My list of high-fives on a Pistons opening night:

FIVE THINGS THAT MUST HAPPEN FOR THE PISTONS TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS

1. Cade Cunningham turns rookie of the year snub into a mission.
2. Defense is better than we think.
3. Marvin Bagley returns from injury as top five pick and roll guy.
4. Jayden Ivey is more Ja Morant than Russell Westbrook.
5. Dwane Casey coach of the year talk heats up

FIVE REASONS WHY THE PISTONS COULD MISS THE PLAYOFFS

1. Killian Hayes remains hesitant to shoot.
2. We are still waiting until January for the game to slow down for Jaden Ivey.
3. Corey Joseph is the Pistons second best guard.
4. Bojan Bogdanovic’s new nickname becomes Bricks.
5. Crowds remain thin at LCA.

FIVE REASONS WHY THE NBA IS BETTER THAN THE NHL

1. Ja’ Morant running downhill.
2. Drama in New Jersey and Philadelphia
3. Steph Curry for three.
4. Charles Barkley late night TV.
5. Christmas Day games.

FIVE REASONS WHY THE NHL IS BETTER THAN THE NBA

1. Connor McDavid goes one on four and scores.
2. Brad Marchand gets what’s coming to him.
3. Alex Ovechkin one-timer.
4. It’s midnight. Double overtime Game 7.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs are bounced in the first round again.

FIVE GREATEST PISTONS

1. Isiah Thomas: Where is his statue?
2. Joe Dumars: Brought championships in shorts and a suit.
3. Grant Hill: A triple, double threat each night.
4. Ben Wallace: Fear the Fro? You feared the corn rolls also.
5. Dave Bing: Some of his best games came outside a Pistons uniform at The Saint.

MICHIGAN BRED STARTING FIVE

1. Magic Johnson: Some days I wake up thinking he was better than MJ and LeBron.
2. Chris Webber: Big hands. Big feet. Big game.
3. Derrick Coleman: Saw him in the World championships and thought he was the best player on Team USA.
4. Draymond Green: Got hooked on him as far back as Saginaw High.
5. Steve Smith: Don’t blink. He just stunned you with the Hesitator.