The Detroit Pistons won't have any time to waste when the season starts. Literally — their first game of the season is at home against the Celtics, and then they'll hit the road to take on the Heat, the new-look Sixers, and the Knicks. Not only that, but they'll face LeBron James and Philadelphia again in their eighth game of the season.
Philadelphia had already positioned itself to be more of a threat in the East by trading for Jaylen Brown, and a couple of weeks later, James decided to sign a two-year deal with the Sixers.
Although it was the Pistons who won the East last season with a 60-22 record, it feels like Detroit is flying under the radar in its own conference. Part of that is because of Jalen Duren's unresolved situation, but also because of last year's playoffs and questions about whether the Pistons improved enough to make a deep run.
Pulling off two statement wins over LeBron and the Sixers to start the season would be one way for the Pistons to remind everyone that, hey, maybe you shouldn't overlook Detroit.
Pistons will play LeBron and the Sixers twice in first 8 games
Wins over Boston, Miami, New York, and even the Lakers, whom Detroit will play in its ninth game of the season, would also hold quite a bit of weight, specifically the Knicks, since they're the defending champions. But even it feels like they've been overshadowed by LeBron and the Sixers.
No matter where James chose, hype would follow, but because he chose Philadelphia, a team that was already part of the most shocking trade of the offseason, it generated even more attention. If there's a team that won the offseason, it's the Sixers.
Of course, what matters most is how what Philadelphia did this summer will translate to the court. The Sixers will probably deal with some growing pains to start, and the Pistons could capitalize on that, but that wouldn't take away from either win if that's what's in the cards.
Detroit has a lot to prove itself after coming up short in the second round of the playoffs against Cleveland. Doubters may not take the Pistons seriously enough to be the top team, or one of the top teams, in the East again, waiting instead to see how things shake out in the postseason.
That foundation is built in the regular season, though, and lucky for them, they can add to it early by knocking off LeBron and his new squad. Preferably twice.
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