Detroit has transformed from a feel-good story into a legitimate playoff contender this season. Just a year ago, they had a recorded just nine wins at this point in the season and finished with a total of 14 wins and 68 losses, the worst record in the NBA. Now, they are eight games over .500, boasting an emerging young superstar and a promising future. The Pistons not only have a strong chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019, but they are also poised to be a tough opponent for any team they face.
Last week, the Pistons secured one of their most impressive victories of the season, defeating the defending champion Celtics 117-97. This win highlighted the combination of talented young players and experienced veterans like Jalen Duren and Malik Beasley that the Pistons have brought together. It's rare for teams, especially young ones, to demonstrate such significant growth, but the crucial factor for Detroit has been their defense. Last year, the Pistons had the fifth-worst defense in the NBA. Currently, they are ranked 15th defensively, showcasing the improvement in the team's mentality and roster.
At the center of their success has been Cade Cunningham, who has evolved into an elite NBA point guard. This season, Cunningham is averaging career highs in scoring, assists, rebounds, and field goal percentage, which helped him earn his first All-Star nod. If he can replicate his level of play in the postseason, the Pistons can make noise in the first round and possibly beyond.
Detroit has won nine of their last ten games and is arguably playing better than any team in the Eastern Conference, except for Cleveland and Boston. They are currently just a half-game behind the Bucks for the fourth seed in the East. If they finish as at least the fourth seed, it will mark their first time having home-court advantage in the first round since 2008, when they last reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
The remarkable improvement of the Pistons this season has been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA, especially considering their struggles in recent years. A significant amount of credit goes to J.B. Bickerstaff, who is a strong contender for Coach of the Year. He has successfully led this young Pistons team to unexpected heights. If the Pistons maintain their high level of play, I expect them to secure one of the top four seeds in the Eastern Conference and have a chance to win their first playoff series in seventeen years.
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