Dust Up A Warning Sign For Imploding Detroit Pistons

Jan 28, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Will Bynum (12) passes the ball on Orlando Magic power forward Kyle O

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse…it has.

During Wednesday’s horrible loss to the Orlando Magic, the normally cool Will Bynum exploded on the sideline after getting pulled from the game.  What followed in was a nose to nose confrontation that ended with Bynum on the bench for the rest of the game.

Although the confrontation lead to him missing the rest of the game, Bynum said he doesn’t the how it all played out in front of the Orlando crowd.

"No, I don’t regret (it),” Bynum said. “I regret the fact that I was a little bit too passionate about it, but other than that, I don’t.”"

According to a piece on MLive by David Mayo, yesterday’s practice following the dust-up was “chilly”.  Mayo reports that the two haven’t discussed the matter and there are no plans for a peace summit in the future.

"Nope,” he said. “I’ll just continue to keep working and do my job. Whenever the opportunity is available (to play), I’ll be ready.”"

The exchange between Cheeks and Bynum was the most visible sign of trouble on a Detroit Pistons team that is appears to be coming apart at the seams. And even though the confrontation that played out was in front of a Orlando crowd and Detroit TV audience, Andre Drummond wants to keep the issue “in the family”

"Whatever happened with Will and coach, it’s none of your business,” Drummond said.  “That’s no disrespect, it’s just none of your business.  What goes on in the huddle stays in the huddle.  We’re a family here.  Every family gets into a battle.  They’re good now.  Tomorrow, we’ve just got to get better.”"

Well if Thursday’s practice is any indication, the issues on the Pistons are not going to get better any time soon.  Cheeks and Bynum haven’t even spoke to each other.  Hardly a sign of  everything being “good.”

Will Bynum isn’t the only player to take issue with Cheeks. Josh Smith, Greg Monroe and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have all been benched duting the course of the season. Even the normally positive Andre Drummond looks and sounds demoralized in post game pressers.

Whatever message Cheeks is trying to communicate to his team is clearly not getting through. Turnovers, terrible shot selection and fourth quarter collapses have plagued the Detroit Pistons this season and Cheeks sees completely unable to fix the problems.

The situation in Auburn Hills is getting out of control and major changes will need to happen if the Detroit Pistons hope to even sniff the playoffs. But with a lame duck general manager and an absentee owner no one in the Pistons organization seems willing or able to make any changes. In a season that started with playoff expectations it looks like the only postseason drama Pistons fans can look forward will be yet another head coaching search.