Only two years ago the Detroit Pistons finished their season with a 14-68 record, this year, 36 games into the season, the team is first in the eastern conference with a 27-9 record.
Hardly anybody thought the Detroit Pistons would still have the best record in the eastern conference at this point in the season, but the Pistons started off the season with something to prove. Last year the Pistons were eliminated in the first round after losing to the New York Knicks in game six of the first round of the NBA playoffs. It was a tough, physical series where the Pistons showed that they belonged battling close with one of the best teams in the NBA.
The Pistons were on an absolute heater to start the season and they haven’t slowed down much since, winning 13 of their first 15 games and 14 of their last 21. Their offense runs through star duo of Cade Cunnigham and Jalen Duren, who are averaging a combined 44.6 points per game, along with that Cunnigham is also averaging 9.7 assists per game, he is playing like a true star, and turning his team around.
There are many reasons behind the Pistons huge turnaround, one of them being the coaching staff. The Pistons have had three different head coaches in the past four years, two of which struggled to lead the team to back to back winning seasons. The Pistons current head coach JB Bickerstaff in his first year with the team, led them to a 44-38 record, and a playoff appearance. He has re-instilled the Pistons bad boys mentally, shaping them into a tough gritty team that is willing and able to compete with any team in the NBA.
Another reason for the Pistons success is their offseason acquisitions in the past two years. In July of last year the Pistons traded for sharpshooting Duncan Robinson, adding shooting to their lineup of young athletic guards. They also signed two veterans in Caris Levert and Javonte Green, adding some leadership to their young roster.
The Pistons defense has been very solid as well this year, they are ranked fourth in points allowed, fourth in rebounds per game, and are first in the NBA in blocks per game. Their hustle, gritiness, rebounding, and team defense has led them to this point with a 28-9 record, and will most likely keep leading them to finish this season off strong, making an unthinkable turnaround from two years ago.
alan moss • Feb 20, 2026 at 5:52 am
I like the team defense and physicality basically. But on offense o would like to see Robinson and Heurter do more than just come down and stand behind the 3pt line. It’s like they refuse to move and cut through the lane.it would help the offense better than just jacking up 3pt shots. Sasser should get some playing time and Reed also when they at full strength. Push the tempo as Pistons are better when they play at fast pace and get the ball in the paint