By George B. Eichorn
The curtain is raised on the Detroit Pistons 77th season in the Motor City and 84th season in total. A sell-out crowd at Little Caesars Arena on October 23 witnessed a new look to a once-proud franchise.
Detroit lost the opener to the Indiana Pacers 115-109 yet led much of the way eventually squandering an 8-point fourth quarter lead. New head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was proud of the fight his team put up in the start of another long season of NBA basketball. Bickerstaff was hired following the firing of Montel Williams. The Pistons disastrous 14-68 season was the worst in franchise history. The Pistons lost an NBA record 28 consecutive games.
Owner Tom Gores made yet another shakeup by firing general manager Troy Weaver and replacing him with Trajan Langdon. Williams and his $65 million remaining coaching contract was broomed. That was one very expensive mistake by Gores yet he secured a lifeline by bringing in the talented Langdon.
The Pistons last qualified for the NBA postseason in 2019 and have not won a playoff game since 2008 when they lost to the Boston Celtics, 4 games to 2 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Detroit is led by point guard Cade Cunningham, an Oklahoma State standout who Detroit took in 2021’s NBA Draft. Unquestioned is Cunningham’s love of the game and our city yet his rash of injuries helped curtail any progress the Pistons attempted to make since Cade entered the NBA.
Langdon and Bickerstaff added much-needed veteran depth by bringing in Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Paul Reed.
Joining Cunningham in the Detroit backcourt are Jaden Ivey, Beasley, Hardaway, Jr., Marcus Sasser, Wendall Moore, Jr. and Alondes Williams.
The Pistons start Jalen Duran at center with backups Isaiah Stewart, Paul Reed and Cole Swider. The forwards are Hardaway, Harris, Simone Fontecchio and rookie Ronald Holland II. Injured forwards Ausar Thompson and rookie Bobi Klintman sit on the bench to start the season. Thompson is missed the most. He’s awaiting the league to clear him to resume play following a blood clot in his leg.
For the newly-named FanDuel Sports Network, George Blaha starts his 49th consecutive season as TV play-by-play voice of the Pistons. Greg Kelser (28th year) is the analyst with Johnny Kane, Natalie Kerwin, Tim McCormick, Mickey York and Grant Long offering pre-game, halftime and post-game depth. Sadly, Earl Cureton, a one time Piston, passed away earlier this year and will be missed on Pistons and University of Detroit Mercy basketball telecasts.
Mark Champion is in his 31st season as voice of the Pistons on WXYT-AM 97.1 and the Pistons Radio Network. Rick Mahorn (23rd year) returns as the game analyst. Neal Ruhl, Oakland Golden Grizzlies broadcaster, is a top fill-in.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com or @Sandgsports99 on X (formerly Twitter). Order his book:
Detroit’s Sports Broadcasters: On the Air: Eichorn, George B, Introduction Harwell, Ernie.
