Pistons still proving doubters wrong minus Cade Cunningham: ‘We believe we’re best in East’

The Pistons are no longer a feel-good story. They’re a problem.

And as David Aldridge of The Athletic detailed, they’re doing it the old-school way. Defense. Toughness. A little edge.

Detroit’s 113-110 win over the Lakers on Monday snapped L.A.’s nine-game streak and served as another reminder. This isn’t a fluke. This is who they are now.

Even more impressive, the Pistons have kept rolling without All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, who’s sidelined with a collapsed lung, and big man Isaiah Stewart. Next man up. Then the next one.

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has turned this group into a defensive machine. Near the top of the league in defensive rating. First in defensive EPM. And yes, first in fouls, too. They hit you. They bother you. They don’t go away.

“I think it fits the Pistons culture,” center Jalen Duren said.

He’s not wrong. From the Bad Boys to the 2004 champs, Detroit has always leaned into that identity. This group is cut from a similar cloth, led by Duren, Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser. Thompson, in particular, has turned into a defensive menace, topping the league in defensive EPM.

As you know, the rise has been fast. Two years ago, this team lost 28 straight. Now it’s holding down the East’s top seed.

Credit the front office overhaul led by Trajan Langdon and the steady hand of Bickerstaff, who brought a clear plan after his run with the Cavaliers. Throw in key additions like Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter, and suddenly, there’s depth to go with the grit.

Oh, and about Monday. With Cunningham out, guard Daniss Jenkins dropped 30. Because of course he did.

“We believe we’re the best team in the East,” said Caris LeVert.

Bold. Maybe. But in Detroit right now, it doesn’t sound crazy at all.