The Detroit Pistons have emerged as a surprising contender in the NBA, leading the league in wins throughout January and boasting a winning record at the midway point of the season. After their victory against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the Pistons improved their record to 21-19, marking their first winning record at the season’s midpoint since the 2017-18 season.
Once the butt of jokes in the league, the Pistons have transformed their reputation under the guidance of new coach JB Bickerstaff. Center Isaiah Stewart expressed the team’s newfound confidence, stating, “We believe we can beat anybody. That’s our belief. We’re good enough to beat any team in this league.” This collective confidence is fueling their performance as they uplift one another to achieve their best on the court.
Last season, the prospect of the Pistons competing against any team would have seemed laughable, as they endured a historic low, losing 28 straight games, which became the longest losing streak in NBA history. Their struggles saw them sitting with a dismal 4-37 record through the first 41 games, leading to changes in the coaching staff and significant disappointment among fans and ownership alike.
However, after a shaky 0-4 start this season, the Pistons have remarkably turned their fortunes around, winning 10 of their last 12 games and currently leading the league with seven wins in January alone. With Cade Cunningham’s impressive performance, averaging 24.5 points, 9.4 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game, he may well be on his way to becoming Detroit’s first All-Star since Blake Griffin in 2019.
Cunningham expressed gratitude towards his teammates and coaching staff, emphasizing the need for continued effort as they look to build on their success. The team has already surpassed last season’s total win count of 14 and is on track to exceed their season-long win total set at 25.5 by sportsbooks.
Coach Bickerstaff acknowledged the importance of surrounding Cunningham with the right support to facilitate his success, noting that they have developed a better understanding of how to complement each other’s strengths throughout the season. He asserted, “Our job is to put him in position to be successful.”
Bickerstaff himself is experiencing a turnaround, having been dismissed by the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, who are currently enjoying a stellar record. Meanwhile, the Pistons have joined other teams like Oklahoma City and Chicago in exceeding pre-season win projections, demonstrating that the Pistons’ success in January is particularly noteworthy in assessing surprises this season.
The coaching staff and players alike have emphasized the team’s adaptability and resourcefulness in finding various ways to secure wins. While it may be premature for Detroit fans to make playoff plans, the team’s performance reflects significant progress, suggesting that real hope may be on the horizon for a franchise that has been in a playoff drought for 17 long years, spanning numerous players and coaches.
As the season progresses, optimism grows for the future of the Pistons and their loyal fan base. They are not simply counting wins; they are building belief, camaraderie, and a vision for a brighter basketball era in Detroit.
