Detroit Pistons Best In EAST After 3-0 Start?! Doubters… Where They At?

Detroit, MI – Preseason narratives surrounding the Detroit Pistons centered on doubt, steps back and not enough done to keep up in the NBA’s improved eastern conference.

Three games later and the story lines are quickly taking a different turn.

And it’s not just that they’re winning, but how the jobs getting done. In Detroit style a mix of grit and flair has accompanied the fundamentals necessary to winning.

Despite facing injuries to young stars Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson, the Pistons identity was still on full display. Confidence has been high internally since the off-season and the early chemistry is a sign of the buy-in to JB Bickerstaff’s way.

“I still feel like we’re slept on,” star Cade Cunningham said. “People don’t really give us credit we earned.”

After a top 5 MVP season, it’s easy to understand Cunningham having a strong belief. But it speaks volumes when players with less fanfare exude just as much moxie on and off the court.

“We feel like we the baddest dues in the world,” Daniss Jenkins proudly boasted. “Every time we step on the court we try to show that.”

Stepping up in place of Ausar Thompson, Daniss Jenkins showed this teams philosophy is more walk than talk in a win over the 76ers. And it’s taking over the entire roster at a time when next man up has become a need.

Ron Holland took on defensive responsibility versus Jaylen Brown at a level that would make Thompson proud.

Although Duren is scheduled to miss the next few weeks, confidence rides high that John Collins and Paul Reed will hold down the fort. They took turns dominating the paint physically against the 76ers bother offensively and on defense.

PISTONS THE NBA’s BEST ‘3 & D’ TEAM?!

Aside from roster depth the Pistons are boasting, another feather to consider is their potential as the NBA’s best ‘3-and-D’ team.

The foundation of their success has been how well they’ve shot the ball from behind the arc mixed with a top 10 defense.

Through three games the Pistons are 3rd in three point percentage and 4th in attempts. Duncan Robinson and John Collins have been absolute snipers! Who called 50% from three for Collins to start the season? He’s shooting 7-14 from outside, while still bringing the muscle inside when needed.

Robinson has been as big a benefactor of Trajan Langdon’s off-season moves as anyone else on the team. For all the noise generated to put shooters around Cade, many underestimated what it would do for others on the team. He’s averaging 5 made threes a game while scoring just under 20 PPG.

Despite losing Isaiah Stewart and Tobias Harris, the Pistons have surprised many with how well the team has played defense. Although Bickerstaff warned imposing physicality was part of his programs identity, doubters eyebrows are still raised.

Why? Because even without Jalen Duren and all-world defender Ausar Thompson, the Pistons still held Philadelphia 76ers to 93 points. The only team to hold the 76ers to under 100 points scored this season.

This season the Pistons are top 6 in defensive rating according to NBA Advanced Stats. They also hold at least top 5 status in points allowed, steals (2nd), rebounds (3rd) and blocks (4th).

REAL OR FRILLS?!

It’s a great sight seeing the Pistons play to Detroit’s approval level. But many still doubt what they see now, is the real deal. They’ve made their name kicking down walls of disbelief. Do you think they will keep the show going on Broadway versus the Knicks?!