These Are The Same Old Pistons
Enough losing. The Pistons have to win - now - as the fanbase teters on the verge of chaos.
The Detroit Pistons need a win tonight.
It has been a brutal start to the season for the Pistons. In four games against four playoff teams from last season, the Pistons are 0-4. In three of the four losses, Detroit was leading in the 4th quarter.
Detroit is the worst 4th quarter team in the league with a -28.0 net rating and a 42.9% true shooting percentage. This number is 9% worse than the Spurs – who rank 2nd to last in 4th quarter true shooting percentage.
Disappointing. Unacceptable.
So, onto tonight. The Philadelphia 76ers await the winless Pistons. This version of the Sixers is more beatable than Detroit could have possibly imagined. Former MVP Joel Embiid and perennial all-star Paul George are both out for the game as they battle knee issues.
This game serves as a prime opportunity for Detroit’s new coaching staff, front office, and roster to get their first win of the season.
Is tonight a must win? This early in the season it seems silly to say something of the sort – but it may also be a fair claim in this case.
The close losses have been deflating. Not just for the Pistons, but for an overly anxious fan base as well.
The reactions to these losses have been met with heavy criticism from a fan base desperate to see winning basketball.
Questions about Cade Cunningham’s ability to perform in the clutch moments have been brought to light. Will he quell the turnover issues that have plagued him in the first four games? Concerns are mounting that the highly-touted free agent signing, Tobias Harris, may not be able to fulfill the expectations set by the Pistons for his role of stabilizing offensive presence.
The Detroit faithful are sick of being fans of the laughing stock of the NBA. They want to believe this team is finally headed in the right direction. They want to believe that the star the franchise has built around is capable of leading this team to winning basketball games.
Despite being 0-4, the Pistons look like a much different team compared to last season. Although it has not translated to statistical success, Detroit is competing harder defensively.
Cade Cunningham has had several monster performances. Jaden Ivey has had flashes of greatness. The team has strung together good quarters and have played good games.
Yet, it has not been good enough.
For Detroit, they must use the tough schedule that they have endured at the start of the season to capitalize on weaker opponents when presented to them. The 76ers serve as just that opportunity.
The Pistons must win, or frustrations will continue to boil towards a breaking point so early into what was supposed to be a more promising season – maybe not playoff-promising, but more promising than this.
5th game and teams are already sitting their starters? We saw this last year. Is it possible that our bench still isn’t strong enough to hold a lead, or rest our starters so they burn out in the 4th? Who is our backup point guard? Why is Stew still playing? Where is our bench? Why are our shooters still missing? Applaudable effort on Defense is not enough to win if you have no shooters. Sick of this.