Detroit Pistons Make History with Epic Turnaround: Playoff Bound After Years of Struggles
The Detroit Pistons have made headlines recently, and for all the right reasons. Just a year ago, they were at the bottom of the NBA barrel, grappling with the longest single-season losing streak in league history and finishing with the worst record in the league for the second consecutive year. It was a tough time for fans and players alike.
But team owner Tom Gores had seen enough of the losing. Determined to turn things around, he made some bold moves less than a year ago, including a staggering $65 million decision to part ways with coach Monty Williams. This gamble has paid off in a big way, leading to an unprecedented turnaround for the franchise.
Under the leadership of Cade Cunningham, the Pistons have transformed from a dismal 14-win season to an impressive 44-38 record this year. This 30-game improvement is the best in the league for any team that had previously won fewer than 20 games in a season. In fact, Detroit has become the first NBA franchise to triple its total number of victories from the previous year in an 82-game season.
"I haven't seen anything like it," former NBA coach Dwane Casey remarked in an interview, reflecting on his extensive experience in the league. And he's right; this kind of turnaround is unprecedented.
As the Pistons prepare for their first playoff appearance since 2019, they are set to face off against the New York Knicks on Saturday night. "It's surreal that we're here when you look back at what this team had been through when we took the job," said general manager Trajan Langdon. "It's incredibly gratifying, and I'm so happy for the players who made it happen."
Gores purchased the Pistons back in 2011, during a time when the once-great franchise was struggling to find its footing. Over the years, he has faced challenges in finding the right mix of management, coaching, and players to lead the team to success. Before this season, the Pistons had only managed one winning record under Gores, who also has a stake in the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers. The team had been swept in the first round of the playoffs six years ago, and their playoff losing streak had extended to 14 games, dating back to May 26, 2008.
Casey, who experienced some of the team's struggles firsthand, was fired by the Toronto Raptors in 2018 just days after winning the NBA Coach of the Year award. He then led the Pistons to a .500 record and a playoff appearance the following season. However, the next four years saw an average of just 20 wins, leading him to resign and take on a senior advisory role as the team hired Williams. Unfortunately, the Pistons' performance continued to decline, with only 14 wins in one of the worst two-year stretches in league history.
Refusing to let the franchise stagnate, Gores made pivotal decisions that ultimately turned the tide for the Pistons. He fired general manager Troy Weaver after four unsuccessful years, a move that surprised no one, and then shocked many by letting go of Williams after just one season.
"Everybody thought it was crazy to let the coach go," Casey noted. "It took a lot of guts to do that." And it certainly took a lot of money, as Gores paid Williams $65 million to part ways last May. He then brought in Langdon, who quickly made changes, including hiring J.B. Bickerstaff shortly after the Cleveland Cavaliers let him go.
"Tom Gores' decision to move on from Monty created a domino effect, and it's a move most owners would not have made because of his contract," said former NBA player and TV analyst Jalen Rose. "The fact that he was willing to blow it all up sent a message to everyone, including media and fans, and then he hired one of the hottest GM prospects when he got Trajan."
The Pistons' success this season has also been bolstered by the performance of their star player, Cade Cunningham. Drafted first overall in 2021, Cunningham received a five-year contract extension worth at least $224 million last summer, and he has certainly made that deal look like a steal. This season, he became an All-Star for the first time, averaging 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. He has transformed from a promising player with injury concerns into a durable, All-NBA caliber candidate.
"It means everything," said shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., one of the key veterans acquired last summer alongside Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley. "A lot of this would not be possible without him."
While the turnaround has been remarkable, it’s important to note that it might not have happened if Gores had given Williams another chance this season. However, Gores has been quick to deflect credit, emphasizing the contributions of the players on the court and the coaching staff. "It means a lot, but we're not done," Gores stated. "The story has just started."
