The Detroit Pistons aren’t just turning heads this season - they’re demanding respect. A 5.5-game cushion atop the Eastern Conference doesn’t happen by accident, and it’s time to acknowledge what’s unfolding in the Motor City. This team has taken a leap, and it’s not just a hot streak - it’s the result of real growth, smart decision-making, and a clear identity.
Let’s start at the top. Head coach JB Bickerstaff and the front office deserve serious credit for setting the tone.
The culture is sharp, the rotations are clicking, and the young core is blossoming. Cade Cunningham is playing like a legitimate All-NBA candidate, and he’s doing it with poise and purpose.
His ability to control pace, create in tight spaces, and lead in big moments has become the heartbeat of this team.
But Cunningham isn’t carrying this load alone. Jalen Duren, just 22 years old, is making a strong case for his first All-Star nod.
He’s become a force in the paint on both ends, giving Detroit a physical presence that sets the tone. Isaiah Stewart continues to evolve, bringing toughness and versatility.
Ausar Thompson’s impact goes beyond the box score - his defensive instincts, transition play, and energy are vital. And rookie Ron Holland is carving out a role with maturity beyond his years.
The result? A team with the third-best point differential in the league and the second-stingiest defense.
That’s not a fluke - that’s a formula. A team with this kind of defensive backbone, a go-to scorer in Cunningham, and a frontcourt that can control the glass is built for postseason basketball.
They have the tools to make a deep run. But here’s the catch: they also have a glaring weakness that could send them home early.
Detroit’s biggest issue is no secret - they simply don’t shoot the three well enough, or often enough. They rank 28th in 3-point attempts per game and 21st in 3-point percentage. That kind of inefficiency from deep is a problem in the modern NBA, especially when the playoffs come around and defenses tighten up.
Duncan Robinson has been a lifeline from beyond the arc. He’s responsible for nearly a quarter of Detroit’s made threes this season - a staggering number when you consider the Pistons rank dead last in total 3-point makes. For context, only four other teams have a player accounting for more than 24% of their threes, and two of them - the Pelicans and Mavericks - are built around elite offensive creators.
Cade Cunningham is Detroit’s second-most prolific shooter with 78 made threes. That’s a bottom-four mark among second options leaguewide, alongside teams like Orlando, Memphis, and the Lakers - all of whom are struggling to space the floor consistently.
Compare that to teams at the top of the standings, where second options like Tim Hardaway Jr. in Denver (140 makes) and Anthony Edwards in Minnesota (156) are lighting it up. The gap is clear.
This isn’t just a regular-season concern. In the playoffs, where game-planning is more precise and possessions are magnified, Detroit’s lack of perimeter shooting becomes a major liability.
Opposing defenses will collapse the paint, double Cunningham, and dare the Pistons to beat them from outside. That’s a tough ask with only one consistent shooter on the floor.
It also creates tough lineup decisions. You want Ausar Thompson on the court - his defense and athleticism are too valuable.
But he needs shooters around him to keep the offense flowing. Conversely, you need Robinson’s shooting, but his defense can be exploited in the postseason.
That’s the kind of tradeoff that can swing a series.
Now, this isn’t a call for Detroit to mortgage the future. They don’t need to go all-in for a big-name player like Michael Porter Jr.
That kind of move might disrupt the chemistry and long-term plan that’s working so well. But there’s a middle ground - and it’s one the Pistons have to explore before the trade deadline.
There are shooters out there who could be had for a reasonable price. Look at what the Trail Blazers just did - they added Vit Krejci from the Hawks for Duop Reath and two second-round picks.
Krejci isn’t a star, but he’s a 6'8" wing shooting 42% from three this season. That’s the kind of low-cost, high-impact move Detroit should be targeting.
Add one or two of those pieces, and suddenly the Pistons look a lot more dangerous. The defense stays elite.
The interior dominance continues. The Cunningham-Duren pick-and-roll becomes even harder to defend.
And with better spacing, those transition opportunities and offensive rebounds turn into more efficient possessions. That’s a playoff recipe.
This doesn’t have to be the Pistons’ title year. But it can be a year that sets the stage - a year where young players gain playoff experience, the team builds confidence, and the front office shows it’s willing to make the right moves to support a rising core. That matters.
What they can’t do is stand pat and hope this weakness doesn’t bite them. The players have earned more than that.
The fans have waited long enough. And the future of this team - one that looks increasingly bright - deserves every chance to shine.
There’s a window here. It’s not about swinging for the fences - it’s about making sure you don’t strike out looking.