You can take it from execs around the league. You can take it from longtime NBA player JJ Redick. Or you can take it straight from Pistons sharpshooter Isaiah Livers: De-troit Basketball is back.
Based on the way the Pistons finished last season and the pieces they've added since, Livers says they're poised to do damage. And he's warning the rest of the NBA: doubt us at your own risk.
"This is going to be a dangerous team," Livers said on the latest episode of the of Under the Hood. "Guys are always (saying), you know, 'Detroit Pistons,' and they’re going to overlook us. And they’re going to have that 'L' on the calendar if they keep doing that."
The Pistons struggled badly in the first half of last season, in part due to injuries on a young team. But they played close to .500 basketball in their final 25 games, with the roster getting healthy and first overall pick Cade Cunningham coming into his own.
"I felt like we were a team to look out for, especially after the All-Star break," Liver said. "I felt like we were a big team to look out for -- versatility, hitting shots, playing the right way, moving the ball, most importantly. I think that’s one thing we do well, we move the ball. Everybody touches it, everybody’s in a rhythm, everybody’s playing defense and everybody’s happy."
Livers was a key part of the Pistons' second-half success after recovering from a foot injury. He entered the rotation in late February and gave the club a much-needed three-point shooter; his 42.2 percent mark from deep was by far the best on the team and would have ranked sixth in the NBA over the full season, tied with Seth Curry.
Livers figures to play an even bigger role this season as the Pistons start climbing the Eastern Conference ladder.
"We’re only going up right now, the Detroit Pistons aren’t going down," he said. "We’re trending. So I’m excited. We’re just going to keep working, keep our heads down and good things will come."
Related
Listen live to 97.1 The Ticket via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker