Detroit Pistons Media Day Reactions and Takeaways: Internal Development and Right Mentality

The Detroit Pistons had their media day today, as they prepare to start training camp a week ahead of their first preseason game on October 6 against the Memphis Grizzlies. The media asked a lot of questions about the offseason, Jaden Ivey, and the internal development.

The organization, however, focused on the importance of their approach and anticipation to get back after it following their disappointing first-round loss to the New York Knicks. They are no longer "the hunters," as Matt Shepard put it, but they don't sound like it. The team clearly has the right mentality to take the next step. Of course, everyone is "in the best shape of their life" before the season begins, but unlike the Pistons of the past, this team has the intensity to live up to the expectations.

"1 cade cunningham 2024" by Chensiyuan is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Detroit Pistons Media Day: Expectations and Internal Development

Trajan Langdon opened the Detroit Pistons Media Day with optimism, "Our hope is they emerge. Hope is for more wins." He also addressed the team's mentality this summer: "Chips on their shoulder... attacked the summer... to make us better." J.B. Bickerstaff had a similar sentiment, saying that the Pistons "Can't rest on our laurels."

Langdon's emphasis on internal development and choosing the long-term approach is also notable. He noted that they want to be "Competitive, but sustainably competitive." When asked about making a splash in the offseason, Bickerstaff added, "Get a guy?... our guys." The front office and coaching staff have formed a unified front in defending the internal development approach.

This approach isn't always popular among fans and is never popular among media (they need something to write about that generates more clicks), but it is proven to work. For example, look at the success of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

To that end, both Langdon and Bickerstaff had similar approaches. Landgon said, "We're boring." He doesn't make for great quotes, but he does produce great results. Boring quotes and better results are preferable to great quotes and no results. Bickerstaff called it "Coach speak."

On making a splash, Langdon added, "Understanding of where we are at... Let the young core continue to develop," and Bickerstaff said that "All the guys are better" and that many teams "Take a leap and panic." The Pistons aren't panicking.

When asked about how to deal with expectations and how other teams approach the Pistons, Langdon noted that they are no longer able to surprise teams and that they have to "Approach the game as the hunter." In one year, they've changed the perception of the organization. Teams no longer expect to walk in and have a win handed to them when they play the Pistons.

Isaiah Stewart, the longest tenured Pistons player, continued the emphasis on the team, stating, "We're all competitive. As a whole, we look great." The team is ready to take the next step as a unit. The message is clear: We're satisfied with the players we have on this roster.

Cunningham had a similar message: "Obviously, JI being healthy...has been amazing. Honestly, it's really cool to have mainly the same group back. Guys who have chemistry growing." The leader is not only supportive of the approach, but he is also enthusiastic about it. He mentioned that the team is "hungry." Cunningham specifically mentioned Jalen Duren, Marcus Sasser, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, and Ron Holland when asked about offseason improvement. He noted that it's the best offseason he's been a part of.

Detroit Pistons Media Day: Getting Healthy, Athleticism, and Adaptability

Many questions surrounded the status of Jaden Ivey, with good cause. Much of the offseason centered on whether Ivey can be the team's second star. When asked about Ivey's health, Langdon noted that "He's been in the gym... He's been live." Cunningham has plenty of good things to say about Ivey as well. He's clearly excited to be back on the floor with him. Ivey said he had been working on being a better playmaker by "making the right plays."

Bickerstaff had additional things to say about Ivey and Ausar Thompson playing together, and that they could be the "fastest combination of wings in the league. [I] believe it can be a weapon of ours." This ties back to the concerns fans have about outside shooting. The team has a clear focus on what it does well rather than what people think it should do well.

Bickerstaff talked about versatility and adaptability. He noted that Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland can handle the ball, make plays, and shoot the ball. When asked about the new addition, Caris LeVert, he continued this line of thought, noting his adaptability. He's clearly excited to have him here. He mentioned how LeVert willingly changed his role frequently in Cleveland.

Caris LeVert 40-point Game

That's the team's strength. They have players who can adapt to different roles and, more importantly, are willing to do so to help the team win. Cunningham also emphasized the team's versatility, highlighting its defense and playmaking throughout the lineup.

The Pistons are also healthy going into the season. Having players return from injury is like adding new players. Many questions focused on Ivey's return and Thompson's full offseason regimen. Both players should be ready to go, and the team clearly would have benefited from both being at full tilt in the playoffs.

However, Stewart's return should also feel like an addition. Stewart's absence loomed large in the series, and he seemed confident about the results if he had played: "Had I played, the series would have turned out different." All three players exemplify the emphasis the Pistons have placed on athleticism, adaptability, and versatility.

Detroit Pistons Media Day: The Right Mentality

Every year, the start of training camp offers a clean slate, and every team can speak optimistically. Detroit fans have experienced this rigmarole before. However, this Pistons team feels different. In 2016 and 2019, they made the playoffs, but no one expected those teams to grow. They had reached their peak as a unit. This team has not. The team's core players are all 25 or younger.

The Pistons front office took the right approach and avoided the "DO SOMETHING" mentality that can cause ascending teams to wreck their long-term and short-term prospects. Many teams do that in the NBA. They have one good season and push all the chips in for a superstar. It may grab headlines and draw more national media attention to the team, but it doesn't necessarily lead to success.

Follow the careers of Paul George, James Harden, and Kevin Durant (After Golden State). Every offseason, one of them grabs headlines by joining a group that's ready to "take the next step." They never do. Instead, consider that the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder met in the 2025 NBA Finals because they traded George and built long-term sustainable teams.

The Pistons don't have a "superstar" mentality. They are reminiscent of the "Goin' to Work" era team. They work hard and grind. Teams won't feel comfortable playing against them. They have the mentality that they already have the pieces in place. If everyone continues to improve, they can "take the next step" all on their own.

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