EAST LANSING, MI – The Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns tipped off preseason action at the Breslin Center. Yes, that Breslin Center, a place that Michigan State University Spartans legend and current MBB coach Tom Izzo built.

That Breslin Center in which you pass the statue of legendary Magic Johnson to enter.

That Breslin Center the Pistons announcer and former Spartan, Greg “Special K” Kelser, can’t help but smile proudly about when back at his Alma Mater.

Serving as the home gym for the Pistons, the sold out arena had energy from start to finish.

And the Pistons’ Jaden Ivey is no stranger to how intense hoops can get in the legendary arena.

”It felt like a Big Ten matchup tonight. The atmosphere was crazy,” Jaden Ivey said. “It was rowdy, but that’s what you expect out of a Big Ten atmosphere.”

Pistons owner Tom Gores and Suns owner Mat Ishbia, both alumni of Michigan State University, teamed up to bring NBA basketball to East Lansing. And the college atmosphere and colosseum style seating did not disappoint.

“It’s always fun for our guys to play in front of a rowdy crowd,” Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff said. “I thought the crowd was awesome tonight.”

”When ever you’re playing in that type of atmosphere it can spark you.”

Gritty Pistons?

The vibes surrounding the Pistons has been trending more positive. Especially since sweeping out the old regime, and replacing the entire front office and most of the coaching staff. They also brought in several free agents like Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley who will help space the floor.

But the only thing fans wonder is if the team has improved and finally on the road to true restoration. Generally skeptical of any preseason success, fans were buzzing after the Pistons large win over the Bucks.

A renewed focus on defense, hustle and playing with a gritty edge was a welcome sight for observers waiting to see new life.

The Pistons forced 25 Bucks turnovers while collecting 14 steals, 9 blocks, 56 points in the paint and shot 26 free throws.

After a slow start to the game, everything else you could bottle up and sell to great success. It’s how many fans hoped the team would look when committing to a youth movement.

Against the Suns, Pistons were able to repeat some of what worked against the Bucks a few days prior. Though they look like an improved team, playing against the Suns 2.5 stars was an educational preseason litmus test.

“Any time you get an opportunity to play against the best players on the planet, it only raises your level,” Bickerstaff said.

Although the offense flowed better early, some of the Pistons’ areas of improvement were made more clear playing the Suns.

“It tests you so it’s good to get this on film so we can go back and study,” said Bickerstaff. “So we can learn, and see where we and our guys can improve.”

And what was learned from the preseason test versus the Suns? There were two common areas of improvement head coach JB Bickerstaff and the team spoke of:

TURNOVERS

The first half versus the Suns saw the same type of scrappy Pistons team make a return. They still have much to clean up after dropping the second preseason game 105-97. The offense wasn’t as crisp as the night before, and the defense had to account for the Suns big three.

“Our turnovers, we let that dictate the game for them (Suns),” Jaden Ivey said. “They have three superstars, we can’t do that versus them.”

”That was the game.”

A game after winning the turnover battle handily, they coughed the ball up 20 times for 23 Suns points. That’s a recipe for disaster, especially playing a team that capitalizes on opponent mistakes.

STAGNANT OFFENSE

Although the Pistons offense appears to flow better, there are still some hiccups as they work towards improving chemistry.

“We got a little stagnant,” Bickerstaff said. “ They made us play more iso basketball and crowded us.”

”Every night teams will guard you different, and we have to get better at that.”

Some of the positive gains will be underpinned by what the players do to improve. But despite being a young team, some of these players have already had multiple coaches, philosophies, terminology and strategies the last few years.

Even rookie Ron Holland, who played 1 season in the NBA2K G-League after high school, said there’s still a learning curve for him. Holland has less to pick up on due to proximity to the NBA, but it still speaks to what the players may be experiencing to some degree.

Third year player Jaden Ivey alluded to the team making forward progress, but that they will need time to perfect.

“‘I’ve had three coaches here, so we’re still growing in our offense and learning it,” Ivey said. “As we continue to do that, we will get better.”

Despite multiple coaches over the last few years, JB Bickerstaff has received praise from his team as being organized, easy to understand, and having a process.

Though the season has just begun and more improvements will be necessary, the players and coach appear to be in sync at reaching the goal.

“This is a process for us,” Bickerstaff said. “This is about us figuring out night by night, team by team how they play and how are system works.”

Other Game Notes

– Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores has generously gifted over 300 community tickets for distribution to residents of his hometown in Flint, which includes over 100 tickets to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint and Crim Sports Program of Flint Southwestern Classical Academy. Both groups are committed to serving the youth of Flint by providing resources, after-school programming, and mentorship to the community. Mr. Gores provided transportation to and from the Breslin Center for the students to enjoy a night of NBA Basketball between the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns.

– Tom Gores, Trajan Langdon, Arn Tellem, Melanie Harris, Dwane Casey and Jalen Rose were all seated court side for the game.

– Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal played in the first half and third quarter, while Cade Cunningham sat the second half for rest according to JB Bickerstaff.