The other team to grab headlines this season has been the Detroit Pistons and their incredible turnaround, breaking records and exceeding expectations all year. That’s not surprising given their league-leading 57 technical fouls this season. Their new, aggressive playing style is the embodiment of a physical identity that pays tribute to their celebrated 1980s roster. The Pistons have assured themselves of their first winning season since 2015-16. Not only that, they became the first team in NBA history—aside from those who played in a lockout-shortened season—to triple their win total from year to year.
Now with Cade Cunningham manning the lead guard position, the team has taken tremendous steps. Cunningham is right now day-to-day with a calf injury, but his return to play is coming along very well. He’s on pace to become the first player in Pistons’ history to average 25 points and nine assists for a season. His performance has been instrumental in the team’s success, contributing to a 28-game increase in wins—a feat that ranks as the seventh largest in NBA history.
A Record-Breaking Season
The foundation for the Pistons’ success thus far this season is readily apparent when looking at their stats. Along the way, they’ve tied the mark for biggest win increase by a team that had the worst record in the league the year before. That would tie them with the 2008-09 Miami Heat. That achievement is all the more impressive given the difficult path they paved last year.
The rookie Cade Cunningham has already etched himself out as the franchise player, pacing the squad in scoring and assists. His possible historic averages are a testament to his phenomenal individual talent. Most importantly though, they tell the story of his extraordinary capacity to make everyone around him better. He just recently strained a calf muscle, so now he’s listed as day-to-day. Regardless of his position, his contributions remain key to the Pistons’ success.
Alongside the positive effect of Cunningham, Malik Beasley has proven to be an important weapon on the bench. He’s averaging 15.4 points off the bench, second only to former Timberwolves star Jamal Crawford on the league’s bench-scoring list. His 3-ball competence has made the Pistons’ offense more diverse, complementing Cunningham’s playmaking gifts.
Defensive Resilience
In addition to their offensive prowess, the Pistons have made their mark all season long with strong defensive play. And defensively, they’re just as effective, allowing an average of 113.1 points per game, good enough for 6th-best in the league. Their willingness to impose their own disruptive and physical brand of defense is indicative of the larger identity of their transformational 1980s predecessors.
According to their own statistics, their aggressive style has led to massive disciplinary sanctions. The combination is lethal isolation leading the league in technical fouls and 20.7 personal fouls per game (3rd most in the league). This threat can lead to punitive measures on the court. Yet it further reveals just how serious their intent is to compete at the highest levels.
It’s been the blend of dominant offense and stifling defense that’s helped the Pistons hit their groove during this early season. Their ability to balance these elements significantly contributes to their newfound success and marks a turning point for the franchise.
Future Prospects
As the season unfolds, certainly one of the most intriguing storylines will be Cade Cunningham’s return from injury and back to his first overall pick form. The Pistons’ resurgence this year starts and ends with him staying healthy and continuing to produce at this level on multiple impressive performance metrics. If he’s back and healthy sooner than later, he’ll reestablish himself as arguably the best player in the league.
Additionally, with Malik Beasley in the fold to stretch the floor and shoot lights out, the Pistons have all the makings of a juggernaut. Beasley has broken records himself with his ridiculous 292 treys in a reserve role. This incredible accomplishment is a testament to his incredible talents and sets a new standard for shooting accuracy throughout the organization.
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