DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Pistons closed preseason with a winning record (3-2), after a 108-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

And now focus shifts towards being ready for the season opener October 23 in Detroit versus the Indiana Pacers.

Despite a franchise low 14 wins last season, fans cant shake the feeling of optimism for the 2024 team. The clean sweep of the front office, bringing in Trajan Langdon and JB Bickerstaff, has received early stamps of approvals from fans. Obviously, wins is all that will ultimately matter, but to this point there’s been a noticeable difference in several areas.

Questions Answered

Jaden Ivey was the most impressive player through the Pistons preseason. He showed no signs of last year having any effect. Most will remember under previous coach Monty Williams, Ivey didn’t receive the best opportunities to play. Which lead to a lack of chances to develop, catch rhythm, or even gain chemistry with Cade Cunningham.

The Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey backcourt has been one of the biggest question marks since they were paired together. But we haven’t gotten many opportunity to see if it can really work yet. Cunningham was out for the season during Ivey’s rookie year, then Monty Williams took over as coach the season after.

We all know how things went for Ivey, so no need to rehash too much. But he did show major improvement to shooting numbers the last 15 games as he received more opportunity.

That late in the year progress seemed to carry over to this preseason as he shot 52.9% from behind the arc the first 4 games. While that high a percentage isn’t sustainable, it was still a great sign to see him knock a high percentage on high volume (4.3 attempts per game).

Ron Holland

On draft night many fans and observers were miffed why the Pistons didn’t take a proven outside shooter. Players like Dalton Knecht out of Tennessee were available, but the Pistons took a chance on the former G-League Ignite.

It only took a few preseason games for the questions to be answered about what Holland would be able to contribute this season. Energy, defense, always running motor and scrappiness were traits that fans in Detroit picked up on quickly.

They weren’t the only ones impressed. Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff

“The only thing that matters to him is winning,” JB Bickerstaff said about Ron Holland. “He’s a fierce competitor.”

“That’s what’s most impressed me. How hard he competes, but how he’s figuring out how to impact winning with that energy.”

Ron Holland has jumped all in on Detroit and hopes to be a catalyst for seeing the Pistons back to winning. He even stated before the football season that he’s now a Lions fan, despite being raised to love the Cowboys.

The mindset to not just win, but also represent Detroit proudly is a trait not to take for granted. Holland has pride in playing Detroit Pistons basketball.

Area Improved?

Throughout the rebuild attempts a main ingredient to winning Pistons basketball was effectively non-existent. DEFENSE! As mentioned earlier there’s been a noticeable jump in energy, but the hope is that it will translate to better on the defensive end.

Throughout preseason there’s been a noticeable difference in the overall team defense. They held 3 of 5 opponents to under 100 points, despite not having the height and length of other front courts. Including against the Cavs that start Evan Mobley (6’11”) and Jarret Allen (6’9”), who are known to be defensive minded plus-players.

But it didn’t matter to the Pistons who made things difficult for them all night which pleased coach Bickerstaff.

“It’s the buy in from the team,” he said. “From jump they’ve been willing to do what’s needed to become a good defensive team. It’s always 5 guys, never just one man on an island.”

Time will tell soon enough, but the early returns have made many fans and the team optimistic for the future.

Other Notes

Simone Fontecchio led the Pistons in scoring vs Cleveland Cavaliers with 18 points
The Pistons shot 45.7% from three on 35 attempts
Rookie two-way player Daniss Jenkins scored 13 points
The Pistons accumulated 34 assists and limited the Cavs to just 20.