Great Guest Take Comparing the Pistons and Wings by Max DeMara
Playoff Runs Distance Red Wings and Pistons
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By Max DeMara
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If you need any further proof that there is an obvious gap between the successes of the Red Wings and Pistons, just look at what we learned during the respective team’s playoff runs this spring. And it’s not just because of the newest title to arrive in Motown, it’s the mindset.
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Don’t get me wrong, the Pistons have accomplished great things by remaining a constant force in an NBA that always seems to radically change. They routinely win the Central Division, make the playoffs, reach the Eastern Conference Finals, sell out home games and delight their fans. But what is there to show for it? Only two NBA finals appearances, back to back years in 2004 and 2005 and the lone NBA championship in 2004. On paper, this looks nice. However, for a franchise whose mission is to win multiple titles, this is unacceptable. Everything about the Detroit Pistons attitude reeks of complacency.
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This year in the playoffs, the Pistons always seemed to be flirting with disaster. In the first round, they fell behind Philadelphia before desperately forging a rally. Orlando showed them a major fight before barely bowing out in five games. Then, the Boston Celtics helped the Pistons to finally find the disaster they had been evading. After the Pistons accomplished something that no other NBA team had by winning a playoff game in Boston, they came home with the chance to take a 3-1 stranglehold in the series by winning twice. Instead of getting it done, they found a way to choke at home twice in three games and allow the Celtics to win the series. The playoffs became the Pistons most inconsistent time of year. Players lost focus and trust in each other; there were lapses in coaching, offense and defense. Quite frankly, the Pistons looked like an old team going through the motions.
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Head down the road towards Detroit and there was a very different scenario taking place at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings won the Central Division and had the best regular season record in the league. For this team, regular season accolades were not enough. The Red Wings faced adversity in the playoffs with losses, questionable goaltending early, injuries and a few lapses as well. Yet, they were able to overcome all of this because of their incomparable hunger. A hunger instilled and demanded by Coach Mike Babcock and reinforced by Captain Nick Lidstrom, who would never let the team lose their daily focus during the grind. Thanks to this, the Red Wings won the big games they needed to. They beat Nashville in game 5 after losing twice to take a 3-2 series edge, they closed out Colorado on the road in a hostile environment, and they roared back to dominate Dallas on the road after losing two games in a row. Perhaps the most convincing proof of their hunger was after game 5 against Pittsburgh in the finals. Pundits wondered aloud if the Red Wings were finished, despite still holding a 3-2 series edge, due to their age and the physical and mental toll of a crushing three overtime loss. Instead, the Wings refused to listen to those writing them off, and beat the Penguins with possibly their most complete game of the playoffs. They captured the Stanley Cup in dominating fashion.
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The fates of these two teams through the summer will be radically different. The Pistons already fired Flip Saunders, and Joe Dumars promised to shake up the roster dramatically as well. This is the exact thing that is needed, new hunger and new attitudes. That may include bringing in a young player with question marks like Carmelo Anthony. The time for the complacent mindset is over; the time to take chances is now. Meanwhile, the Red Wings are set up to contend well into the future thanks to the savvy work of general manager Ken Holland and the fiery coaching of Mike Babcock. They can do as much or as little as they wish during the summer with plenty of cap room and a young core of budding superstar players supported by wily veterans who all share the same value for winning when it counts.
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On paper, it would appear as if Pistons and Red Wings are similar teams. Both enjoy regular season success, are popular and dominate their respective leagues. Paper shows us that the Pistons had a fine playoff run. They only advanced one round short of where the Red Wings advanced. Paper will also tell you that the Pistons starters are aging, while many Red Wings starters are young.
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That’s the funny thing about paper. Sometimes it lies and tells the truth at the same time.
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