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Detroit Pistons Reveal NBA Legend’s Visit Before Thunder Matchup

NBA legend Julius Erving paid the Detroit Pisons a visit recently.
Justin Grasso|
Feb 15, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Former NBA players Oscar Robinson (left) and Julius Erving (right) look on in the three-point contest during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Feb 15, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Former NBA players Oscar Robinson (left) and Julius Erving (right) look on in the three-point contest during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

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Recently, a young Detroit Pistons team landed some words of wisdom from the NBA legend Julius Erving.

As the Pistons prepared for their matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, the social team shared photos from Erving’s visit to the training facility in Michigan.

via @DetroitPistons: Legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving recently dropped by to share his wisdom and inspire the squad. #DetroitBasketball

Earlier this month, the Pistons played in a high-profile matchup against the Denver Nuggets at Little Caesars Arena. During the second half, it was revealed that Erving was in the building, as he was posted on the jumbotron, landing love from the Detroit crowd.

It appears that Erving has taken a liking to this young Pistons team that is turning the franchise around and going from a rebuilding team to a playoff contender.

Last season, the Pistons finished the year with a 14-68 record. They had the highest odds to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft as a result. Although the Pistons ended up selecting fifth overall, taking on Ron Holland out of the G League, Detroit didn’t need the top selection to turn things around.

With a couple of veteran additions, like former Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris, former Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr, and former Milwaukee Bucks sharpshooter Malik Beasley, the Pistons’ front office put the right pieces around Cade Cunningham, which gave the Pistons a big boost.

At this point in the 2024-2025 NBA season, the Pistons are 37-31. They hold the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and are on pace to snag a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2019. As they gear up for the potential run, the Pistons are taking in advice from a great.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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