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Detroit Pistons Shunned Just Like Detroit Lions for Season Awards

Shockingly, Detroit Pistons head man does not get named NBA Coach of the Year!
John Maakaron|
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff coaches against the New York Knicks during the third quarter of game two
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff coaches against the New York Knicks during the third quarter of game two | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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The Detroit Pistons were shunned during the 2024-2025 NBA season awards, similar to the Detroit Lions.

Despite winning 15 games in 2024, Dan Campbell was shockingly not named Coach of the Year.

After hitting rock bottom last season, the Pistons decided to revamp their front office and coaching staff, hiring J.B. Bickerstaff after parting ways with Monty Williams, who was only able to win 14 games in his lone season in Motown.

Despite an immediate and drastic turnaround, Bickerstaff was not named NBA Coach of The Year. After leading the Pistons to a 44-38 record and a trip to the playoffs, Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers was given the award. Atkinson ironically replaced Bickerstaff, and led Detroit's divisional foe to a 64-18 record.

As a result of a stellar season, multiple players on the Pistons' roster were in the running for seasonal awards.

Unfortunately, Cade Cunningham did not win Most Improved Player and Malik Beasley fell short of winning Sixth Man of the Year. Bickerstaff's snub left the Pistons 0-3 during awards season.

On Tuesday, the number was pushed to 0-for-4 as the Pistons were snubbed again. President of basketball operations Trajan Langdon finished third in Executive of the Year voting, with Oklahoma City's Sam Presti taking home the honors.

Beasley took to social media and expressed, "3 finalists ... no winners .. yup Detroit vs everybody."

According to Detroit Pistons OnSI, "Bickerstaff had spent the last five seasons at the helm of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He produced promising results there, taking them from a young rebuilding squad to winning as many as 51 games in one season. Given his track record with young cores, the Pistons brought him in with the hope he could elevate the young talent on the roster."

The Pistons were eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Knicks, who won their first-round series (4-2) in six games.

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!

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