PistonPowered
Fansided

Detroit Pistons: Top five moments from the Stan Van Gundy era

By Brenden Welper

DETROIT, MI - JULY 26: Detroit Pistons president of operations, Stan Van Gundy helps announce they will add Flagstar Bank as a sponsor on the left chest of the new uniforms on July 26, 2017 at the Nike Store in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JULY 26: Detroit Pistons president of operations, Stan Van Gundy helps announce they will add Flagstar Bank as a sponsor on the left chest of the new uniforms on July 26, 2017 at the Nike Store in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
AUBURN HILLS, MI – APRIL 8: Reggie Jackson #1 of the Detroit Pistons goes to the basket against the Washington Wizards on April 8, 2016 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by B. Sevald/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI – APRIL 8: Reggie Jackson #1 of the Detroit Pistons goes to the basket against the Washington Wizards on April 8, 2016 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by B. Sevald/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

April 8, 2016: Pistons clinch playoff berth in 112-99 win over Wizards

If the defining achievement of the Stan Van Gundy era was 2016’s playoff berth, then the night it was clinched has to be No. 1 on this list.

In front of an eager Palace crowd, Jackson was busy doing 2015-16 Jackson-type things. There was no hesitation from the point guard, who sought to attack the basket whenever possible.

He dropped 39 points on just 14-for-20 shooting, while dishing out nine assists. He also went 4-for-5 from beyond the arc.

In a game where Drummond was clearly off (eight points, six rebounds), it was the Pistons’ wings (Caldwell-Pope, Marcus Morris, Tobias Harris) who aided Jackson that evening. All three were on the receiving end of his drive-and-kicks.

The trio combined for 44 points on 15-for-28 shooting, and 7-for-14 from behind the long line. Detroit shot 46.8 percent overall, and 43.8 percent on 3-point attempts.

The 112-99 victory over the Wizards ended Detroit’s seven-year playoff drought.

Now normally, clinching a playoff berth in the NBA shouldn’t warrant a celebration. But for a franchise that had been through ownership changes, player mutinies, and a general lack of interest, this was a moment where all of it could be forgotten. If only for a short while.

Next: Pump the brakes on Glenn Robinson III

Neither Van Gundy, nor the Pistons, could replicate that success in the following two seasons. He was then fired in May, after missing the playoffs for the third time in last four years.

Home/Pistons History