Pistons' honeymoon can close window on two Eastern Conference rivals

The Detroit Pistons weren’t supposed to be this good this year, so are still very much in the honeymoon phase of their trajectory. 

I know a lot of fans would disagree with this take, but I’d be happy if the Pistons made it out of the first round of the playoffs and would consider even a second-round exit a success. Disappointing given the context, but progress and success, nonetheless. 

Detroit still has glaring flaws that need addressed, and none of their key players are even close to their peaks yet, so for me, anything past the second round would be complete gravy, though I get why people are impatient in this year’s Eastern Conference. 

Pistons fans should enjoy this moment, as this will be the last season that doesn’t come with huge expectations, so just appreciate the ride, as that isn’t the case for two Eastern Conference teams whose windows are rapidly closing. 

The New York Knicks are a title or bust team 

With the Pistons still in their honeymoon and the Celtics missing their best player, no team in the East (except maybe the one I’ll write about below) is under more pressure to make the Finals than the Knicks, who gave away most of their future assets to chase Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to win now. 

The top part of their roster is locked in for several more years, so if the Knicks don’t win this year, it’s hard to see how they ever will, as their guys will just be a year older and making even more money. 

If the Knicks come up short again, expect big changes in New York, including the inevitable Giannis rumors, but given what the Knicks had to pay to get Bridges, it’s hard to see how they can land Giannis without significant changes to the roster, which may undo what makes them good in the first place. 

There is a lot of pressure on the Knicks, and it is palpable, even to their fans, which is probably why they are so defensive online. They know the end is nigh if the Knicks don’t win soon. 

The Cavaliers have to prove they can get out of the second round 

The Cavs are another team that will face big questions if they can’t make a deep playoff run, especially after going all in to acquire James Harden. 

Cleveland already fired their coach (JB Bickerstaff) when he couldn't get them out of the second round but will be officially out of scapegoats if they can’t do it this year. The Cavs aren’t scared of the Pistons, we know that, and there is a big second-round playoff matchup potentially looming, but the pressure will all be on the Cavs. 

If the Pistons don’t make it to the Finals this season, they will tinker with the roster, adjust where they need to, and come back with mostly the same team. If the Knicks and Cavs fall short, they will potentially have to make significant changes, so Detroit has a chance to shut down two rivals before the Pistons are even out of their honeymoon phase.