DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Pistons have been simply the best story in the NBA this season. Through all the talk of aging stars and the next face of the league, the Pistons have minded their on business while surprising the basketball world.

And they’re not satisfied, yet.

This is a mindset head coach JB Bickerstaff has pressed throughout the season. There have been losses they’ve been proud of the effort, and wins where they weren’t as satisfied. In fact it was after a win over the Charlotte Hornets that prompted an agitated post game press conference from Bickerstaff. He lamented the performance as he felt the team was playing down to the level of their opponent.

And to be honest, on first thought you wonder what does JB Bickerstaff think this is? The Detroit Pistons won 31 games the previous two seasons combined, with nobody outside of Michigan giving them much of a chance to ascend. And there weren’t many believers who predicted they’d be this good.

The New Standards are the Old Standards

But JB Bickerstaff continued to present the semblance of a standard far past what would’ve represented a great improvement over last season.

To put things in perspective the Pistons have been the BEST defense in all of basketball this since January 1. It is almost April. APRIL! And the Pistons are still keeping the pedal to the metal proving it’s not just a peak, but who we all need to except them to be — A top team in the NBA.

This blows past everyone’s most ambitious hopes and has created some very uncomfortable conversations in the world of basketball.

From content creators to fans to the most elite in media, the Pistons have forced their way into post season conversations. Malik Beasley, Cade Cunningham and JB Bickerstaff have made great cases to sweep 6th Man, Most Improved and NBA Coach of the Year honors.

And as far as team success goes, they’re on pace to finish no lower than 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. That would be their highest seeding entering the playoffs since the end of the Going to Work Pistons.

Similarly enough this team has achieved success in much of the same manner. They’ve set out to be the most physical team each and every matchup. No matter if it’s one of the leagues best, or worst, they play to leave it all on the court.

Offensive Play

And it’s not just the defense that’s been some of the best in the league. But the team’s offense has been top 5 in efficiency ratings since January 1, corresponding with the emergence of star Cade Cunningham.

But he hasn’t been alone, a far cry from the prior few seasons. The Pistons attempted to put the right type of talent around the gravity of Cunningham, but fell short with Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.

Enter Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway and Tobias Harris and the Pistons look as if they’ve struck pay dirt. And if that wasn’t enough, Trajan Langdon added another veteran in Dennis Schroder at the trade deadline.

So if you were wondering is it safe to support this Pistons team, the answer is a resounding yes. The success this season looks to be a foundation for much more success to come, rather than just a good stretch.

With the playoffs around the corner, the hope is that they still believe they have more to accomplish.

Latest Game Results

Detroit Pistons rookie Ron Holland tied his career high in points scored in a bounce back 136-130 win versus the New Orleans Pelicans. In addition to an efficient 26 points, Holland also stuffed the stat sheet with 6 assist, 5 rebounds and 1 steal. He played a pesky, energetic brand of basketball on offense and defense to the satisfaction of his coach.

“Ron Holland was fabulous tonight,” JB Bickerstaff said. “I thought he was phenomenal on both ends of the floor.”

”At this age most guys are trying to figure out if it’s not about me, what are we doing? But he only gives a **** about the team and his teammates.”

Ron Holland became the first teenager in NBA history to record a stat line of at least 25/5/5 with zero turnovers. Makes it even more impressive considering how much he handled the rock in transition and half court with star Cade Cunningham out. Veteran Tim Hardaway, Jr was also out and fellow wing Ausar Thompson played just 10 minutes in the game. That left opportunity for players to step up.

Marcus Sasser also played a huge role in the Pistons short handed victory. Head coach JB Bickerstaff made sure Sasser was the first player he credited during the post game press conference.

“Marcus Sasser has been through a lot with us,” Bickerstaff stated. “But every time he plays he puts this team in position to win basketball games.”

The Pistons depth has played important roles in the team reaching 40 wins for the first time in over 5 seasons. And they will need them to keep pushing the envelope higher to achieve the lofty ceiling Bickerstaff believes they can achieve.

“I was most appreciative of the guys who came off the bench and gave us a boost,” Bickerstaff exclaimed.

They will need everyone on the team to keep pushing the ceiling higher to achieve what they’re truly capable of.

What exactly is that? Stay tuned. But with head coach JB Bickerstaff appreciative yet still unsatisfied, there’s no telling how good this team really is.