Pistons Mocked by NBA Fans After Collapse vs. Celtics, Losing 28th Straight Game
Dec 29, 2023
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 28: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons passes the ball against Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at TD Garden on December 28, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons looked poised to snap their 27-game losing streak with a huge upset over the Boston Celtics on Thursday.
They held a 21-point lead late in the first half and went into the break with plenty of momentum.
That lead didn't last, however. The Celtics mounted the comeback and ultimately won the game 128-122 in overtime.
Boston looked like it could win it in regulation, but the Pistons managed to send the game to overtime in the final seconds after Bojan Bogdanovic tied it up with a put back after Cade Cunningham's missed three. Jayson Tatum had a chance to win it at the buzzer but came up short.
Bogdanovic's putback ties it up with 4.6 seconds remaining ‼️
Detroit's losing streak is now at 28-games after blowing the huge lead. It was the first time this season that the Pistons had led by 20+, but ultimately the huge lead wasn't enough for them to hold on to.
Pistons are the only team in the NBA who haven’t led by 20+ in a single game this season
Celtics are the only team in the NBA who haven’t trailed by 20+ in a single game this season
Detroit led Boston by 21 in the first half of tonight’s game, snapping both streaks…
Now the Pistons sit at 2-29 with their last win coming Oct. 28 against the Chicago Bulls. It's not clear what it will take for Detroit to snap its embarrassing losing streak, and the blown lead just adds insult to injury during the dreadful stretch.
Dwight Howard Posts Video Waiting for Pistons' Call amid Historic NBA Losing Streak
Dec 28, 2023
TAIPEI, TAIWAN - FEBRUARY 19: Center Dwight Howard #12 of the Taoyuan Leopards reacts at the court during the T1 League game between TaiwanBeer HeroBears and Taoyuan Leopards at University of Taipei Tianmu Gymnasium on February 19, 2023 in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons are in the midst of a historic 27-game losing streak, and a veteran free agent took to social media to offer his services to the team.
Longtime center Dwight Howard posted a video that included the caption "POV waiting for the Pistons to call Superman" while also listing multiple free agents who he feels would be able to help end Detroit's epic run of ineptitude:
You know who would win them some games lol …IT, John Wall, Michael Beasley, Demarcus, Me
Howard most recently played for the Taoyuan Leopards in the T1 League in Taiwan, earning an All-Star selection and being named Most Valuable Import for the 2022-23 season. He hasn't been in the NBA since spending the 2021-22 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Pistons set a single-season record for the longest losing streak with their loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. The team is now one game away from tying the overall record of 28 straight losses set by the Philadelphia 76ers between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
It's clear that Detroit needs something to change if it wants to turn its fortune around, so perhaps the team should give some real thought to adding Howard or any of the other free agents he mentioned.
NBA Rumors: Pistons Eye Tobias Harris, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Miles Bridges in FA
Dec 27, 2023
TAMPA, FL- MARCH 19: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors and OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on March 19, 2021 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Scott Audette/NBAE via Getty Images)
Amid their historic losing streak, the Detroit Pistons are reportedly targeting several players ahead of free agency during the offseason.
During an appearance on FanDuel TV's Run It Back on Wednesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium said the Pistons want to add a power forward between now and the start of next season, and he named Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors, Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers and Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets as potential targets:
"I'm told after the game last night, Cade Cunningham addressed the team, he's been addressing the team more the last couple of weeks."@ShamsCharania on Cade Cunningham and possible trades for the Pistons.
The Pistons set the single-season NBA record for consecutive losses with 27 on Tuesday, bringing their overall record to 2-28 this season.
Siakam, Anunoby, Harris and Bridges can all potentially become free agents at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, as Siakam, Harris and Bridges will see their contracts expire, while Anunoby has a player option for next season.
Both Siakam and Anunoby were part of the Raptors' championship team in 2019, but they have become far bigger contributors in the years since then following Kawhi Leonard's departure.
The 29-year-old Siakam is a two-time All-Star and he is enjoying another strong statistical season, averaging 21.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
Anunoby, 26, is more of a wing than a 4, but he could be a strong fit as a complementary player alongside Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and some of the Pistons other young talent.
Anunoby is a strong defensive player who has averaged at least one steal per game in each of the past five seasons, and so far this season he is putting up 14.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.2 three-pointers made and 1.0 steal per game.
With the Raptors already losing Fred VanVleet to the Houston Rockets in free agency this past offseason, they could also let both Siakam and Anunoby walk in order to rebuild around Scottie Barnes.
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have received much of the credit for the Sixers' success this season, but Harris has contributed in a significant way as well.
The 31-year-old veteran is enjoying his best statistical season since 2020-21, averaging 17.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game for the 20-9 76ers.
Harris spent parts of three seasons in Detroit earlier in his career, and that familiarity could make them a logical fit if the Sixers are unwilling or unable to pay Harris in free agency.
Bridges, 25, has the highest ceiling of any of the players the Pistons are rumored to be targeting, but he also comes with baggage, as he missed the entire 2022-23 season and the start of the 2023-24 campaign after being charged with felony counts of injuring a child's parent and child abuse.
He pleaded no contest to the charges, and while he was placed on probation, he avoided jail time.
Bridges is averaging 19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists1.9 three-pointers made and 1.4 steals in 17 games this season, and he would perhaps give the Pistons another star to play alongside Cunningham despite the character concerns.
Per Charania, the Pistons will have a ton of money to spend during the offseason and owner Tom Gores wants to make some moves in order to improve the team.
The Pistons seem like they are far away from contending given their abysmal record this season, but if they can sign one of the aforementioned players and get more draft capital for some of the veterans on their team currently, they have a chance to turn things around more quickly than one may think.
NBA Rumors: Cade Cunningham Addressed Pistons After Record 27th-Straight Loss
Dec 27, 2023
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 26: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 26, 2023 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
After the Detroit Pistons lost their NBA-record 27th consecutive game on Tuesday night, Cade Cunningham used the moment as an opportunity to talk with the team about where things are at.
Appearing on FanDuel TV's Run It Back, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the third-year guard addressed the Pistons in the locker room after the game with "a lot more passion" than he has in recent weeks.
"I'm told after the game last night, Cade Cunningham addressed the team, he's been addressing the team more the last couple of weeks."@ShamsCharania on Cade Cunningham and possible trades for the Pistons.
The specific details of what Cunningham said in the locker room weren't made clear, but he talked about the general message while speaking to reporters after Tuesday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
"Don't jump off the boat. We gotta stay together," Cunningham said. "Right now is the easiest time to stand off and be on your own, but we need to continue to lean on each other, continue to push each other, and hold each other more than ever now."
Cunningham has been doing everything in his power to end this streak. He has scored more than 40 points twice in the past four games, including a 41-point effort on 15-of-21 shooting against the Nets.
There were moments on Tuesday when it seemed like the Pistons were finally going to have a breakthrough. They stormed out to a 22-8 lead in the first quarter, but trailed by as many as nine points by the final minute of the first half.
The Pistons opened the fourth quarter on a 12-4 run to take a 97-92 lead with just over eight minutes left to play. The Nets immediately responded by scoring 10 straight points and never trailed again.
Opposing teams have scored at least 107 points in every game during the losing streak, including at least 120 points in seven of the past nine games.
When the season started, it looked like the Pistons might be ready to take a step forward after being at or near the top of the lottery odds in each of the previous three years. They won two of their first three games, with all three of their opponents being held to 103 points or fewer.
That would be the end of the good Pistons vibes. They haven't won a game since Oct. 28 and have to play the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Thursday trying to snap the longest losing skid in NBA history.
Cade Cunningham to Pistons Teammates amid Losing Streak: 'Don't Jump off the Boat'
Dec 27, 2023
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 26: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the last minute of the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Little Caesars Arena on December 26, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. The Detroit Pistons went on to lose against the Brooklyn Nets for their 27th consecutive loss in the season. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
After the Detroit Pistons set a new single-season record with their 27th straight loss on Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets, point guard Cade Cunningham showed his leadership by expressing a message of unity.
When asked what he told his teammates after the game, Cunningham told reporters, "Don't jump off the boat. We have to stay together. Right now is the easiest time to be on your own. We need to continue to lean on each other."
Cunningham scored 41 points on 15-of-21 shooting in Tuesday's 118-112 loss. The Pistons (2-28) are now one game away from tying the longest losing streak in NBA history of 28 games set by the Philadelphia 76ers between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
The 2021 No. 1 pick also explained why he feels obligated to answer for Detroit's struggles this year.
"A lot of the load is trusted on me--on the court, in the locker room," he said. "Every day I try to lead the squad. I haven't been successful with that; 2-28. It's only right I speak for it, be the face for it. Everyone cares in that locker room."
The Pistons played with desperation on Tuesday and led by as many as 14 points before losing steam in the fourth quarter. They will need to continue to bring that energy if they hope to avoid tying the all-time record.
Unfortunately, things won't get easier any time soon for Detroit, as it will face the Boston Celtics (23-6) on Thursday.
Pistons Trolled by Fans for NBA Record 27-Game Losing Streak after Loss to Nets
Dec 27, 2023
BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 23: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 23, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons put forth a strong effort in Tuesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets, but it simply wasn't enough to end their epic losing streak.
The Pistons suffered a 118-112 loss to the Nets in front of their home fans at Little Caesar's Arena, setting a new NBA record for the longest losing streak in a single season at 27 straight games. Detroit is now one game from tying the longest overall losing streak in NBA history of 28 games set by the Philadelphia 76ers between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
The Pistons led by as many as 14 points in Tuesday's game and had a 97-92 lead with less than eight minutes left in the fourth quarter before they ran out of gas and allowed the Nets to go on a 16-3 run that effectively put the game away.
2021 No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham did the best he could to will Detroit to victory, scoring 41 points on 15-of-21 shooting with nine rebounds and five assists. Bojan Bogdanovic added 23 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter, but only two other players on the team scored over 10 points.
Fans on social media couldn't help but troll the Pistons for wasting a big night from Cunningham and a prime opportunity to end their losing streak:
The funniest part of the Pistons game was when Cade was unconscious and scoring on every possession, then down 5 with 38.5 secs left, the Pistons came out of a timeout and ran a play to get Alec Burks a contested three. 80 million for Monty Williams might have been a whiff high.
41 points on 15/21 FG 9 rebounds 5 assists +5 in 36 minutes
Unstoppable in the second half. Got wherever he wanted. Not enough though: The Pistons just lost their 27th game in a row, an NBA record for a single-season.
The Pistons' (2-28) next chance to end the skid will be on Thursday in a daunting matchup against the Boston Celtics, who own the best record in the NBA at 23-6.
It would be a massive surprise if Detroit doesn't tie the overall losing streak record, but it can be expected that the team will put forth its best effort to avoid making more history.
NBA Trade Rumors: Pistons Feel They Can 'Make a Splash' Despite 26-Game Losing Streak
Dec 24, 2023
BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 23: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 23, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons are closing in on an all-time record of futility, but they're still expected to be active ahead of February's trade deadline.
The Detroit Free Press (h/t HoopsHype) reported Pistons general manager Troy Weaver believes the team can "make a splash in the trade market and sees it as the logical next step."
Detroit has lost 26 straight games and sits at 2-27 overall on the season. The team is one more loss away from setting the all-time record for consecutive defeats in a single season. They are three more losses away from breaking the Philadelphia 76ers' record for consecutive losses in NBA history, including streaks that span multiple seasons.
"Everybody wants to win, everybody hates losing, so it's hard," Pistons guard Cade Cunningham told reporters. "We've got to be realistic as well. Can't just keep saying the same things over and over, like we'll get the next one. There has to be like a plan of action, so we're just trying to figure that out."
It's unclear what direction the Pistons would go in the trade market, though they're in desperate need of a veteran voice. Coach Monty Williams, who signed a record-setting $78.5 million contract with the Pistons this offseason, has seen his words fall flat as his young team makes the same mistakes time and again.
There are talented players on the roster, highlighted by Cunningham, and there are undoubtedly teams farther along in their rebuild that could look to swoop in and land a rising young player on the cheap.
That said, it's hard to find any realistic path to immediate success for the Pistons. A "splash" for this franchise would be merely getting a win and finding any positive momentum. Reconfiguring an already failing roster may wind up being akin to shuffling deck chairs.
Cade Cunningham, Pistons Roasted by Fans as They Tie NBA Record Losing Streak to Nets
Dec 24, 2023
BROOKLYN, NY - DECEMBER 23: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 23, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons made some unfortunate history on Saturday night.
After losing to the Brooklyn Nets by the final score of 126-115, the Pistons tied an NBA single-season record by suffering their 26th consecutive defeat. The only other teams to lose 26 games in a row are the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers.
The Pistons are also on the verge of setting the all-time record for total consecutive losses, which is currently held by the 76ers. Their steak spanned from the end of the 2014-15 season to the beginning of the 2015-16 campaign.
Detroit fought hard to steal a win against Brooklyn, cutting the deficit to just two points halfway through the third quarter. However, the Nets responded by going on a quick 7-0 run to build up another large lead. Detroit's defense continued to struggle as the team has now allowed opponents to score at least 110 points in 14 straight games.
Cade Cunningham bounced back from some early foul trouble to deliver a satisfactory performance, although it wasn't enough to overcome Brooklyn. He dropped 22 points and six assists on 9-20 shooting. However, the former No. 1 overall pick continued his struggles from behind the arc as he connected on just one of his five three-point attempts.
NBA fans were amused by the Pistons' incompetence on the court.
Detroit fell to 2-27 after the defeat, continuing its downward spiral after the team initially went 2-1 over the first three games of the season. The Pistons' next chance to finally get a win will come on Tuesday in a rematch with Brooklyn.
Tom Gores Discusses Pistons' 25-Game Losing Streak: 'I Am Expecting Change'
Dec 23, 2023
Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores addresses the media after Monty Williams was introduced as the team's new head basketball coach during a news conference, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Detroit Pistons governor Tom Gores is trying to find answers for his team amid their 2-26 start to this season, including their ongoing 25-game losing streak.
In an interview with The Athletic's James L. Edwards III, Gores acknowledged that changes have to be made but trying to figure out exactly what that will be is unclear at the moment:
"We have to regroup at the end of the season. We're already doing it now. 'What happened?' I am expecting change. I do expect (general manager Troy Weaver) to come up with change. Staying exactly the same … I don't think anyone can say in any genuine way that change is not required. I expect Troy to find ways to change the makeup of our team and find ways to be more successful. I do expect him to find ways, and he knows that. If we do nothing to improve ourselves, I'm going to be disappointed. That's nothing new to Troy. He knows that."
While the first change most teams in this situation would look to make is at head coach, that's a complicated issue for the Pistons. Monty Williams was hired in July after signing a six-year, $78.5 million deal that made him the highest-paid head coach in NBA history at the time.
Gores did note that Williams and Weaver "will be in place," but he's "all over them" and "there's a lot of accountability that needs to be held."
One point of emphasis Gores made was expressing optimism about the long-term future because of how young the Pistons roster is and how much cap flexibility they have:
"This set of players—and I know them individually, I saw them the other day—we are in a great spot with our young talent. I think seven or eight players are under 22. They're young. No. 2, we have set ourselves up in a way that the contracts are flexible. You guys know, we had all these contracts that really (handicapped) us with a certain vision, and we couldn't be nimble. We are also set up with a lot of cap space, and you guys know I'm willing to do whatever it takes for this organization to be successful."
At the end of Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz, which gave the Pistons their 25th straight loss, fans at Little Caesars Arena could be heard chanting "sell the team."
Pistons fans started chanting "sell the team" after 25th straight loss tonight. pic.twitter.com/rDwjDN7pJf
Gores told Edwards fans "can say what they want," but the idea he would actually sell the franchise is "ridiculous."
"Other than winning—and we should win more games—we do a lot in the community," he added. "Players, the organization, we do a lot in the community. If you put aside winning, we've made a very big difference in the community."
The Pistons' loss to the Jazz came in a game when Utah didn't play Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson or Talen Horton-Tucker. That trio combined averages 51.3 points, 14.7 rebounds and 10.7 assists per game. Detroit was actually favored at tipoff when it came out the Jazz were resting multiple key starters.
Instead, the Pistons wound up giving up 119 points to a starting unit that included Kelly Olynyk, Kris Dunn, Collin Sexton, John Collins and Simone Fontecchio.
The 25-game losing streak for Detroit is the fourth-longest in NBA history. If the Pistons lose their next game, they will tie the 2010-11 and 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers for the second-longest streak.
Detroit will play a home-and-home series against the Brooklyn Nets starting on Saturday at Barclays Center.
The Pistons have made two playoff appearances and have had one winning season since Gores became the sole governor of the franchise in September 2015.
Pistons' Cade Cunningham After 25th Straight Loss: 'I'm Kinda Sick Right Now'
Dec 22, 2023
Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Cade Cunningham was disappointed as the Detroit Pistons were defeated by a short-handed Utah Jazz team on Thursday night, suffering their 25th consecutive loss.
"We had a shot to win it and down the stretch, we weren't solid enough," Cunningham said, according to Mike Curtis of The Detroit News. "Me personally, six turnovers, kills us...I didn't keep anyone in front of me today. That kills us. I gotta be better. I'm kinda sick right now."
While the 22-year-old did commit a game-high six turnovers, he also scored 28 points and dished out 10 assists while connecting on 45.5 percent of his shots. He grabbed seven rebounds as well, the highest total on the team outside of center Isaiah Stewart.
Cunningham has been one of the few bright spots for Detroit this season, averaging 22.2 points and 7.0 assists per game prior to Thursday's action. He also currently owns a 53.1 true shooting percentage, the best mark of his career (via NBA.com).
However, the Pistons shot just 29 percent from three as a team against Utah while recording 20 turnovers. The Jazz entered the game without All-Star Lauri Markkanen, former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson, and standout rookie Keyonte George but were still able to secure the win.
"We're trying to build something sustainable, we're not trying to just win one game," Cunningham told reporters following the loss, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. "To be on the wrong side of history, no one wants to be there. That's an extra edge we have to have. We should have won this game and we didn't."
The Pistons are now one loss away from tying the all-time record for consecutive losses in one season, which currently stands at 26. They're also dangerously close to surpassing the total record of 28 straight defeats, which was set by the Philadelphia 76ers to end the 2014-15 season and begin the 2015-16 campaign.
