OT - Pistons beat Warriors

Submitted by doggdetroit on

A few weeks back, after Golden State's first loss of the season there was a thread here discussing whether GS (then 24-1) could reach or exceed the '96 Bulls' 72-10 record.

I thought GS would not be able to break the record for a few reasons, namely: the lack of Michael Jordan, being located on the West Coast where travel is more of an issue, and the fact that to remain on schedule, they woud have had to win an astounding 17 out of their next 19. 

Flash forward to tonight and after the loss to Detroit, GS is now a game behind the Bulls' pace at 37-4. Now the Bulls got off to a 41-3 start before losing their 4th game, so if GS wins their next 4, they will be right back on pace. However, tonight was the first game in a tough six game stretch:

at Detroit (L)
at Cleveland
at Chicago
vs. Indiana
vs. San Antonio
vs. Dallas

All six teams figure to be playoff teams. What say you? Can GS still challenge the Bulls' record?

A.C. Number 1 …

January 17th, 2016 at 12:43 AM ^

Big Ben played about as hard as anyone can play. Not a highly skilled player but was a force on defense and rebounded like nobodys business. Its funny how we had Rodman who was the best all time rebounder. Then we had Ben Wallace who led the league I believe and now we have Drummond who is the best rebounder in the league

sharklover

January 17th, 2016 at 9:30 AM ^

You can't tell me that the 2004 Pistons didn't care. They were some of the most passionate, hard working players in the league. Even Rasheed Wallace, who up until coming to Detroit had been more concerned with getting blazed than playing ball, was a fully committed team player. That team cared. That was a team that was worth watching.

evenyoubrutus

January 17th, 2016 at 1:25 PM ^

I loved that team. I enjoyed that run almost as much as any great Michigan season. But over the last ten years or so the NBA has eroded dramatically. Teams barely play defense. It's become less and less of a team sport. I personally don't enjoy it anymore because that is how I perceive it. Could I be wrong? I guess so. But I know I'm not the only one who feels that way.

sharklover

January 17th, 2016 at 2:24 PM ^

That's fair. I'd like to think that the new Pistons team is on a similar trajectory, with a similar mindset to the team circa 2001, but it's hard to say. 

I really haven't watched NBA ball for six or seven years, due to many of the issues that you cite. But I'm starting to tune in again to see what the new generation is going to do. And I'm definitely going to tune in for retirements of the key figures from that championship team, because they were so much fun to watch and cheer for back in the day.

But I can't fault you for your current stance on the state of the NBA. 

LostPatrol14

January 17th, 2016 at 12:38 AM ^

I feel that there's some sort of difference between challenging it and actually doing it. Can GS challenge it? Of course! Will they beat it or match it? Probably not. I don't think GS is as good as that Bulls team. Not to mention, that schedule is brutal. Great win for the Pistons tonight.

rob f

January 17th, 2016 at 12:52 AM ^

the Spurs---their record is now 35-6, just 2 games behind the Warriors.

With so much attention on Golden State, San Antonio has stayed somewhat off the radar. It wouldn't surprise me at all if they soon overtake the Warriors for best record.

nerv

January 17th, 2016 at 9:57 AM ^

The Pistons biggest problem is that they don't get up for all of their games like this. You see them beat the Warriors, the Cavs, a host of other playoff teams. But then they play teams outside the playoff picture and come out looking lackadaisical and pick up losses. This is a damn young team from top to bottom so hopefully they start to learn more about consistency and sustained/balanced effort as the season progresses.

MaximusBlue

January 17th, 2016 at 1:36 AM ^

He is the real deal and knows how to build a team up the right way. The Palace use to rock during Big Ben's run with the stones. It's time to get back to that.

MGoblu8

January 17th, 2016 at 1:38 AM ^

Great win for the Pistons! I don't dislike Curry, but the whole story was starting to get on my nerves. Also, as Rob pointed out, the Spurs are now just 2 games behind, and no one is talking about that.

DrunkOnHiggins

January 17th, 2016 at 1:49 AM ^

I was at a Pistons game back in the day and warm ups were just coming to an end. All the players had gone to the locker room except Ben. One last ball remained on the court. He picked it up and launched a half court shot and got nothing but net. The small crowd watching gave him a big cheer.

Pistons played great tonight. They flat out wanted it more than Golden State and it showed. They also seemed to have a little boost in their step. The crowd and atmosphere helped.

UMForLife

January 17th, 2016 at 5:47 AM ^

The difference between when Curry is on the field and when he is not, is too much. GS does not have the supporting cast that Jordan had. And Curry is not Jordan, even though I like Curry. Great player.
Hope Pistons elevate their game to take the next step. I am amazed at how well they play even with two key players not playing majority of the season.

allintime23

January 17th, 2016 at 7:55 AM ^

The Warriors won't be able to challenge the Spurs yet alone break the win record. They've had a good run but their schedule has spaced out challenging games up until this point.

Butch-dontcall…

January 17th, 2016 at 9:29 AM ^

i woke up this morning to find that detroit beat g.s. went to espn.com to see highlights and the first 2/3 of the recap was about step curry and not about the fact the pistons were beating them..... it was almost an after-thought -- steph curry this... steph curry that.. oh and by the way, the pistons won....

sharklover

January 17th, 2016 at 9:39 AM ^

Unfortunately the Pistons have no national draw. Nobody gives a squat about the team outside the Detroit market. The success of the 04-05 teams was a terrifying prospect for the NBA. I think the Pistons/Spurs final was one of the lowest rated in the modern era. 

The NBA and ESPN know where their bread is buttered. They will always market a handful of big stars to the exclusion of all other stories. Right now Curry is a hot commoditiy. They can sell a lot of commercials, jerseys, and shoes as long as he wins. Keeping him front and center in peoples' minds helps to build the narrative and to keep the cash registers ringing.

UMForLife

January 17th, 2016 at 9:47 AM ^

Sad, but true. That is one of the reasons why I don't watch much NBA anymore. It is sickening how much star worship goes on in NBA and in the media. I will say that Detroit is a bigger name than many of the other NBA teams such as Bucks, Timberwolves. I don't think anyone cared about Miami before Wade went there. Anyway, reduce the number of NBA teams and force a level playing field. NBA is becoming more and more like MLB.

dieseljr32

January 17th, 2016 at 9:34 AM ^

It wasn't just they beat them, it was how they did it. Outside of a stretch where GS had a three point lead in the first half, the game was all Pistons.

The environment was great. For some reason Floyd Mayweather was in attendance which was quite random. Unless someone can fill me in on the connection?