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Detroit Pistons: Why there’s value to be found in media day

By Brenden Welper

AUBURN HILLS, MI. - SEPTEMBER 26: Reggie Jackson #1 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons poses for a photo during the 2016-2017 Detroit Pistons media day on September 26, 2016 in Auburn Hills, MI. 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 Rick Osentoski/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI. - SEPTEMBER 26: Reggie Jackson #1 and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons poses for a photo during the 2016-2017 Detroit Pistons media day on September 26, 2016 in Auburn Hills, MI. 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 Rick Osentoski/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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According to various reports, the Detroit Pistons will host media day on Sept. 24. Very little, if any, basketball-related activity will take place. But there’s still value to be had in the annual event.

The Detroit Pistons will hold their media day on Sept. 24 at Little Caesars Arena, according to a tweet from Keith Langlois.

Rod Beard of The Detroit News first reported the date back on Sept. 14.

Media day marks the earliest point in an NBA calendar where the entire team is together in a publicized event. There’s no basketball to be played, but it will give fans their first look at Dwane Casey and the 2018-19 Pistons.

Consider it a first impression.

Now don’t get me wrong, media day has zero bearing on how the upcoming season will unfold. But that doesn’t mean it’s a waste of time either. There’s still value to be found.

For starters, it’s a comfortable environment where players and coaches can open up with reporters. There’s no recent loss or impending road trip to discuss. The room is mainly filled with optimism and curiosity.

None of the new additions to the roster (not even the rookies) were formally introduced during the off-season. Meaning that, this is the first time players such as Glenn Robinson III and Zaza Pachulia will sit in a press conference as Detroit Pistons.

Again, take everything you see and hear next Monday with a grain of salt. However, for many Pistons fans, media day is where they put faces to the names they’ve read about all summer.

Yeah, you can watch a player’s highlights or see their individual portrait on Basketball Reference. Yet it’s difficult to get a sense of who that person is until you hear their voice and see them interact with other people.

I’m sure Casey will be asked about the shooting guard rotation at least once. Whether or not he chooses to give a definitive answer is his prerogative.

Next. The trade that changed a franchise. dark

Either way, there’s bound to be some new information that’ll be uncovered. Come for the interviews, stay for the occasional GIF and Internet meme.

As for the best part about media day?

Its arrival means that we’re one step closer to the regular season.

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