Detroit Basketball is Back—And It Feels Damn Good
- Montezz Allen
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
Man, I can’t believe I’m about to say this… but my Detroit Pistons are balling!
Not just playing decent basketball—balling out of control! I might need to hit up my eye doctor because I can't believe what the hell I'm witnessing.
We talk about turnarounds in sports, but what’s happening in Detroit right now? It feels good to watch.
From Rock Bottom to Running the East
Let’s keep it real—last season was a disgrace.
14 wins.
A 28-game losing streak—the longest in NBA history.
A 9-50 record through 59 games.
You couldn’t watch this team without feeling like you needed a drink.
It was dark times, man.
Real dark.
Fast forward just one year—the Pistons are now 33-26 through 59 games, winners of eight straight for the first time since 2008.
In their last 35 games? 24-11.
Detroit is playing winning basketball again.
Now, let me be clear—I’m not saying the Pistons are about to crash the Finals party or even make a deep playoff run.
But after all the losing? After all the jokes? It just feels damn good to see this team competitive again.
Cade Cunningham is HIM
If you ain’t been paying attention, let me introduce you to the reason behind this resurgence: Cade Cunningham.
The No. 1 pick from 2021? That dude.
The way he’s playing right now? It’s looking like the Pistons finally have a true franchise player to build around.
25.7 PPG
9.5 APG
6.3 RPG
45.9% from the field
And oh yeah, he was an All-Star this season.
And if we’re being real? He deserves an All-NBA nod, too.
Cade’s game is smooth, patient, and calculated.
He doesn’t rush, doesn’t get rattled, and doesn’t need to force anything.
He’s getting to his spots, breaking down defenses, and making the right plays.
This is his team.
No more debates.
No more waiting.
Detroit has its star.
JB Bickerstaff: Coach of the Year?
Let’s put some respect on JB Bickerstaff’s name.
When Detroit fired Monty Williams after that train wreck of a season, folks were skeptical.
Was Bickerstaff really the right guy to clean up this mess?
Fast forward to now, and the Pistons are one of the best stories in the NBA.
This isn't just about the record. This team actually has an identity now.
They play defense.
They move the ball.
They play hard every damn night.
This ain’t that soft, finesse, no-effort brand of basketball we’ve seen in the past.
This is Detroit basketball.
Tough. Physical. No fear.
That’s Bickerstaff’s impact.
The Pistons used to fold in close games—now they’re winning them. It’s no coincidence.
If this man doesn’t get some Coach of the Year votes, we're rioting.
How Long Until Detroit is a Contender?
Alright, so we know the Pistons are back on the map. But let’s talk about the real question—how long before they’re actually competing for a championship?
Look, I love what I’m seeing, but let’s keep it a buck.
They still need another piece.
Cade is a superstar in the making, but every superstar needs a running mate.
MJ had Pippen. Shaq had Kobe. LeBron had D-Wade, then Kyrie, then AD. Steph had Klay.
Who is Cade’s guy?
Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and Isaiah Stewart are all young and talented, but are any of them that dude? A legit second option? Someone who can take pressure off Cade and close out games?
Nah.
Could Detroit Land a Star?
Let’s be honest—Detroit hasn’t exactly been a free-agent hot spot.
But winning changes things.
If the Pistons keep this up, if Cade keeps proving he’s HIM, and if they make a playoff run, suddenly, Detroit starts looking like a place where stars want to play.
The front office has cap space and assets to make a move.
If a big-name player becomes available—say, a disgruntled All-Star looking for a fresh start—the Pistons could actually be in the mix.
Look at what the Knicks did with Jalen Brunson. He got there, they built a winning culture, and now the Knicks have Karl-Anthony Towns.
Detroit could do the same with Cade.
The Bottom Line: The Pistons Are BACK
For the first time in a long time, Detroit basketball is relevant again.
Not as a rebuilding project. Not as a team with “potential.”
No, the Pistons are actually winning games and making noise in the East.
And it feels damn good.
Now, are they championship contenders yet? No. But after last season’s nightmare, seeing this team fight, compete, and WIN again? That’s enough—for now.
Give it another year or two. Let Cade keep cooking. Get him some real help.
And who knows?
Maybe we’ll be talking about another Pistons banner before the decade is up.
Detroit basketball is alive again.
Y’all better get used to it.
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