The Pistons Pulse

At 7-9, the Detroit Pistons are off to their best start in six years. Bryce and Omari begin the show by evaluating the team as a whole and breaking down what's changed for them this year. While they’ve frustratingly left some close games on the table, the team seems to be more locked in this year, especially on the defensive end. What explains the team's current ranking of 8th overall defensively in the NBA? After the break, the guys jump right into player evaluations, including Jalen Duren’s awareness, the strong green flag of Ron Holland’s play, and a shout out to Marcus Sasser. To close out the show, the guys cover Cade Cunningham showing elements of a true two-way player. If he continues this pace, could Cade play his way into the all-star conversation? Bryce and Omari also answer listener questions, including the future problem of what the team should do with their upcoming draft pick. 

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After spending a moment to acknowledge the Detroit Lions’ wild Sunday night win, Bryce and Omari get right to business covering the Detroit Pistons’ 2-2 week. While the team is showing a greater capacity for competitive play this year, the guys have notes on where the team is faltering including in the middle portions of their matchups and their 3- point shooting. What can the team do to better finish out games? As for Cade Cunningham, what’s making his defense more impactful this season so far? What do we need to see from his 3-point percentage, free throw attempts or foul drawing to maximize his role on the court? The guys also have thoughts on Jaden Ivey’s improved control over his speed and Isaiah Stewart’s need on offense. Bryce and Omari also review the 3-point shooting from Ron Holland and Tobias Harris. To close out the show, the guys answer listener questions including how J. B. Bickerstaff has improved the team’s overall defense.

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Bryce and Omari recap the Pistons’ 106-92 win over the Brooklyn Nets and analyze what improvements they’re seeing so far for the team compared to last year. The guys look at the veteran impact that helped lift the team to their 2nd win of the season. Despite turning the ball over 17 times, the guys note the solid job the defense did holding the Nets to 92 points. After a noticeable improved flow on offense during the preseason, the guys break down if the 0.5 offensive approach has stalled out in the regular season. After the break, the guys dive into individual player analysis including if Isaiah Stewart should start or come off the bench. They also cover Simone Fontecchio’s rhythm, Ron Holland development needs on offense and Tobias Harris’ effectiveness as a creator. The guys close out the show with listener questions including if now is the time the team should consider going after Brandon Ingram.

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Omari joins Bryce from the road in Miami this week. The guys have a small sample size of real basketball to review and they start with the Piston’s tough comeback loss to the Celtics. The team needs to cement a win soon but are they actually better than what their rough start to open the season indicates? Bryce and Omari note a resolve and fight in the team plus flashes of a new gear on defense. The guys also go over where the team is falling short including half court possessions stalling out. After the break, Bryce and Omari focus in on individual players including concerning turnovers by Cade, Jaden Ivey’s ideal role and what we’ve seen of the rookie Ron Holland. 

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With regular season NBA games finally here this week, Bryce and Omari put listener/fan questions front and center for the 2024 Detroit Pistons. After some quick thoughts on the two-way signings of Alondes Williams and Cole Swider, Bryce asks if there’s been any update on the status of Ausar Thompson. Do we have an idea of how the new front office views the stand-out defender? How suitable could Ron Holland be as a replacement?

The guys also discuss questions regarding the backup point guard role, potential roster shakeups, and expectations for Cade this season. With an intriguing draft class on the near horizon, the guys also discuss if there’s any merit to another underperforming Pistons season to draft a player like Cooper Flagg.

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Bryce and Omari welcome back Ku Khahil of "Locked on Pistons" to the podcast. As the Pistons continues their ramp up to the regular season, the guys get Ku's thought on how the team looks overall including seemingly better vibes and responses to veteran leadership. On offense, the pacing appears faster and there's been developments with the the off-ball movement. Are we starting to see the foundations of a 9-man rotation? After the break, the guys dive into player specific evaluations including Cade's improved floater. The guys also hone in on Jalen Duren's disciplined approach to rim protection, Jaden Ivey's more fluid jump shot and if the team's approach to floor spacing is making a noticeable impact. 

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It’s only one preseason game. That’s the driving mantra behind today’s pod that Bryce and Omari consistently acknowledge throughout the show. With that said, the guys have quite a few positive takeaways for our first glimpse of the 2024 Detroit Pistons. The guys start off the pod looking at the team as a whole in their 120-87 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Could this performance be considered a proof of concept or foundation for how the team can move the rebuild forward? After the break, the guys turn their attention towards individual players. In what could be a make or break year for him, how well did Jaden Ivey’s efforts on offense and defense look? How did rookie Ron Holland look? The guys also go over notes for Cade Cunningham, Malik Beasley, Marcus Sasser and more.

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With exhibition games almost here, Bryce and Omari continue their coverage ramp up to the regular season by recapping the major takeaways from the Piston's media day. After a quick shoutout to the Detroit Tigers and Lions, the guys get right into the media day questions and quotes that peaked their interest. What do the guys make of Trajan Langdon's belief that the team needs to find their identity in the 1.5 version of the rebuild? What kind of leap would the Pistons need to make defensively to rise above a bottom 10 ranking in the league? Are the recently acquired veteran members of the roster already making an impact on the younger players? What's the status of Ausar Thompson's health and how does he view his defensive play going into his sophomore year? With Cade's strong finish to close out the prior season, how might his off-season conditioning be different this year? The guys go over these media moments and have a few food takes thrown in for good measure. In what could be one of the most pivotal moments in "The Pistons Pulse" food discussions, has Bryce finally seen the light in homemade mac and cheese?  

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As we draw closer to the regular season and discussing "real basketball", Bryce and Omari are pleased to present their annual all lineup predictions episode. The guys discuss the most likely starting lineup and break down the team's potential versatility on offense. They analyze what lineups will best reveal the stock of players like Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey. The duo also discuss Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thomson as starters, non-floor spacers vs. bad floor spacers, bench units, staggering, and more. Listen in on this all lineup focused episode. 

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Free Press sports columnist Shawn Windsor joins Bryce and Omari this week to take stock of the Detroit Pistons. With training camp just around the corner, the trio discuss the lingering questions they have for the team going into the regular season. They cover Cade’s potential ceiling and what players like Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey need to show to cement themselves as key contributors. As the team attempts to claw back from a historically rough season, what would success look like for this young team? To close out the show, Bryce and Omari answer another round of listener questions.

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