Detroit Pistons
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The Detroit Pistons are the top team in the Eastern Conference and Stephen A. Smith believes they could win a championship.
The Detroit Pistons have been one of the hottest teams in the league and are currently the No.1 team in the Eastern Conference. They have the second-best record in the league behind the defending champions, Oklahoma City Thunder.
Stephen A. Smith talked about Detroit on a recent episode of First Take and made a bold prediction about the team. “Detroit can win the championship. The Detroit Pistons, as presently constructed can win the ship,” Smith said on the show.
First Take
“Detroit can win the championship. The Detroit Pistons, as presently constructed, can win the ‘ship.” 👀 @stephenasmith on the Pistons after their win against the Knicks 🏀
The Pistons recently defeated the New York Knicks 121-90 in dominating fashion and that win let the league know that this team is for real and they can compete with any team. Detroit’s last title came in 2004 and Smith believes this team has a good shot at competing for another one.
Detroit Pistons Are One of the Best Teams in the League
Detroit has made a complete turnaround over the last few years. During the 2023-24 season the Pistons only won 14 games. Last season it was a completely different story. The team showed tremendous improvements winning 44 games and making a postseason appearance for the first since the 2018-19 season.
This season, the Pistons are on track to surpass their win total from last season. Through 36 games, the team already has 27 wins and are not showing any signs of slowing down. Defensively, the Pistons have caused problems for their opponents.
They lead the league in blocks per game at 6.3, are top three in rebounds at 46.3, and are fourth in points allowed 112.1. This Detroit team has displayed toughness and grit so far this season. With a superstar like Cade Cunningham leading the charge for Detroit, the team has multiple role players who compliment each other well.
Detroit’s bench has been productive throughout the season and has helped the team pull up some tough victories. Players like Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland, Javonte Green, and Marcus Sasser have stepped up and produced while they’ve been on the court.
Can the Pistons Win a Championship?
While Stephen A. Smith believes this team can win a championship, the team’s record and style of play certainly backs his claim. With back-to-back wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Knicks, the Pistons have shown that they can compete with the top teams in the conference.
“I’m very concerned about the Detroit Pistons, there’s something special going on,” Smith said. “They got leadership, they got athleticism, they got defense, they got perimeter shooting, and they have a closer. Cade Cunningham is that dude and J.B. Bickerstaff can coach.”
The Pistons continue to build on that team chemistry that they have and each player on that team is bought in and embraces that Detroit culture. If this team can remain healthy and continue to play the way they have, Detroit could go into the postseason as the top seed in the East.
Detroit got a taste of the postseason last year and the players who were on that team last year haven’t forgotten that feeling of defeat. The Pistons have something to prove this year and are looking to bring that trophy back to the Motor City.