It took longer than most — 28 teams to be exact — to get to double digits in the win column. But alas, the Detroit Pistons (10-26) have arrived.
As painful as it may be to witness this team come up short time after time, Detroit has often played up to its competition to make games exciting, win or lose.
During a rebuilding season, the losses are what get celebrated. But with Detroit firmly in contention for a top draft selection, let’s not forget the wins. While few and far between, the victories inspire confidence and are key growth drivers for rookies and other newcomers.
And if it’s neither of those things, it is, at the very least, an acknowledgment of what these players get paid to do.
To co-opt and alter the Philadelphia 76ers’ previous mantra: embrace the process.
10. February 23: Pistons 105, Magic 93
This is Detroit’s only win against a team that likely won’t contend for the playoffs.
Orlando has been depleted this season due to injury and the Detroit Pistons, for a change, were not the underdog they have typically been throughout this year.
If there was anything to glean from this game, it was the emergence of Lee as a viable NBA point guard despite playing on a two-way deal. The Vanderbilt product scored 21 points and dished out four assists off the bench in the win.