By George B. Eichorn
Pistons Look to Improve Under New Coach
The curtain is lifted on the seventh Detroit Pistons season at Little Caesars Arena and fans
cannot help but be excited at the prospects of future success. Maybe even this season.
Coming off the worst overall record in the NBA last season, 17-65, the team missed the
playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. It resulted in the fifth and last year under coach
Dwane Casey as he accepted a position in the Pistons front office.
Wisely, owner Tom Gores and general manager Troy Weaver delayed the hiring of a new
coach late spring. Gores’ deep pockets resulted in hiring Monty Williams, let loose by the
Phoenix Suns after an early NBA playoffs exit, for a reported $78.5 million guaranteed for
six seasons. Step one was complete.
Step two was the NBA Draft and a hoped-for selection of 7-4 center Victor Wembanyama of
France. Lady luck was not on the Pistons side as the San Antonio Spurs got the number
one pick and grabbed the potential superstar. The Pistons GM Weaver did land a solid
defender and good shooter in Ausar Thompson of Overtime Elite with the no. 5 overall pick.
A deal with the Boston Celtics landed the Pistons guard Marcus Sasser of the University of
Houston.
Next was step three: monitoring Detroit guard Cade Cunningham’s return to playing action.
The no. 1 overall 2021 draft pick Cunningham wisely accepted an offer from the U.S. Select
Team to scrimmage against Team USA which was preparation to play in FIBA World Cup.
Cunningham looked solid in his return from a season-ending left shin injury and surgery in
December 2022 which halted his sophomore season.
Cunningham, 6-6 and 220, showed steady progress in training camp in the Pistons midtown
facility and in several pre-season games. And then came a definitive statement he was back
– exploding for 30 points and 9 assists in Detroit’s 103-102 season opening loss at the
Miami Heat on October 25. He and his teammates defeated the Charlotte Hornets and
Chicago Bulls in successive nights to start the new season 2-1.
Joining Cunningham in the starting lineup are guard Killian Hayes, forwards Thompson and
Isaiah Stewart, and center Jalen Durant. Coming off the bench for Williams’ team are
centers/power forwards Marvin Bagley III and James Wiseman; forwards Jaden Ivey, Jared
Rhoden and Malcom Cazalon and guards Sasser, Alec Burks, Joe Harris. Starting the
season on the injury list are Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Livers and Monte Morris.
Clearly Weaver and Williams see great potential in their young team. With a healthy
Cunningham leading the way the team has the weapons to make some noise in the NBA
Central Division. Heck, a post-season berth is also possible.
Weaver is building a defense – something they lacked immensely last season – and that’s
what a winning club needs he said on media day. “I’ve said countless times (you) can’t
shoot your way out of a hole…we have to defend.”
He and Williams will emphasize these three “D’s” – discipline, development and defense.
It’s hard work yet fulfilling when the wins start to replace the losses in the Motor City.
Bally Sports Detroit has the bulk of the games on cable with George Blaha on play-by-play
and Greg Kelser on color commentary. Mickey York, Grant Long, Tim McCormick and
Johnny Kane also contribute. Pistons Live on BSD airs before and after the games. On the
radio side, Mark Champion and Rick Mahorn broadcast all Pistons games on flagship
WXYT-FM 97.1.
Reach George Eichorn at [email protected] or @Sandgsports99 on X (formerly
Twitter). Purchase his book by clicking on this link:
Detroit’s Sports Broadcasters: On the Air: Eichorn, George B, Introduction Harwell, Ernie,
Harwell, Introduction Ernie: 9781531617660: Amazon.com: Books
