John Collins did not wait long to show Detroit what kind of edge he brings.
In his preseason debut for the Pistons against the Phoenix Suns, the team’s biggest free-agent addition made an immediate impact - and not just with the box score. About five minutes into the first quarter, Collins and Suns forward Dillon Brooks got tangled up while battling for position on a rebound chance after an Isaiah Joe three-point attempt. Collins came down with the board, but Brooks hugged him up before he could go back up for a putback.
That was enough for Collins to respond. He reached out with his right hand and grabbed Brooks by the neck, making it clear he wanted no part of the extra contact. Teammates stepped in to separate the two before the officials sent the play to replay.
After a lengthy review, the referees assessed Collins a Flagrant One for holding Brooks by the neck and gave Brooks a technical foul for his part in the altercation.
The sequence fit the moment Detroit seemed to be looking for. Collins is usually known for explosive alley-oop finishes, not early-game dustups, but he showed he is willing to mix it up when things get physical. For a Pistons team built around toughness and teammates backing each other up, that kind of response plays.
He also gave Detroit something useful on the court. Collins finished with ten points and three rebounds in less than 17 minutes in the Pistons’ preseason win. And after the skirmish, he was seen talking with All-Star center Jalen Duren about how they could work together in the frontcourt.
That’s the kind of pairing Detroit is hoping to unlock. If Collins can bring some of the edge Isaiah Stewart gave the team for years while also adding offense, the Pistons could stay competitive in the East even after losing Tobias Harris to San Antonio.
Detroit did have to fight through a rough first half against Phoenix, but the response after the break was encouraging. Four players finished with exactly ten points, while reserve forward Ron Holland II led the way with 14.
The Pistons’ next chance to get Collins on the floor comes Saturday, Oct. 10, when they travel to Washington, D.C., for a preseason game against the Wizards. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. from Capital One Arena.
In Other News...
Isaiah Stewarts Rough Memphis Start Says A Lot About Detroits Decision
Isaiah Stewarts move from Detroit to Memphis was supposed to be a fresh start, a chance to see how his rugged game would translate in a new setting after the offseason trade. Instead, his first few minutes with the Grizzlies brought a familiar worry back into focus. Stewart has long played with the kind of physical edge that makes him valuable, but also the kind of style that invites questions about how long it can last when the games get heavier and the calendar gets longer.
The early setback in Memphis only sharpens the reason the Pistons were willing to move on. Detroit had concerns about whether Stewarts approach could survive the grind of a deep postseason push, and the new chapter opened with another reminder that durability is part of the evaluation. For a player whose edge has always been tied to his strength and activity, the bigger question now is whether that same identity can stay on the floor when it matters most. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Trade That Felt Empty Suddenly Has Something To Prove
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One of the names worth tracking is Ebuka Okorie, a pick-swap selection who has flashed promise in preseason and given the front office at least a reason to keep watching. Kevin Huerter is also in the mix after getting through offseason surgery and looking ready to help as a versatile bench option, giving the Pistons a healthier, more experienced piece to lean on as they try to squeeze something tangible out of a trade that has not yet paid off in the obvious way. [Read more 🡒]
John Collins Already Brought An Edge Pistons Fans Will Notice
The Pistons got a pretty clear look at John Collins edge early in the preseason opener against Phoenix, when he and Dillon Brooks got tangled up in a physical exchange that set the tone for a chippy night. Brooks was assessed a technical foul and Collins was hit with a flagrant 1, the kind of sequence that immediately catches attention in October even if it wont mean anything once the games start counting for real.
Brooks later disputed the technical, while Collins made it clear he is ready for the kind of physical battles that come with an NBA season. For Detroit, that matters as much as the call itself. The Pistons are still sorting out how much toughness and bite they can consistently bring, and Collins already showed he is not going to shy away from that side of the game. [Read more 🡒]