Despite their struggles, the Detroit Pistons have a devoted fan base. Here are three players that we’re the most thankful for.
Blake Griffin is far and away one of the most beloved athletes not just for the Detroit Pistons, but in the entire city. He didn’t ask to be here, but he’s embraced it. He’s essentially become the embodiment of what it means to play in Detroit. He’ll put his body on the floor to save a loose ball, he’ll absorb heavy contact in order to draw a charging foul, and he’ll attack the rim with ferocity.
Having a defined superstar in Detroit has become somewhat foreign to fans. The Detroit Lions have Matthew Stafford, but outside of Detroit he’s not exactly respected the way many feel he should be. Griffin is undoubtedly an established star in his own league, and has given the Pistons some notoriety.
Had Detroit been able to win more games last season, Griffin would have been in the conversation for the MVP. He willed the Pistons into the playoffs, and despite missing the first two games of the opening round, fans knew exactly what he had put himself through to get them there.
Coming into this season, he was still dealing with the injury that kept him out of the final stretch of last season. After slowly working his way back to full strength, we’re beginning to see the Blake Griffin that we saw last season.
His 50-point performance last season against the 76ers was arguably the happiest memory Pistons fans have had in the last several years. At the time it provided a much needed sense of optimism, and that’s been a reoccurring theme during Griffin’s tenure in Detroit.
He also provides a sense of stability, a feeling of “okay, things may actually be okay.” And for that, we’re thankful.