The Detroit Pistons are an underdog who no one really believes in even though they are cakewalking through the Eastern Conference. Enjoy this period, folks, as it won’t last forever.
Young teams like the Pistons and Spurs won’t get respect until they do it on the biggest stage, and so far, neither of them has won a playoff series. Until they do, they won’t be seen as legit title contenders.
In this ring obsessed culture we live in, fans are encouraged to not value (and even not enjoy) the regular season because IT DOESN’T MATTER!!
I’m a hoops junkie who loves the game, so it very much matters to me, as this is my form of entertainment, so I’m enjoying every minute of this current Pistons run.
It’s also because I know it won’t last, and as Ferris Bueller famously said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
This certainly applies to teams like the Pistons, who can quickly go from beloved underdog to anxiety-inducing frontrunner in a heartbeat.
Enjoy this phase of the Pistons, when there are still few expectations
I always tell fans to enjoy the moment. Stop worrying about five years from now. Stop worrying about respect and title contention and just enjoy this team right now, as it won’t last.
Success not a linear line in the NBA, as you never know if you’ll be good from one season to the next, and one injury or bad move can ruin everything quickly. Ask the Indiana Pacers this season, who went from the Finals to the bottom of the standings when Tyrese Haliburton got hurt.
No future is given.
This will also be the last time that the Pistons don’t have the additional pressure of high expectations, as they are going into next season as a title contender regardless of what happens in this one.
If the Pistons make a deep playoff run, they will be expected to better it next season, and that expectation not only brings pressure, but increased scrutiny, whining and complaining.
If you think those online fans who overreact to every play are annoying now, just wait until next season when every turnover will be a sign that the Pistons aren’t a contender.
Pressure will also start to mount on JB Bickerstaff, who has yet to get a team out of the second round, and until he does, there will be talk that he isn’t a “championship coach.” No one will call this season a failure if the Pistons get bounced in the second round, but if it happens next season, JB Bickerstaff might be fired.
That’s how it works in sports, where you go from “fun story” to “title or bust” overnight. Ask the Knicks, whose fans are losing their minds right now, as they know their window won’t stay open forever, and this might be their only chance to win a title.
It’s not nearly as fun to follow a “title or bust” team, trust those of us that have been there with Detroit, so enjoy this moment, as the Pistons are still in the honeymoon phase of their ascension, but honeymoons always end.