The Detroit Pistons Have Finally Established an Identity
After years of being a bottom-dwelling defense, the Pistons are cementing themselves as the hard-nosed, physical team that brought championships to the city in prior decades.
For years, the Pistons have come into the season saying the same thing.
They have gone on and on over the years about wanting to play tough, physical defense — in memory to the championship Pistons teams that have come before them.
But Detroit's defense has finished in the bottom ten in each of the past three seasons. In the past two years, it has been in the bottom four in defensive rating.
Rather than paying homage to the famously great defense of Detroit’s past champions, they disrespected a franchise known as the home of the most physical and ruthless defenders in the league’s history.
Enter J.B. Bickerstaff.
"They've bought into the idea of playing in the mud. We get you in the half-court, we drag you in the mud, and let's see how much fun you have there,” Bickerstaff said prior to Detroit’s loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. “That's our mindset because we feel that we can thrive in that position."
Bickerstaff’s team has repeatedly dragged its opposition into said mud. The Pistons’ 111.4 defensive rating is the 10th-best defensive rating in the entire NBA. A team that has perpetually struggled to play defense has quickly become one of the league’s best on that side of the court.
This type of turnaround is nothing new for Bickerstaff, who did something similar with his previous team — the Cleveland Cavaliers. When he joined the Cavs, Cleveland was coming off back-to-back seasons of owning the worst defensive rating in the league. In his second to last season with the Cavaliers, Cleveland had the best defensive rating in the NBA. Last season, they finished 7th while missing their best defender, Evan Mobley, for a good chunk of the year.
Bickerstaff built a defensive identity in Cleveland. This identity translated into several playoff appearances throughout his tenure as the team’s head coach.
Now, he is trying to replicate this same success in Detroit - with its defense leading the charge.
“Our defense is only as good as each man on the floor. So, if we have a guy who is not committed to the defense our defense simply won't work. Defense is about commitment. It’s something that we focus on everyday as a coaching staff.”
The plan is working — for now.
“I think our identity as a team is becoming very clear. Guys know exactly what is expected of them every single night. They know how to hold each other accountable; they have bought into it. We are still a work in progress, no doubt about it, but the vision and expectations of this team are very clear and the commitment to those expectations are very high.”
Commitment to improvement on the defensive end has come from the top of the roster down, including Detrioit’s franchise guard, Cade Cunningham. He has noticeably improved defensively, especially in key moments. One of those clutch defensive plays this season includes a game-winning block in a win against the Atlanta Hawks earlier this year.
The Pistons are 7-9. They are in 7th place in the Eastern Conference.
As of now, Detroit is a playoff team. They endured a brutal schedule to open the season — facing playoff teams from last season in each of their first six games. The Pistons went 1-5 in that stretch. Since, Detroit is 7-3. Callused by a difficult schedule and several close losses, the Pistons have risen from the depth of the Eastern Conference and appear to be a much different team from years past.
Bickerstaff is happy with his team, but not satisfied.
“I am satisfied with the growth of this team from the beginning of the season to now, but I want to hold us to a high standard every single day to try to be better than yesterday.”
Finally, the Pistons are living up to their word. The Pistons play defense. They are physical. They are intense. They are not afraid to bump and talk at opponents.
An identity is being built. The same identity that led the franchise to its several championships.
The hard-nosed, stifling Pistons defense is here.