The Detroit Pistons just finished a 60–22 season, earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, won their first playoff series of the rebuild, and pushed their way into the second round before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7. On Episode 70 of Harrison Talks Pod, we look at what that season actually proved and what Detroit needs to accomplish in 2026–27.
The Pistons have already gone from 14 wins, to 44 wins, to 60 wins in just two seasons. The next step is not necessarily winning another 60 games. It is proving that Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and the supporting cast can succeed when opponents have seven games to prepare for them. We break down Detroit's regular-season identity, the offensive issues that appeared in the playoffs, and why the team's defense translated more successfully than its offense.
We also examine the offseason additions of John Collins, Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince, and Gary Harris, along with the departures of Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, and Caris LeVert. Did Detroit make the roster better, or is the organization relying too heavily on internal development? We discuss Cade's role, Ausar's offensive development, Duren's playoff viability, the lack of an obvious second creator, and the possibility of a trade deadline move.
The Eastern Conference also became more difficult this offseason, with several teams adding major talent and others expecting important players to return from injury. That makes Detroit's next season even more important. The Pistons may not need to win 60 games again, but they do need to show that last year's success was the beginning of something bigger.
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🎧 Harrison Talks Pod
Real NBA analysis, breakdowns, and honest conversations about the game.
