner for BULLYBALL
The Detroit Pistons and Trajan Langdon have put themselves in a spot where they have a plethora of options going forward. With a combination of young prospects, future draft capital, and tradeable contracts, the Pistons are in a position where they can try to make moves at the deadline to fit the core, whether that be along the margins or a splash. Or they can continue to push the moves down the line. Regardless of your personal opinion, having these options is important in deciding the future of the franchise.
I’m not sure there was a single solution to re-engage fans outside of simply winning basketball games, and over the last two seasons these results have shown true.
Faith is earned, not given and Trajan Langdon and company have done more than enough over the last two seasons to earn the general trust of most Pistons fans. Despite some divisiveness over trade or free agent aggression, turning a fourteen win roster into a sixty win one only two years after joining the organization should grant some good grace.
While there still may be long-term questions about overall roster construction surrounding the current core, contractual concerns, and championship windows, Pistons fans were praying on ping-pong balls to determine their future not long ago.
Although last season's accomplishments shouldn’t be diminished, it should now be time for the Pistons to move past competing solely for playoff positioning to also preparing for post-season play. With the added experience the Pistons should be able to experiment with lineup structure, play types, and individual player abilities to best equip themselves for basketball into the summer months.
While there is still plenty of story to be told on this current iteration of Detroit Pistons basketball, expectations only continue to build, aspirations continue to rise, and the cultivation of an avid and passionate fan base only continues to grow.
At the end of the day, Pistons fans just wanted to watch good basketball in the city again.