The Detroit Pistons fell to the Brooklyn Nets 118-112, cementing their spot as one of the worst teams ever seen in an NBA season. Their 27 consecutive losses match those experienced by 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers – further cementing this distinction for them.
Owner Tom Gores has promised significant changes, though when and how are still unknown.
Detroit Pistons Details
The Detroit Pistons finally showed some fight Tuesday, showing signs of progress despite the NBA’s longest losing streak. Cade Cunningham scored 41 points to lead them close within two points of Brooklyn Nets before another loss ensued.
Detroit’s record-setting skid has become an intense source of frustration among fans at Little Caesars Arena, who chanted “Sell the team!” late in the second half.
Monty Williams accepted some responsibility for their defeat while Troy Weaver pointed to his roster-building as one attempt at hastening their rebuild process. It is evident that such an inexperienced group with numerous needs that cannot be fulfilled is having difficulty gelling together as one cohesive unit.
PAST
Detroit set an NBA record when they fell to Brooklyn 118-112 on Tuesday night and set off an angry and bitter chant from Pistons fans at Little Caesars Arena to sell the team immediately afterwards. This resulted in another round of “sell the team” protests at Little Caesars Arena that night.
“It’s heavy,” first-year coach Monty Williams acknowledges, and nobody wants this on their resumes.
During their heyday as “Bad Boys,” the Detroit Pistons gained notoriety as an aggressive, no-nonsense team who played their own distinct brand of basketball that stood out from any other teams’ styles of the time.
Chuck Daly famously termed their defense “94 feet.” That means they would defend all over the court, making it difficult for opponents to set up and run plays. This approach earned the Pistons a national reputation as being dirty but resulted in many losses for them.
PRESENT
On Tuesday night, the Detroit Pistons created NBA history by losing to Brooklyn Nets by an astonishing margin. Their loss tied with that of 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers for longest single season losing streak in league history; though 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers’ 28-game skid covered two seasons.
The Pistons held on for most of the first 2 1/2 quarters, but poor shooting and defense allowed the Nets to pull away in the second half. Cade Cunningham led all scorers with 41 points but experienced difficulties late in a disappointing game for their struggling squad.
After the game, coach Monty Williams applauded his players’ perseverance. “Everyone has bad days; what makes me proudest of our guys is how hard they work every day and remain focused,” said Williams.
FUTURE
Detroit Pistons’ loss to the Nets on Tuesday marked their 27th consecutive loss and tied them with 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers for the longest one-season losing streak ever in NBA history. If Detroit loses Thursday night against Boston, that would mark its 28th straight defeat overall and surpass that record even further.
Cade Cunningham tallied 41 points and led Detroit briefly back into contention late in the fourth quarter before Dorian Finney-Smith hit his 3-pointer from deep to seal Brooklyn’s win. Their next matchup will come against Toronto this Saturday.
Coach Steve Williams applauded his team’s effort during tough times, yet recognized there is still work to be done. The Pistons currently boast an average age under 25, which could delay progress until 2022-22. RJ Hampton made an immediate impact upon signing his 10-Day contract; along with first-round pick James Wiseman and second-year forward Eugene Omoruyi there are more young talent with promise.