By Loveth 
The Detroit Pistons are back in the NBA playoffs for the first time in a while, and there’s a growing sense around the city that they could follow in the footsteps of their gritty neighbors, the Detroit Lions.
After years of struggling, Pistons owner Tom Gores shook things up by revamping the front office and bringing in a new attitude. The result? A team that’s starting to turn heads with tough defense, physical play, and a refusal to back down—just like the Lions have done on the football field.
The Pistons are set to take on the New York Knicks in the first round, and while most people aren’t giving them much of a shot, head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is keeping his team focused. He’s taken a page from Lions coach Dan Campbell’s playbook—get your players to believe, buy in, and play tough. The Lions have turned themselves into Super Bowl contenders that way.
Detroit actually won three out of four games against the Knicks during the regular season, finishing with a solid 44-38 record. But big man Jalen Duren says that doesn’t mean much now. “It’s a whole new season in the playoffs,” he said. “We know what kind of team they are—we still have to prove ourselves.”
Bickerstaff also pointed out that New York wasn’t at full strength earlier in the season, so they’re expecting a tougher battle this time around. He made it clear that the Pistons aren’t taking anything for granted and that they know they’ll have to earn every inch on the court.
Despite outside doubt and questionable calls from refs trying to tone down physical play, the Pistons have stuck to their identity. They’ve got a young squad that plays hard, defends well, and can hit shots when it counts.
Bickerstaff summed it up perfectly: “We can’t show up and try to be somebody we’re not. We’ve gotta play to our strengths and stick to who we are.”
If they do that, don’t be surprised if Detroit pulls off the upset.
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