In a letter to Pistons fans published Monday, owner Tom Gores thanked them for their loyalty through a grueling rebuild and raised the bar for next season after one of the best turnarounds in NBA history.
The Pistons became the first team ever to triple their win total from the year prior over 82 games, notched their first playoff victory since 2008 and gave the Knicks all they could handle in a six-game series in which each of the final four games came down to the last possession.
"This team inspired and excited our city, which is why the outcome is so tough and emotional," said Gores. "We didn’t want the ride to end, but I believe this is only the beginning."
Last summer, the Pistons were coming off the worst season in franchise history and had the most losses in the NBA over the prior five years. Then Gores hired a new president of basketball operations in Trajan Langdon, who hired a new head coach in JB Bickerstaff, and Detroit climbed to 44 wins and the sixth seed in the East behind a rising superstar in Cade Cunningham.
Gores was booed in public settings for most of the Pistons' rebuild, and heard "Sell The Team!" chants last season during a historic 28-game losing streak. The mood changed after Gores ate $65 million last summer to fire former head coach Monty Williams one year into a six-year, $78.5 million contract, setting the stage for Langdon to hire Bickerstaff -- who would finish second for NBA Coach of the Year.
He expressed gratitude in his letter "for you, our incredible fans. Last year was tough and rebuilds are not easy. Through it all, your loyalty has never waned. Your support means a great deal to me. I can’t say it enough: Thank you."
"With a return to full strength next year and valuable experience under our belts," said Gores, "advancing in the playoffs will be the goal."
The Pistons were close to advancing this year as it was. Were it not for an injury to Isaiah Stewart in Game 1 against the Knicks, or a botched call by the refs at the end of Game 4, they might have knocked off the team that went on to eliminate the reigning champion Celtics and will take on the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Pistons are also eager for the return of Jaden Ivey, who was in the midst of a breakout year when he broke his leg on January 1. Gores promised that "our urgency will not stop" this summer and into next season.
"Our players and coaching staff are focused on continuing our positive momentum," he said. "Trajan and his team will act with urgency to strengthen our roster. And I will continue to ensure this organization has the necessary resources to succeed.
"I believe in what we’re building. I’m excited about this journey and hope you will stick with us as we continue to build on this foundation for success. I look forward to seeing you next season."