Following their victories this season, the Detroit Pistons` team plane frequently becomes a lively dance floor. The youngest players, 19-year-old rookie Ron Holland and 21-year-old third-year center Jalen Duren, usually control the music, praised by teammates for their eclectic mix of songs spanning different eras.
Players move through the aisle showcasing their best steps. Eventually, a request for a classic hit arises – often “Family Reunion” by The O`Jays – prompting 32-year-old Tobias Harris to display his own moves, much to the delight of his younger teammates.
Duren commented on Harris`s occasional dancing, joking that the younger players might have injected some youth into him. Pistons forward Ausar Thompson gave Harris`s performance a 9.5 rating, noting that the minor deduction was due to stiffness attributed to his height and age, suggesting a younger Harris would have scored a perfect 10.
Harris, who is roughly a decade older than most of the roster, is in his second tenure with Detroit, having just completed his 14th NBA regular season. His return is part of first-year Pistons president Trajan Langdon`s strategy to integrate experienced veterans with the team`s core of young lottery picks. The younger players affectionately refer to Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Malik Beasley as “uncs” – the team`s uncles.
Holland mentioned seeing the veterans perform their “little unc moves,” adding that Harris and Beasley share a specific handshake. Beasley, however, clarified that he sees himself more as the “cool cousin” rather than part of the “unc crew.”
Harris simply acknowledges the situation with a shake of his head. He isn`t even the team`s oldest player – that distinction belongs to Hardaway Jr. (33). But Harris understood the situation when he signed a two-year, $52 million deal with the Pistons, a team that began the season with an average age of 24.3 years, ranking them as the fourth-youngest in the NBA. This youthful squad was coming off a dismal 14-68 record, one of the worst in league history.
Harris felt the team needed “a few adults in the room” to guide the talented young players, boost their confidence, enhance professionalism, and improve team morale to see how far they could go. He found the return to Detroit to be a “breath of fresh air” and expressed immense enjoyment, calling this season the most fun of his entire career with this group.
First-year Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff has a different term for Harris and the other veterans: his “safety blanket.” Bickerstaff explained that when things become chaotic, he can rely on these experienced players to stabilize the situation. They have provided a calming influence on a talented yet inexperienced roster, which includes 2021 No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham, who achieved his first All-Star selection and is a strong candidate for an All-NBA team.
Bickerstaff established clear roles for both young and veteran players from the start of training camp, emphasizing the defensive toughness and grit that characterized successful Pistons teams of the past. What no one could have predicted was the speed of Detroit`s historic turnaround.
After finishing last in the league with a 14-68 record in 2023-24, including a record 28-game losing streak, the Pistons surged to a 44-38 record this season, securing the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. This marks the franchise`s first winning season since 2015-16. They are the only team in NBA history to triple their win total from the previous season, and no team has ever won fewer games one season and then made the playoffs the following year.
Recently, the Pistons won a playoff game for the first time since the 2008 Eastern Conference finals, defeating the New York Knicks 100-94 at Madison Square Garden. This victory ended a franchise-record streak of 15 consecutive playoff losses. Their first-round series, a destination that seemed unthinkable just a year ago, was tied at 1-1 returning to Detroit.
Cunningham reflected on the rapid transformation, noting that while it feels like a process that should have taken two or three years, its speed is a testament to the quality of people brought into the organization. He expressed gratitude for those who have been part of the journey and stated the team`s focus is now on finding ways to win a championship.
Looking back on his initial approach, Langdon smiled and shook his head, admitting that making the playoffs, especially as a top-six seed, was not part of his wildest expectations when he took over basketball operations last May. After significant changes in the front office and coaching staff, Langdon quickly devised a plan to increase competitiveness. He believed the necessary pieces were already present and began by hiring Bickerstaff, known for his no-nonsense style and ability to define roles and identities, a clear priority after the previous season saw 36 different starting lineups.
Days later, the Pistons acquired Hardaway, a volume three-point shooter from a Mavericks team that reached the NBA Finals, addressing a roster weakness in offense and three-point shooting. On the same day, Langdon signed Beasley, another high-volume shooter who had a strong shooting performance with the Bucks. Shortly after, Harris was added, returning for his second stint with the team.
Langdon explained that the primary goal was to surround the young players with individuals who could aid their development, emphasizing not only on-court skills but also character, experience, and postseason knowledge. Harris, who played for Detroit from 2016-2018, has embraced his veteran role, offering guidance on off-court aspects like finances, diet, and sleep, while also being a significant on-court contributor. He averaged 13.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in the regular season and elevated his performance in the first two playoff games with averages of 20.0 points and 9.5 rebounds.
Cunningham praised Harris as an “amazing” presence in the locker room. The other veterans have also been crucial. Hardaway started 77 games, shooting 37% from beyond the arc. Beasley set a franchise record with 319 made three-pointers, ranking second in the league and joining an elite group of players to reach that mark.
Beasley described the team as a “blessing,” stating that unlike past experiences where he dreaded going to the gym, this group brings him energy and life daily, regardless of personal circumstances.
Langdon first saw a promising spark during training camp, noting the high level of competition. However, it was a road trip in December that included wins against Phoenix, the Lakers, and Sacramento, along with a strong 10-6 January and an eight-game winning streak around the All-Star break (including convincing victories over the Clippers and Celtics), that caused him to raise his expectations. That winning streak was Detroit`s longest since 2008 and propelled them into the top six in the East.
Langdon admitted that even at that point, while recognizing they could compete against good teams, making the playoffs still wasn`t the primary focus. The emphasis remained on changing the culture and translating process into results after years of losing. Before this season, Cunningham had never been part of a team with a winning record beyond the first few games.
Harris observed how losing can become a daily burden and found it rewarding to witness the young players` excitement for winning and their desire for more success. He entered the season with high expectations for the team and believed they could achieve something significant with the added pieces. While acknowledging it might have seemed like a “gamble” given the previous season`s record, Harris was confident the team would perform better than many expected.
Isaiah Stewart gestured towards the championship banners from 1989, 1990, and 2004 hanging in the Pistons` practice facility. This occurred shortly after the forward returned from a suspension. His action conveyed a clear message, aligning with the “Detroit value” of grit and physicality, a hallmark of the “Bad Boys” era. Despite a history of ejections, Stewart embodies this style of play.
Detroit finished the season ranked 10th in defense, their first top-10 finish in seven years. They also ranked high in offensive and defensive rebounding, transition points, and points off turnovers. Stewart is particularly effective in the paint, holding opponents to a low shooting percentage as the closest defender, while Ausar Thompson, returning from injury, has been a significant defensive presence.
Thompson feels a connection to the past, knowing that former Pistons players attend games and support them. He believes the current team tries to honor them by adopting a similar style of play – one built on hard work, effort, and bringing “that Detroit energy,” acknowledging the team doesn`t rely on multiple superstars but rather on everyone contributing fully.
This connection to franchise history is intentional, something Bickerstaff aimed to cultivate with the young roster. He emphasized the importance of respecting and emulating the successful traits of those who came before them. This defensive foundation complements the dynamic offense provided by Cade Cunningham. The former No. 1 pick achieved career highs in points (26.1), assists (9.1), and efficiency metrics, making him a leading candidate for the Most Improved Player award. His passing has been particularly effective, with the team shooting well off his assists.
Harris praised Cunningham as a great leader whose voice carries weight in the locker room, recognizing his impact night in and night out despite the struggles of the previous season. However, when the Pistons secured their playoff berth with a late-season win against the Raptors, there was no loud celebration on the plane ride back to Detroit – no music, no dancing. The plane was quiet.
Inside the silent plane, the Pistons acknowledged their accomplishment but also understood there was more work ahead. Stewart described the team`s mindset as still “hungry,” thankful and proud to be in the playoffs, but fundamentally “dogs” who want more than just participation; they aim to achieve significant things.
