The Pistons reinforced their positions as the top dogs in the East with another win over the Knicks, but Paul Pierce is still not sure about Detroit's chances in a playoff series. He kept harping on the Pistons' youth and inexperience as potential weaknesses in the postseason. Even though "The Truth" ironically seems set on ignoring the evidence right before his eyes, pretty much everyone else should know the Pistons would be heavy favorites against the Knicks in a playoff series.
The Pistons will be ready for the Knicks this time around
Since losing to the Knicks in the playoffs last season, the Pistons have improved in every aspect. Star point guard Cade Cunningham seems to have taken the early postseason exit personally and come out this season with a vengeance. Last year, the Knicks' most successful defensive coverage against him was forcing him into pull-up threes but he's destroyed New York in the same scenario this season.
Pierce's excuse that the Pistons are young and not used to playoff pressure is a lazy one that doesn't hold up against the reality of this Detroit team. The Pistons already earned their lumps last year when they took a 4-2 series loss against the Knicks. It was the first postseason experience for the vast majority of the Pistons' roster, but they still kept it tight. In fact, 3 of the Knicks' 4 wins came by 3 points or less.
"If they meet, they're going to have to meet in the conference finals, right? Like [Detroit] is young. Them lights are bright."Paul Pierce, on the Pistons and Knicks
First of all, Pierce is immediately incorrect in his assessment that the two teams would have to meet in the conference finals. The Pistons have stayed firm in the East's top spot since the beginning of the season, but the Knicks have now dropped down to fourth behind the Celtics and Cavaliers. Things could align for a second-round series between Detroit and New York.
Further, Pierce's skepticism completely ignores how the Pistons have handled themselves all year long. They've remained composed with an eye towards the playoffs for several months. Cade Cunningham himself has handled every challenge and defensive coverage thrown his way with expertise.
The Pistons are sure to have plenty of detractors going into the playoffs this season as a top seed. Their young core still has yet to experience success in the postseason, but that doesn't mean they're not ready. The Pistons' entire roster is composed of players who have battled adversity and shown they're ready to overcome outside noise. They will all have the chance to do that and shut up their critics for good in just a couple short months.