The Detroit Pistons may not have the flashiest top end in the revamped Eastern Conference, but they might have something just as annoying for the rest of the league: a bench that never lets up.
That showed up immediately in the first preseason game against the Suns, when Detroit’s reserves helped erase an 18-point deficit. The comeback was built mostly on defense, with steals, hustle and a group that kept flying around no matter who was on the floor.
For JB Bickerstaff, that kind of depth is going to create a real rotation problem. He has more NBA-caliber players than minutes to give out, and that’s before even counting rookie Ebuka Okorie or reserve center Tolu Smith. Bickerstaff has never shied away from leaning on a deep bench, and this group gives him the chance to keep doing exactly that.
The identity on that end of the floor also seems intact. Even with Isaiah Stewart gone, Detroit still brought the same edge against Phoenix in the second half.
Nearly every player who checked in picked off at least one steal, and by the end of the night the Pistons had piled up 21 steals and eight blocks. Twelve players recorded at least one steal, and five had more than one.
Preseason basketball can get messy, and this one certainly did, so nobody should expect those numbers every night. But the bigger takeaway was how consistently the Pistons chased deflections, hit the floor and tried to make something happen on defense.
John Collins said after the game that his new teammates’ defense was infectious and made him want to dig in even more, and that kind of energy seemed to run through the roster.
Detroit may eventually need to trim some of this depth in a trade, but for now there’s a clear path: use it, keep everyone fresh, limit the wear and tear and make opponents miserable. Daniss Jenkins, Ron Holland II and Javonte Green all bring that nonstop motor when they enter the game, and they help set the tone for the rest of the group.
Kevin Huerter added two steals, Isaiah Joe and Taurean Prince each had one, and the Pistons finished the job by beating the Suns with superior depth.
In Other News...
Ebuka Okorie Just Gave The Pistons A Tough Rotation Decision
Rookie Ebuka Okorie made a strong first impression in the Pistons opening preseason game, checking into the last 10 minutes and showing enough scoring touch and control of the offense to turn a routine look into something more interesting. For a team trying to sort through a crowded guard rotation, that kind of burst can matter, especially when it comes from a young player who has already earned praise from coach J.B. Bickerstaff for his poise and work ethic.
Okories performance only sharpens the competition for backcourt minutes as the preseason unfolds. Detroit has options, and that makes every strong stretch feel both helpful and complicated, because the Pistons also want to see what the rookie can do in different looks as they keep evaluating lineups and roles. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Durens Preseason Timeline Is Suddenly A Pistons Concern
Jalen Durens preseason has already become something worth monitoring for the Pistons after he sat out Detroits first exhibition game. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is taking a cautious approach with the young center, treating this stretch less like a runway for big minutes and more like a chance to make sure he is ready without being pushed too fast.
The bigger picture is familiar for Detroit: Duren turned in a breakout regular season, but the playoffs exposed areas that still need work, especially on defense. Bickerstaff and Duren both have acknowledged that development remains part of the process, and the preseason is supposed to be one of the first places that work shows up. For now, the question is less whether Duren will be part of it and more how carefully the Pistons choose to manage the path there. [Read more 🡒]
Ron Holland Is Pushing For A Pistons Role That Could Matter Fast
The Pistons are sorting out a backup power forward picture that could become important quickly, and Ron Holland has put himself right in the middle of it. Detroit entered camp with Holland, Taurean Prince and Javonte Green all in the mix for those minutes, and the early read is that the staff wants to use the spot situationally rather than hand it to one player outright. For Holland, that means opportunity is already there, but so is the need to show more on the offensive end as he tries to carve out a dependable role.
Coach JB Bickerstaff will ultimately decide how that rotation shakes out, and the fit could change from night to night depending on what Detroit needs. Hollands athleticism gives him a real opening, while Prince and Green bring different skill sets that keep the competition from being settled too soon. For the Pistons, it is the kind of position battle that may not grab headlines now, but could matter fast once the regular season starts. [Read more 🡒]