Detroit Pistons Validated, Not Satisfied Clinching Playoff Spot

DETROIT, MI – Hey, Detroit Pistons? You there? I just called to say I love you.

A season after winning just 14 games, the Pistons have restored faith to the fan base after securing a playoff spot and clinching at least a .500 record. And they are far from satisfied with their eyes set on more. A whole lot more.

Some would expect for the Pistons to just be happy with the vast improvement this year. But head coach JB Bickerstaff hasn’t allowed his team to get comfortable. He has wanted more all season, including after some wins. If the standard wasn’t met, then he wasn’t happy.

But why press and expect more of a team that’s already exceeded expectations? Because Bickerstaff believed in the talent that was already on the roster.

“The talent was already here,” Bickerstaff admitted when asked about believing in this team from before the seasons started.

Coach Bickerstaff refused to let this team believe it was as bad as their record would indicate the last few years. And it’s produced historic results.

The Pistons became the first team in NBA history to triple their win total from the season prior. That distinction comes over two back-to-back season of full 82-game schedules. The Charlotte Bobcats went from seven to 21 from 2011-13, but the 2011-12 season was shortened to 66 games due to the lockout, according to Pistons PR.

Defense

The Bobcats modest attainment didn’t amount to much success after, and neither did the Pistons last two times they made the playoffs. So what makes this time different after the last 15 years of a an underperforming organization, trying to get it right?

For one, they finally have the young pieces necessary for long terms success. When the Pistons made the playoffs during the Blake Griffin’s best NBA season, they had nowhere to go but down given their cap situation.

But the current team has had good regular season success driven largely by the young core. And with a favorable cap outlook they will be able to do more in order to build back to championship level.

Another major reason you can believe is the attention the Pistons pay to defense. Beyond just knowing it’s what the prior teams have done, it’s what Bickerstaff’s team is known for.

Grit, physicality and pushing the level of aggression on defense has been a stable of their historic run from 14 wins the season prior to playoffs the next.

It’s been evident with the eye test, but the stats have been a slam dunk.

More Business to Handle

Since February 1 the Detroit Pistons have been a top 5 Net-Rating team. They’ve ranked 5th in offensive rating and third defensively, while establishing an identity of tough nosed play.

They’ve been in their fair share of scuffles, pushing matches and yelling matches including the “tussle at the Target Center” between Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves.

It can all be traced back to a true renewal to restore the Pistons back to valuing each and every possession. In the process they found how good of a team they were when turning good defense into offense.

But before getting into what they can do beyond this season, the Pistons are hungry for more this year. Despite a really good turnaround this year, the Pistons haven’t allowed for feelings of complacency to set in.

“They’re so locked in to what we’re trying to do big picture,” JB Bickerstaff said. “ Right now they’re only focused on the moment that’s in front of them.”

“They don’t look down the road, their focus is being dialed in and how we prepare for these last games”

Instead they’re seeking to turn a playoff spot into a whole lot more this post season. Just like another Detroit team in the Tigers, who made a better than expected run during the MLB playoffs just a year ago.

The season is already a success but they can really prove something with a playoff appearance that ends with more wins than either of the previous two combined.