Detroit Pistons: A fading fan base looking for a spark
John Mason has been the public address announcer for the Detroit Pistons since 2001, the same year that the franchise went on an 8 year run that had the entire state of Michigan wrapped up in Piston fever. Mason is also responsible for starting his now famous chant “Deeeeee-troit Basketball!”. Mason is still doing his thing and “Deeeee-troit Basketball” is still ringing through the Palace on game day, however that ringing has gone a little hollow the past few years.
The one thing missing from the equation has been success on the court. Thirty two wins last season actually was the most since 2009. That fan base once spoiled with deep playoff runs and an NBA Championship has started to dwindle as continuous losing year after year has alienated many of their loyal fans. To say that this fan base needs a shot in the arm is an understatement. Is the 2015-2016 campaign the one that brings this once proud franchise to the forefront again?
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The 2003-04 Championship was huge on so many levels as the franchise put together an unlikely core of players through a number of front office moves. It seemed that Joe Dumars could do no wrong as he continued to find players that had largely been disregarded around the league. Trading Grant Hill to Orlando, a deal that brought us Ben Wallace, was the catalyst that put together an amazing six straight Eastern Conference finals appearances.
Mar 15, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons general manager Joe Dumars during the game against the Indiana Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Wallace seemed to fit the mold of what Dumar’s was trying to do, a blue-collar guy that earned every bit of success that he achieved by outworking the competition. The city of Detroit has long been considered a blue-collar middle class town and Ben Wallace was the epitome of everything Detroit stood for. The motto “Goin to Work” rung true day in and day out with this team and their fans ate it up. All of the glitz and glamour that was the LA Lakers was the exact opposite of what a Detroit fan base wanted to be. Being the underdog, the less heralded, the feel-good story fit the mold and Detroit Basketball was king.
There is something special in the world of sports when an entire community gets wrapped up in the story. The Pistons in 2003-2004 were that story that had anyone and everyone paying attention to it. Non-basketball fans were suddenly finding themselves caught up in it too. It was impossible to ignore and easy to jump on the bandwagon. Winning the right way with a group of likable players was the biggest reason it was a special time for Detroit.
Big Ben left Detroit following the 2005-06 season via free agency and with it left the heart and soul. The Pistons were still in the next two conference finals, but you could see the tide starting to turn. Gone was that hard-working attitude that played so well during their championship run. In the years that followed, Dumars brought in high-priced free agents that continued to push them farther away from what worked in 2004. Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva ended up being horribly overpaid players that quickly wore out their welcome with fans.
After 6 straight losing seasons and some restructuring in the front office, what strings does Stan VanGundy need to pull to get this team and fan base back on track? Notable changes this offseason start with the absence of Greg Monroe who will be replaced by Ersan Ilyasova. Ilyasova is an underrated player with a great outside shooting touch that I always felt like could thrive in the right system. With Andre Drummond demanding attention in the paint, the combination of him and Ilyasova has the potential to work better with spacing between the two.
Stanley Johnson, who was drafted with the 8th overall selection in the draft, is another player that certainly has the make-up to be a fan favorite. At 6-7 and 245 pounds, he is a wing player that can defend multiple positions and can get to the rim offensively. He has already proven to have a reliable jump shot and made a pretty big splash in summer league ball. He is only 19 years old having played one season of college ball so there is sure to be growing pains along the way, but the upside is certainly there.
Apr 4, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) makes a dunk during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons beat the Heat 99-98. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The true key to making this engine run is going to be the combination of Reggie Jackson and Drummond. In a small sample size last season, the dynamic duo proved to be a force in the pick n roll game and created match up problems for opponents. Drummond is still developing as a player and has had some bouts of inconsistency.
Jackson re-signed with Detroit this off season and will be given his first full season to run the point as the starter day in and day out. He proved last season that he can be everything they need him to be and will be relied upon heavily. The potential is there if some of the supporting cast can develop around these two and if Drummond can continue to improve and become more consistent.
To say that the foundation is in place for this team to improve upon last year is encouraging. Jackson is a tough-nosed player that is sure to win over fans with his hustle and effort. Drummond can be a dominant force both offensively and defensively and be a difference maker. Fortunately both guys are built from the hard-working mold and may give us a glimpse of what made the Pistons so successful in the past.
I have been waiting for this team to give back to their fans and put an exciting product on the floor. Let’s hope 2015-2016 is a step in that direction.
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