Two years after their disastrous 14-win season, the Pistons are currently the No. 1 force in the East with a 28-9 record
Fourteen wins in a season and 28 consecutive defeats, the worst negative streak in NBA history: 2023/24 season. That’s where the Detroit Pistons started, now the leading force in the East with 28 wins and 9 defeats, the second best record in the league behind only Oklahoma City’s 31-7. After the elimination in the first round of last year’s playoffs, the progress was very rapid and surprised everyone. The last time Detroit had a winning percentage this high at this point in the season was January 2008, 18 years ago.
THE STAR
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Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham. The point guard is averaging 26.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 9.7 assists, numbers that legitimize the “Mvp, MVP” chant that is starting to be heard with increasing frequency at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons’ first overall pick in 2021 was named Player of the Month for November, a period in which Detroit equaled its longest winning streak: 13. The former Oklahoma State player finished October and November averaging 28.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 9.4 assists, shooting 45.6% from the field in 17 games played. A large point guard (two meters and one hundred kilos), Cunningham is first among NBA guards for points scored in the area and, in the last quarter, second in the league for points and assists. A star presence, solid and reliable. It is undoubtedly his best season: he has an impact in rebounding, defensively he steals balls, and in the pick and roll he not only creates for himself but opens spaces and is masterful in creating opportunities for his teammates. The Cunningham-Duncan Robinson duo is the one with the most assists converted into triples in the entire league. The three-point shot remains one of the aspects in which Detroit can grow in view of the postseason, and it is also one of the reasons that led to the arrival of Robinson in place of Simone Fontecchio. Cunningham’s growth has dragged that of the entire group. Starting with Jalen Duren. The 22-year-old center is a defensive mainstay and offensive end who goes far beyond the lobs. The way he attacks the rim after the block, combining power and coordination, is one of the keys to why the Pistons are the best team in the NBA in the paint. Chosen at number 12 of the 2022 Draft, at just 18 years old and still technically raw, he has become one of the most appreciated centers in the league: this year he averages 17.9 points and 10.6 rebounds. With Duren and Isaiah Stewart, Detroit is dominating the floor on defense as well. When Stewart (2.1 blocks avg.) protects the rim, opponents shoot at the worst percentage in the league: 41.6%. And in the last win against Chicago, without Cunningham, he scored 31 points. “He sets the tone every single night,” Coach Bickerstaff said.
Jb Bickerstaff and the defense
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The creator of the leap in quality is JB Bickerstaff, named coach of the month for November. He re-founded Detroit’s defense, a process that began last year and which today translates into 6.5 blocks per game (best figure in the league) and in the second best defense in terms of defensive rating, still behind Oklahoma City. But above all he instilled a winning mindset. Detroit plays an aggressive defense, they are always physical, they are relentless in rebounding and take effective shots near the basket. Everyone is involved: from Ivey to Harris, from Ausar Thompson to Green. The team benefits from a continuous and shared internal growth path. Bickerstaff has great faith in the group and this is reflected in his choices. An example: against Chicago he threw the rookie Lanier into the fray, bringing him in cold after three quarters to attempt a comeback. “It’s the group and all the credit goes to them,” Bickerstaff said after another night in which the Pistons won despite initial plans not working. “It’s a group of guys who are willing to put themselves aside and do what’s right for their teammates. I can’t tell you everything they do, the things you don’t see, to put themselves in the best position. The commitment they have to each other is special and it’s a blessing for me to be a part of it.”
mentality
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The Pistons are also one of the best teams at managing games: 23 wins and only one defeat when they take the lead in the fourth quarter. They are solid, always in the game, so much so that they have only lost twice by double digits, no one does better. If this first part of the season has made it clear that Detroit can aim to win in the East, mental toughness will be the real test in the playoffs. The numbers tell the story of a complete team: unique in the league’s top five for points in the paint (2nd), points from turnovers (3rd), fast breaks (3rd) and second chances (5th). Duren and Tobias Harris recently sat out injuries. Duren is close to returning, while Harris will still need at least a week. Despite this, Detroit has won three consecutive games, after losing three of four. He has found rhythm and above all defensive solidity, without being crushed by the pressure of being in the lead in the East, with all eyes on him. The victory a few days ago against New York was particularly felt by the group. “It’s a new season, so we’re trying to put everything behind us. Obviously we knew there was something more to this game – we wanted to beat them, there’s no need to hide it in the locker room. But we’re just trying to continue what we’ve been doing all year and keep our momentum going,” Cunningham said. Last year it was the Knicks who interrupted the Pistons’ playoff journey in the first round (4-2): an experience that accelerated the awareness of their possibilities. Now they know what awaits them in spring.
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