Pistons take first step toward toppling the gatekeepers

The Detroit Pistons clinched the Central Division last night, and though they know there is much more work to be done, it was an important first step for a young team trying to establish itself as the class of the Eastern Conference. 

This is the first time in 18 years that the Pistons have won the Central, something that used to be a regular occurrence through two dominant eras for Detroit.

Considering the Pistons are just two years removed from a 14-win season and still have a very young team, winning their division is an important first step. 

The Pistons have flipped the script 

I wrote before the season that winning the Central would be key to the Pistons’ improvement, as they had struggled against divisional opponents, even in last year’s unlikely playoff run. 

Detroit went 2-10 against the Cavs, Bucks, Pacers last season but have flipped that to 10-4 in this one, including the Bulls. 

The Pacers and Bucks have dropped off a cliff this season, but we can expect Indiana to be back to their winning ways soon. I’m not so sure about the Bucks, who may have to trade Giannis this summer and start over. 

Given that the Bucks, Cavaliers and Pacers have dominated the division for the better part of two decades, this represents a symbolic changing of the guard as the Pistons re-establish themselves as the best in the Central. 

The Pistons will have to do it in the playoffs 

No one will care about any of this (aside from those of us who actually enjoy watching regular season basketball) if the Pistons flame out early in the playoffs, especially if it happens to one of the gatekeepers of the division. 

Detroit is currently set up for a second-round matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers, though that could change by the time the playoffs roll around, as the Cavs are just a game behind the Knicks for the 3rd seed. 

Cleveland is the only team in the division the Pistons don’t have a winning record against, as the teams split their four meetings this season with both teams missing key players in all of them. 

It was hard to get a gauge because of the injuries, but if the Pistons can escape the first round, Cleveland will probably be waiting for them. 

It will give Detroit a chance to establish themselves as the new power of the division, especially on the heels of a dominant regular season that should see them clinch the top overall seed in the East. 

The Pistons’ magic number is down to just two, and if they can take care of business, they’ll get a chance to silence their critics and topple the gatekeepers of the division.