The Motor City Cruise Demand Your Attention.
Stanley Umude conferring with Jared Rhoden against the Iowa Wolves, November 5th, 2023. Shot by Zariq Turner for Bullyball.
Times have been bleak for Pistons fans, and it appears hope is at an all-time low amongst the die-hards. There is a burning desire for a winning basketball team in Detroit, and those looking should be glad to know, there is one. The Motor City Cruise, as of the writing of this article, find themselves starting the season 4-0, most recently clawing out a thrilling comeback victory against the Iowa Wolves. Among those leading the charge in the heroics were Jontay Porter (21pts, 20 reb, 6 blk) and Tosan Evbuomwan (24pts, 5 reb, 5ast).
“Winning, it means the same thing to everybody.” Jamele McMillan said this on media day when asked about the importance of winning while having a relatively young, developing team. There is a level of toughness, and resilience within this team that has been apparent since my very first observation of the team a little less than a month ago at media day. It is apparent new head coach, Jamelle McMillan, has struck a chord with this roster. There was a lot of talk about how winning and development go hand in hand by McMillan, and so far, that could not be truer.
The Cruise opened their season with a Jared Rhoden masterclass, dropping 26 (!!) points in the first half, 36 overall in a win against the Grand Rapids Drive. Rhoden, 24, is coming into his second season in the NBA and NBA G-League on his second two-way with the Detroit Pistons. That identity of toughness starts with him, the former Seton Hall wing plays with a certain type of tenacity and ruthlessness every team needs. His level of aggression is comparable to that of a Russell Westbrook on the court, mean-mugging and not backing down to any opponent. Rhoden isn’t afraid of anyone, jarring with what seemed like the entire Iowa Wolves roster in the chippy November 14th matchup. “JR (Jared Rhoden) is very intense, which we love. You always need a player that’s gonna go out there and make it a little chippy, make it competitive. Cause that’s how we’re building, at practices we’re always going at each other,” Zavier Simpson told Bullyball after that November 14th victory.
Since, the Cruise have found other two-way Pistons/Cruise player Malcolm Cazalon to be a major help with their early success. Cazalon is only 22, and is entering his rookie season after being an undrafted free-agent quickly scooped up by Pistons’ GM Troy Weaver. The French 6 '6 wing is averaging 23.5 points in his last two games, proving he can be a dynamic scoring option for the Cruise and a potential candidate to do the same with the main squad. Tosan Evbuomwan, a member of the Pistons Summer League team, has also hit his groove early on. Much like Cazalon, Tosan was an undrafted free-agent the Pistons had an eye on. The Newcastle born, Princeton (yes, Princeton where he was the 2022 Ivy League Player of the Year) alum, is 22 years old figuring out his game as it goes. And, it is going swimmingly so far Evbuomwan is averaging 21 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the last two games.
Jontay Porter against the Iowa Wolves on November 14th. Shot by Zariq Turner for Bullyball.
Jontay Porter has also been incredible to start the season. The Cruise big man is only 24 years old, a year younger than his brother Denver Nuggets’ SF/PF, Michael Porter Jr. Jontay came into this season with a lot to prove, not only to the league but also to himself. “I’ve had to battle a lot of really upsetting losses with my knee history and back stuff. Just really proving to myself that I belong playing domestic on the professional level,” Porter told the press at media day. Porter has made good on his aspirations for himself thus far averaging 20.5 points and 16.5 rebounds in his last two games, a key contributor to the Cruise’s undefeated start.
Tosan Evbuomwan helping Treveon Graham up during the November 14th, 2023 matchup against the Iowa Wolves. Shot by Zariq Turner for Bullyball.
The team is simply playing fun basketball, and it’s time fans reward them with their viewership and attention. The G-League has been growing in popularity over the last few years, slowly but surely, and the Cruise has been consistently competitive since its first season in 2021. This year, however, might not just be competitive, it might be laying the groundwork for a genuine culture with McMillan at the helm.