The Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets don’t like each other, a fact that was reinforced in another heated game last night.
It started in some unlikely places, with both Duncan Robinson and George Blaha getting spicy early in the game. Robinson got into a shoving match with Brandon Miller after the latter hung on the rim and then intentionally dropped on Robinson’s head.
It was a good move for Robinson, who was roasted for not getting involved in the last fight the Pistons had with the Hornets. He was looking to re-establish his street cred (I'm joking).
Pistons announcer George Blaha didn’t hold back afterwards, saying Charlotte was playing like a Play-In team, making reference to the fact that they needed a win at home to keep their slim chances for the 6th seed alive. The Hornets will be the 9th or 10th seed and will need to win two games to get another shot at Detroit.
I love when Blaha, who is in his 50th season in Detroit, gets fired up, as he’s an extension of the Pistons’ ethos from the booth.
LaMelo Ball got involved as well, making a gun gesture and having some choice words for Isaiah Stewart after Melo made one of his weird 3-point shots, but Beef Stew did a good job to keep his cool last night. The Hornets were clearly trying to rile him up, but it didn’t work.
But the Pistons sent the final message at the end of the game, and it was clear.
The Pistons don’t like or respect the Hornets
The Pistons walked off the court last night without shaking hands with the Hornets, which I don’t remember seeing since Detroit did it to Jordan’s Bulls after losing in the playoffs.
It appeared to be Jalen Duren who talked his teammates and coach into avoiding the Hornets, and why not?
These two teams don’t like each other. The Hornets are brash trash talkers and employ a scumbag in Miles Bridges who rarely stops yapping. They remind me of last year’s Pacers team, who I couldn’t stand playing against, as Tyrese Haliburton NEVER stops talking.
The Pistons ignored it, didn’t rise to the bait and took care of their business without incident, but they sent a loud message in the process.
I think Detroit was tired of hearing about how the Hornets are a “nightmare” matchup for them. I think the Pistons are sick of being disrespected by the notion that their season is somehow a fluke, even as they close in on 60 wins.
But mostly, I think they are tired of the Hornets, don’t respect them, and wanted to make that clear last night, which they did by running away from them in the 4th quarter and then dropping the mic.