Are the detroit pistons Better than last year?!

Fans are NOT happy with how the off-season has gone for the Detroit Pistons.

Despite moves that would’ve been an automatic A+ any other year of the last 20, expectations have raised after back to back playoff seasons. Disappointedly many don’t believe the Pistons have done enough to capitalize on their charge among the NBA’s top teams.

They haven’t signed a true top tier free agent during Trajan Langdon’s tenure, despite bringing in solid players like Duncan Robinson, John Collins, Isaiah Joe and Dennis Schroder. Fans applauded these moves when believing there was more to come. But as these types of moves confirm the way Langdon works, the more fans doubt the BIG star acquisition will happen.

And this matters because fans link the unwillingness to swing for the proverbial fences, to Detroit’s championship drought.

But this isn’t a trend that originated with Trajan Langdon when considering the other three in charge of leading pro teams in Detroit.

Most notably Brad Holmes of the Detroit Lions has seen the narrative change. There was a time he could do no wrong, but now apparently he’s not aggressive enough.

After years of complaining about the needs and weaknesses not being addressed, last years step back validated their concerns. Even though the Detroit Lions’ outlook is different than the fans, there’s still a split that can’t be ignored.

Fans Turning Up The Heat?

Fair or not, that has shortened the patience Pistons fans are giving Langdon. Having already endured 15 years of uninspiring basketball, the “Restore” era under former GM Troy Weaver was promised to be different.

It ushered in players who now make up the core. Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson were directly from the Weaver era, but winning was far from the mix. He failed to balance good drafting with team building via free agency. Weaver’s inability to properly build around star Cade Cunningham ultimately cost him his job. Other issues like Weaver never being able to hire his own head coach, and others in front office meddling is what lead to Trajan Langdon being hired.

The sole purpose was to reduce chefs in the kitchen and have one directive: The Trajan Way.

And who could argue with the results? The Pistons saw historical leaps to the top of the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Cunningham became a top 5 MVP candidate while Jalen Duren ascended to all-star and all NBA (3rd team) status. JB Bickerstaff was voted best coach in the NBA by his peers while Langdon’s subtle moves proved to be the missing pieces to RESTORE the team back to playoff competitiveness.

Championship or Bust for Detroit Pistons?!

Trajan Langdon has held true to his promises made during last seasons media wrap up. He stated ball handling, facilitation, and more shooting would be priority with intent to “build around the core three.”

He achieved those goals to varying degrees with additions of Isaiah Joe, John Collins, Taurean Prince and Ebuka Okorie.

Trust me. I know. The question rings loud in my head too.

“Is this a championship roster?”

I do believe the Detroit Pistons are improved over last seasons roster with more balance, shooting and ball handling. But other teams in the east have also made moves to counter the Pistons’ rise.

The Celtics shook things up, while the Magic added Nicola Vucevic to their big three. The Atlanta Hawks have had a good off-season to bolster their post Trey Young rise. The Miami Heat are pairing Bam with Giannis, and the Heat always cause issues for the Pistons. Philly is hoping a big three of Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey is enough to host a playoff series next season. Then there’s the Cleveland Cavaliers who bounced the Pistons from the playoff’s 2nd round. And finally, the reigning NBA Champions are the New York Knicks.

There is absolutely nothing sweet about the eastern conference.

Suger Free KoolAid

So are you drinking the Detroit Pistons’ Koolaid?

Gather around and I’ll tell you quickly what they’re selling reading the tea leaves:

Internal growth will prove the difference
Cade Cunningham will ascend to Super Star status
Jalen Duren will prove worth impending big contract, improve post offense, and physicality on defense
Ausar Thompson will shoot at least 30% from three, free throws rise to 70% and that he’ll be used more effectively in offensive sets
The shooting has vastly improved
Ebuka Okorie will be a major contributor year 1
The Pistons identity is Cade Cunningham
They will still be tough despite trading Isaiah Stewart
Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Joe will shoot a combined 42%+ on 12+ three point attempts a game
Daniss Jenkins and Paul Reed are ready for bigger roles both offensively and defensively

Unless another move happens, this is what NEEDS to go absolutely right for the Pistons to hold serve.

Is Trajan Langdon correct in believing Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson are enough, in a reloaded east, to take the next step?

Article written by Brandon Dent