Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
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Nikola Jokić had positive things to say about the growth of the Detroit Pistons.
On Feb. 3 the Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets 124-121. It was a battle between two of the top teams in the league as Nikola Jokić finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
The Pistons won its third consecutive game after beating the Nuggets and have won five of its last six games. Two years ago the Pistons were one of the worst teams in the league and now Detroit is the top team in the Eastern Conference and one of the top teams in the league. Jokić has noticed the turnaround Detroit has made and he has a lot of respect for that team.
“I remember them, like, three, four years ago, they’ve grown so much, their players have grown so much, their chemistry has grown so much,” Jokić said. “They have the dude. Cade is playing at a high level, getting everybody involved and he’s really good at it, and everybody else is thriving around him. They have some really good pieces that play their roles. That’s why they’re No. 1 in the East.”
Nikola Jokić Praising the Detroit Pistons
Jokić had his work cut out for him against the Pistons. Detroit is a physical team and plays with a lot of energy. Jokić understands the Pistons aren’t the same team from previous years. “We know they are No. 1 in steals and blocks,” he said. “They’re handsy, they have some really good personnel, they push you off screens, they’re good with that.”
The Pistons won both games against Denver this season and have shown why it’s one of the top teams in the NBA. Jokić knows what it takes to win a title and knows what a winning team looks like. He said Detroit has some good pieces and everybody understands their role on the team. That’s what it takes to win and this season the Pistons have put the league on notice.
Detroit Pistons Continue to Dominate
This could be the year where the Pistons could make a deep postseason run. Detroit has the pieces and the coaching. Led by two-time All-Star Cade Cunningham, Detroit has built that team chemistry which has played a key factor in the teams success this season.
The Pistons also have another All-Star in Jalen Duren, who was selected to his first All-Star Game this season. Detroit is young too and have a good number of veterans as well. The No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference made a move before the trade deadline as Jaden Ivey was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric and a 2026 first-round pick swap from the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the addition of Huerter and Saric, Detroit adds another high-level shooter and a productive big man.
Detroit has played well against the top teams in the league which is a good sign. If the Pistons finish as the top team in the conference, it would be the first time since the 2005-06 season that the team goes into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed. Detroit will be a team to keep an eye out for throughout the remainder of the season.