Gores Says Pistons Are ‘Fully Aligned’ After Playoff Breakthrough
gores-says-pistons-are-fully-aligned-after-playoff-breakthrough
Pistons governor Tom Gores said the organization is “fully aligned” from the front office to the locker room after last season’s surprise run to the postseason.
“There’s tremendous alignment between the players, the coaching staff and J.B. Bickerstaff,” Gores told reporters before Sunday’s home opener against Boston. “Last year we came out with great urgency and a chip on our shoulder. We’ve got to come in with an even bigger chip this year.”
Detroit reached the playoffs for the first time in a decade last spring. Gores, who purchased the club in 2011, believes the current leadership group can sustain that success.
“It’s taken a lot of patience and a lot of hard times,” he said. “I feel like we’re set up to be a machine, a sustainable winner. But we have to win.”
Cunningham Eyes MVP Race
Guard Cade Cunningham told ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill he thinks an MVP bid is realistic if Detroit continues to ascend. “If I can help get this team where I want it to go this season, all that stuff will be on the way,” he said.
Thompson’s Playmaking Role Expands
Second-year wing Ausar Thompson is averaging 4.7 assists through three games. Bickerstaff said summer study showed positive results when Thompson handled the ball, leading the staff to feature him more as a playmaker. “The next step for him was the ball in his hands,” the coach noted. “Being that Swiss Army knife we knew he could be.”
Cavs Snap Winning Streak
Detroit’s 3-0 start ended Monday with a 116-95 loss in Cleveland. The Pistons turned the ball over 26 times, but Bickerstaff downplayed the performance. “It’s one night — we’ll be better,” he said.
Injury Update and Schedule
The Pistons host Orlando on Wednesday. Thompson is listed as questionable because of an illness, according to The Athletic’s Hunter Patterson.
Contract Moves
On Tuesday, Detroit exercised rookie-scale options on three players, securing them through the 2026-27 season.
Source: HoopsRumors
