OT: Pistons lose NBA-record 27th straight game
So as a die-hard Lions fan and casual but still supportive Detroit professional sports observer, this is… sad.
While I was just a young pup during the Bad Boys era and started really appreciating the Pistons during the ‘03-‘04 championship run with Billups, Rip, Ben, Sheed, and Tayshaun, it seems this team is not set up for success and hasn’t for a while.
My questions to the board:
Do you care that the Pistons have added to a major sports futility mark a la ‘08 Lions and ‘03 Tigers (AL loss record) or is there any silver lining knowing it can’t get worse from here?
What could or should be done short of selling this team from the current owners and starting from scratch?
Also what are your favorite moments from the franchise in general?
December 27th, 2023 at 8:58 AM ^
My question is - When do fans start wearing bags over their heads?
December 27th, 2023 at 9:24 AM ^
This is tough, because it means fans would have to go the the game first.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:27 AM ^
Was at the game last night, can confirm there were at least a few bags...
December 27th, 2023 at 10:15 AM ^
My cousin was at the game last night, and he wore one.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:16 AM ^
Apparently Tom Gores has Pistons' arena employees taking bags away
December 27th, 2023 at 11:32 AM ^
Whew. People might have thought this franchise was an embarrassment or something. Crisis averted.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^
Focused on the important things, clearly!
December 27th, 2023 at 12:45 PM ^
Apparently Tom Gores has Pistons' arena employees taking bags away
There's a key sign that he is denial about the cause of the historic suckness.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:00 AM ^
Favorite moment? Back in 89 when we finally got past the Celtics and then hammered the Lakers in five games to finally win the championship. I was at game 3 of the 88 finals at the Silverdome (we lost) and that might've been one of best NBA finals in history - I can still see Zeke in game six that year playing on one leg and almost bringing home the win.
The 80's Pistons were incredibly fun to watch. They literally climbed the championship ladder, one year at a time, and they made a big trade (Dantley for Aguirre) to put them over the top.
Times change. Things will get better eventually.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:11 AM ^
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qN1VmZ6MSk
The 88 finals was such good basketball. Still remember Dantley missing one in the lane in game 7 to seal the title for the lakers. Not to be that "guy" MGO but the Pistons swept the Lakers in 89. Magic was out and the Pistons were playing lights out.
Favorite memory for me has to be Vinny "Microwave" Johnson stealing game 5 almost on his own against the Trailblazers to claim the second title in 90. Link at top if you don't rember or want to re-live.
Worst memory, Zeke, with the turnover in 87 at the Garden to Bird. Close second Sheed dropping off Big Shot Bob Horry to trap the corner and Horry doing what he does and steal a game in a series that the Pistons woiuld lose in 7.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:18 AM ^
Worst moment by FAR was the game six turnover when it looked like we were FINALLY going to get past the fucking Celtics and play in the finals. That game was won if not for that one, huge mistake by Zeke. Then in game seven we had Microwave and Dantley hit their heads together and knock each other out of the game - at that point I figured we were beyond cursed.
Yes, we won in four in 89 - I was misremembering that year with the 90 finals which we won in five. Such great teams and so much fun to root for. Hell, I liked the Kelly Tripuka score-a-thon teams too.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:32 AM ^
Kelly and Zeke together was fun, zero defense but 120+ a night was not uncommon. That is when I really started watching the Pistons.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
Getting over the Jordan Rules and seeing the Pistons flail is almost as much fun for BULLS and BEARS fans as watching the Lions lose in this years first round of the NFL playoffs.
All 6 titles for MJ were the GOLDEN ERA of NBA but sending Isiah and the Bad Boys into irrelevancy was spectacular!
December 27th, 2023 at 11:37 AM ^
30 years later, the Bad Boys still live rent-free in Jordan's head.
I guess that happens when you go 1-3 in playoff series against them.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:57 AM ^
Jordan was Joe Dumars' bitch.
December 27th, 2023 at 12:08 PM ^
Also everyone knows that Jordan vultured his 6 titles in a weak era after the Lakers, Celtics and Pistons all aged out. He never could beat the real champions in their prime. I'm sorry but the Blazers, Suns and Jazz were pretty pathetic teams to make NBA finals.
December 27th, 2023 at 12:00 PM ^
December 27th, 2023 at 9:31 AM ^
The Isaiah Thomas one-leg game was ridiculous, and would be remembered as one of the all-time performances -- perhaps *the* all-time performance -- in the championship had the refs not called a ticky-tack foul when Abdul Jabbar was taking a hook shot in game 7.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:25 AM ^
Isiah is MJ's bitch!
#MJ-holdmybeer
December 27th, 2023 at 10:32 AM ^
Zeke’s performance on his sprained ankle was heroic and epic.
25 points in the 3rd and 43 points overall.
Phantom foul on Laimbeer stole the game and the series for the Lakers since Thomas could not come back on a cold ankle in game 7.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:37 AM ^
It was a good try-Isiah.
It was a GREAT WIN - MJ.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:49 AM ^
Isiah taught Michael how to be a Champion.
Without Isiah there is no Michael Jordan.
Jordan is just to arrogant and vengeful to admit it.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
No Handshake
No Respect
No DREAM TEAM for you.
ISIAH deserved it all. MJ is what he is as is Isiah.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:45 AM ^
I had absolutely no problem with Isaiah and the Pistons walking off without shaking hands. I still don't. And if the situation had been reversed and Jordan and Bulls had walked off, I'd also have been fine with it.
This game still gets brought up (case in point), and I'll never understand why it's so important. These two teams hated each others' guts, and basically fought a war on the hardwood. But when it was over, the world expected them to shake hands and say "congratulations, old man, you played great." Why? For some phony display of sportsmanship between two guys who hated each other then and now?
If nothing else, the Pistons actions were honest. They basically said, "You may have beaten us and become champions, but damned if we're gonna congratulate you. And by the way, fuck you."
And if anybody thinks that's unsportsmanlike or out of line, think back to the last time UM lost to Ohio State. How many Buckeye hands did you feel like shaking?
December 27th, 2023 at 12:04 PM ^
This. The amount of disrespect Jordan and the Bulls showed leading up to that was pretty surprising considering they had never beaten them before. It would have been embarrassing if the Pistons would have sucked up to them after the loss.
December 27th, 2023 at 12:25 PM ^
The Bulls acted like asshole school children the entire season leading up to those playoffs.
December 27th, 2023 at 4:21 PM ^
They weren't acting, especially Jordan. He was one as a player, and he's been one ever since. His 2009 Hall of Fame induction speech showed that. It was cheap, petty, and vindictive, and as one Bulls exec said later, "That's who Michael is."
December 27th, 2023 at 1:09 PM ^
Specifically, after game 3 of that series Jordan went off in the press conference about the Pistons and said they weren't worthy champions. That was why the Pistons walked off after game 4. Jordan was a bad winner and showed them no respect, so they responded in kind.
That part of the story was conveniently left out. Jordan was the NBA's golden boy and the media covered for him.
December 27th, 2023 at 1:21 PM ^
/\ This is the truth.
December 27th, 2023 at 5:45 PM ^
What they did was their true sentiment. That is the difference between that era and today. Today if a team walked off without handshakes there'd be riots. Heck they even got on Belichick as a sore loser after he didn't shake hands after losing to the Giants.
"TOM BRADY DIDN'T SHAKE HIS OPPONENT'S HAND AFTER HE LOST. SORE LOSER" (was that the Eagles game?)
December 28th, 2023 at 10:00 AM ^
If your decision as to whether or not to shake hands is based on whether you won or lost, then yeah, maybe you do need some work on your sportsmanship. I love sports and I am very competitive, but at the same time, they are just games. People need to learn to be able to separate the game from real life. If guys in the NHL can shake hands after beating each other up for a 7-game series, then anybody should be able to do so. I actually like to see the players talking to one another after a game, even a hard fought one.
FYI, I saw an article recently about some minor league hockey teams getting rid of handshake lines because of skirmishes in them, and I think that is a bad idea. I would prefer that the leagues set the standard that anything that happens in the handshake line is not considered part of the game, and will be handled with stiff suspensions. Treat it like the MSU tunnel incident. It will be suspensions, and if it is severe enough, then the police will be involved. Let's at least pretend that we can still be civilized adults.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
This is a Pistons thread. GTFO with your Bull's shit. Don't be that guy (too late). Make a new thread, etc.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:18 AM ^
We all love Michigan.
The scoreboard is the scoreboard I have my dissenting opinion.
As a born and raised Rogers Park Chicagoan your pain brings me great joy!
I am sure we can discuss again after the Lions FIRST ROUND playoff loss.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^
No problems, here.
Just let us know when you’d like to discuss the Bears and their fans watching the playoffs from home. We don’t have to wait to have that discussion if you’d like. After this season, the Bears and Lions will have the same amount (5) of last place NFC North division finishes since 2010. In other words, I don’t think your seat on your horse is as high as you think it is.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^
Hey hey. You're cherry picking data and timelines. The Bears at least have won a SB and has been to another in most people's lifetimes. Any Lions fan would kill for that.
With that, the Lions are a much better franchise now compared to the Bears. I will be rooting for them to win the SB this year.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
You're simply trolling this thread and 99% of your Michigan fan brothers want to talk Pistons. Not just once, but 6 posts. You are not 12 yrs old so why act like it?
December 27th, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
I am trying to read your post but having this #SCOREBOARD it gets in my way.
BEARS 105 - 78 - 5 vs Lions lifetime
BULLS 145-134 vs Pistons
December 27th, 2023 at 3:30 PM ^
Jordan
1-3 vs. Detroit
Just like Ryan Day.
Born on 3rd Base.
December 27th, 2023 at 12:03 PM ^
Enjoy drafting another bust QB this year
December 27th, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
Chelios is a Red Wing.
December 27th, 2023 at 12:43 PM ^
Kane is a Red Wing.
December 27th, 2023 at 5:09 PM ^
Actually the 1989 Finals the Pistons swept the Lakers, in 2004 it was a 5 game series.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:01 AM ^
The NBA record is 28 straight losses set by the 76ers over 2 seasons
The Pistons hold the record for consecutive losses in a single season.
My problem with this team is there is a lot of talent amongst the starters. However we have the worst bench I've ever seen on an NBA team.
And how the fuck do you justify drafting Thompson who can't shoot a lick when you have a roster full off guys who can't shoot a lick.
Monty isn't a good coach, our Bench blows and that is a recipe for disaster as we're all finding out.
For the record I have watched most of the losses during this streak
December 27th, 2023 at 9:04 AM ^
Thanks, Darker Blue for the record correction. Seems my casual attitude is on display here.
I also applaud your dedication as I’d probably stop watching after loss 10 but keep fighting the good fight as they say.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:09 AM ^
Don't worry we'll tie the NBA record the next time our and we'll set it the game after that.
I don't know what the worst record in NBA History is but I'll be surprised if we win another game.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
I couldn’t tell you the worst but looking over their past 4 games, it appears they’ve been at least close within ~10 pts or so.
Is it true that most opponents are mostly playing their bench players during the games you’ve watched? If so, that’s really sad.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:18 AM ^
The Jazz were without their top 4 or 5 guys the other night and still managed to beat us.
Last night it honestly felt like a playoff game. Both the Pistons and Nets played their asses off. Nobody wants to lose 27 in a row. Nobody wants to be the team that lost to the team that had previously lost 26 games in a row.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:18 AM ^
71/72 Sixers have the worst record for a full season with 9-73 and .110 winning percentage.
The 11/12 Bobcats finished 7-59 in the shortened season, with a winning percentage of .106. Point differential for Charlotte was -13.9.
Pistons are currently at -11.5 Point differential which is actually not even worst in the league (Spurs at -12.3). The Hornets and Wizards are within striking distance there too.
Obviously the Pistons aren't good, and need to start winning some games to not break the record. But it's debatable they're even the worst team in the league this year, let alone historically. Just a crazy streak of futility in a row.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:46 AM ^
Monty is a good coach. He's just not a great coach.
The problem, as you touch on, is talent. The Pistons are severely lacking in the talent department. They have nice young pieces and little else. More than in any other major sports league, you need top tier talent to win in the NBA, and the Pistons aren't anywhere near the mark necessary to be competitive. Not even a great coach would go very far with this team right now.
EDIT: ignorantly downvote if you must, but this Pistons team is full is super young players and one very good player past his prime. The Pistons' best players are all currently 22 or younger with the exception of Bojan Bogdanovic, who is a very good complimentary piece (on a winning team). The rest of the roster is bad and doesn't fit together well. There isn't a coach in the league who could take this very same roster and make it a top 12 team in the Eastern conference. The losing streak is bad, but it's because this team's roster is also very, very bad right now.