Detroit Pistons: A 'Privileged' Spot in NBA's Dark History

Despite their recent victory against the Raptors, the Pistons have etched their name in the darkest history of the league.

The Michigan franchise defeated the Toronto Raptors, breaking a streak of 28 consecutive losses, but the 2023/24 season will be forever remembered for one of the worst records in basketball history. Even though they 'saved' face with the narrow 129-127 win, the Detroit team has endured one of the most dismal seasons, accustomed to mediocrity.

Narrow Escape

Monty Williams' team recently earned the dubious honor of the worst losing streak in a single season, with 27 consecutive losses, surpassing the Philadelphia 76ers of 2013-14 and the Cleveland Cavaliers of 2010-11, both of which recorded 26 straight losses. Unlike those two teams, which seemed almost "built" to lose, these Pistons struggle despite having some interesting names on their roster.

After this initial setback, Detroit still had the chance to avoid becoming the worst streak ever seen between two seasons. The Philadelphia 76ers (13-14 and 14-15) held the record with 28 consecutive losses, a record the Pistons could match by losing to Boston (to avoid tying it) or the Raptors (to avoid surpassing it). They were up by 19 against Boston but succumbed in the second half. However, against the Raptors, they miraculously ended the streak. For the first time in two months, Detroit looked competitive for the full 48 minutes. The opponent couldn't have been better—a Canadian team that had won only one of its last six games and had traded away OG Anunoby, one of its mainstays, just hours before.

Red Numbers in All Metrics

With a dismal record of 3-29 and a constant sense of a team adrift, the Pistons now have a golden opportunity to bring coherence to a season full of failures and 'nonsense.' Despite being labeled as a rebuilding team, the management has failed to lay a single foundation stone in a project plagued by failures for 15 years, much to the frustration of one of the most loyal fan bases in the United States. The victory against the Raptors should not please or calm anyone.

The numbers and statistics highlight this disaster. Williams' team ranks 28th in offensive rating (108.5) and 26th in defensive metrics (119.1), standing second to last (only ahead of Wembanyama's Spurs) in the NBA in point differential, with -10.9. Besides avoiding the continuation of this losing streak, there is another challenge for Detroit—to avoid finishing the year with the worst winning percentage in history. The record is held by the extinct Bobcats (current Hornets) of 2011-12, who ended with a 7-59 record in a season marked by a lockout. They finished the season with a 10.6% winning percentage, and the current Pistons are at 9.4%.

A Historic Franchise in Decline

Detroit is one of the most iconic brands in NBA history. Winning titles in three different decades, the 'Motor City' is a city of champions currently experiencing its most bitter moment since its foundation. It's hard not to think of the 'Bad Boys' of the late eighties, who clinched two rings (89', 90') by defeating Michael Jordan's Bulls. Isiah Thomas, Rodman, Joe Dumars, or Bill Laimbeer, among many others, are forever etched in the memories of fans who appreciate tough and physical basketball, a style later emulated by the Pistons of Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, or the Wallace duo inside—the modern 'bad boys' who tasted glory in 2004 and dominated the East with an iron fist in the early 2000s.

Since reaching the Conference Finals in 2008, the Pistons have made the playoffs only three times (2009, 2016, and 2019), exiting in the first round each time and accumulating a 0-16 overall record. Unlike previous occasions, this team has talent—young and inexperienced, but talent nonetheless. This raises further questions about why the current situation persists, with front office decisions on draft nights appearing as major contributors to this debacle.

A Puzzle That Doesn't Fit

Nobody could have anticipated this situation in the preseason. Monty Williams even asserted, "We are heading in the right direction" during one of the summer training camps. Despite finishing the previous season with the worst record in the league, glimpses of young talent and a new coach at the helm fueled hopes for the 'Motor City' faithful, envisioning the 'Year One' of the project and even daring to dream of making the play-in zone. Reality couldn't be further from these expectations.

Not even Cade Cunningham's best season since entering the NBA has prevented the downward spiral. Selected by the Pistons as the first pick in 2021, Cunningham quickly became the beacon of hope, a 'generational talent' destined to reverse the prevailing sense of decay. In his third professional year, he averages 23.3 points and 7.1 assists per game, with standout performances against Boston (43p) and Atlanta (44p). His star qualities are undeniable.

Homegrown names like Jalen Duren, Jaden Ivey, or Ausar Thompson (fifth pick in the last Draft) are pieces that could evolve into good players in the coming years. However, the Pistons' puzzle holds many uncertainties. They've acquired 'broken toys' with no value, such as Knox, Wiseman, or Bagley, shadows of their college selves, where they shone brightly.

Joe Harris or Alec Burks also fail to provide the necessary veteran presence—two guards on a downward trajectory. Risky bets like Kylian Hayes in the 2020 Draft, chosen ahead of Haliburton, Cole Anthony, or Maxey, have not panned out as expected.

Mental factors cannot be ignored either. This group of players is caught in a negative spiral that is not easy to break. It's not just about tactics, rotations, or shooting percentages. Identity is what creates unity and a sense of team—a characteristic sorely lacking in Detroit.

Any win is a mirage for the current Pistons, but the coveted victory against Toronto is a breath of fresh air—a first step towards finding an identity. Cade Cunningham has more than enough character to carry the pride of the entire team on his shoulders, and in Michigan, they hope to leave behind this spiral of misfortunes as soon as possible.

"We just keep fighting. It's been a long streak, all those losses, but I'm part of a group of guys who keep working every day, stay positive, and encourage each other," said the point guard in a press conference. "We've come a long way to get here, so I don't want to go back to where we were," Cunningham added.