Are the Detroit Pistons Finally Ready to Make Some Noise Again?

NBA opening night for the 2025-26 season is just days away. October 21st, to be exact.

And if you’re from Detroit like I am, you’ve got every reason to feel something this year.

Something different. Something like… hope.

My Pistons are a storied franchise, man. We don’t do mediocrity; we do moments.

We had the Bad Boys — Zeke, Joe D, Laimbeer and those boys running through the league in the late ‘80s. Back-to-back championships.

Then came the 2004 squad — Chauncey, Rip, Tay, Sheed, and Big Ben — who took down the mighty Lakers 4-1. That team was pure Detroit. No superstar, just grit, defense, and “don’t try us” energy.

But after that? Whew.

From 2019 to 2024, we were straight up the laughingstock of the league. We went 94-290 in that stretch and didn’t sniff the playoffs once.

That’s not Detroit basketball; that’s depression basketball.

But now? Now it’s a new day.

We brought in JB Bickerstaff, and boom — went from 14 wins to 44 wins, a playoff berth and even took the Knicks to six games in the first round.

That’s growth. That’s progress. That’s a pulse.

And it all starts with one man ... Cade Cunningham.

Cade’s entering his fourth season, and last year he went full I’m him mode: 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game on nearly 47% from the field and 36% from three. Made his first All-Star team and even snagged All-NBA honors.

He’s the face of the franchise. The leader. The culture.

But now, the question is: Can Cade Cunningham take that next step — to MVP level — and carry Detroit to the Eastern Conference Finals?

Because the talent is there. Ausar Thompson looks more confident and polished. Jalen Duren is a double-double machine with shades of a young Dwight Howard. Jaden Ivey, when healthy, brings that burst and scoring pop we need in the backcourt.

And shoutout to the front office; picking up Duncan Robinson (a legit sniper) and Caris LeVert (a proven bucket-getter) was smooth. Those were grown-up moves. You can tell Trajan Langdon and JB want to win now.

But the real test is this: Can the Pistons handle being respected again?

Because last year, they were the hunters. They were the fun, young squad catching teams sleeping.

Now?

They’re the hunted. Teams are circling Detroit on the schedule again. And that means the nights get longer, the games get tighter, and the excuses get smaller.

Depth-wise, we’re solid: Cade. Tobias Harris. Ivey. Duren. Stewart. Robinson. LeVert. That’s a strong 7. But every playoff team’s got depth.

The real question is, who’s that second star when Cade gets trapped?

Because if Detroit wants to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, they’ll need another killer. That guy who says, “Nah, don’t worry Cade, I got this one.”

Could it be Ivey? Maybe. Could it be Tobias? Possibly. Could it be Ausar? If that jumper comes around, don’t rule it out.

But one thing’s for sure ... the energy in the D feels real again. The Pistons aren’t some rebuild story anymore. They’re a statement waiting to happen.

And this season? It’s time to find out if they’re contenders… or just content.

Because Detroit deserves better. We’ve been patient long enough.

It’s time to get back to that real “DE-TROIT BASKETBALL” energy.