The Pistons are one of the best stories in the NBA this year, back from the dead of the worst season in franchise history. It's a long time coming for a team that hasn't won a playoff game in 17 years, and for owner Tom Gores, who purchased the team in 2015. Detroit went 287-507 over the first nine years of his tenure, worst in the NBA.
They're finally turning things around under president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon and head coach JB Bickerstaff, both of whom arrived last offseason. Gores brought in Langdon after firing Troy Weaver, and Langdon hired Bickerstaff after the Pistons dismissed Monty Williams. The Pistons are 35-28 and within striking distance of the fourth seed in the East.
"It means a lot to me just to be able to deliver to our fans of Detroit," Gores said Wednesday night, via the Free Press, during the Pistons' loss to the Clippers in LA. "Last year, I apologized to the fans. Also just means a lot to see these guys succeeding. We’ve had such good veterans come in and we’re really fortunate for the veterans that have come in.
"It’s surreal, but the thing is, we’re not done. This team is really capable. It’s incredible what they’re doing. There is a point where you pinch yourself and say 'let’s go.'"
Langdon brought in Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., all of whom have played key roles around the Pistons' young core. And Bickerstaff has the team playing a connected brand of basketball, led by All-Star Cade Cunningham. Bickertstaff, who was named the NBA's Coach of the Month in February, has a case for Coach of the Year.
"You’ve got to acknowledge JB," said Gores "JB has brought these guys together. I always knew we had a core that could make things work, but JB's really brought it together and if there’s one word I could say, it’s that they’re unselfish. This is a team that’s unselfish."
Gores said the same for Langdon, and commended him for adding "a lot of just tremendous people in the front office."
"We’re really developing the rhythm both on the court, and then in the front office, we’ve really got good culture, and it starts with being unselfish and having a foundation that we can play with or work with," said Gores.