The Pistons Pulse

This podcast was recorded 1/19/25

After taking a quick moment to recap the Detroit Lions’ playoff loss, Bryce and Omari begin analyzing the weaknesses of the Pistons by debating who's the second best player on the roster. After the break, the guys offer additional player reviews, including thoughts on Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser. To close out the pod, Bryce wrangles with the livestream chat on if this upcoming trade deadline is the right time for a big front office move. 

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Bryce and Omari welcome back Free Press sports columnist Shawn Windsor to discuss what's working well for the Detroit Pistons following their win against the New York Knicks. The guys talk Cade's second strong showing at Madison Square Garden this season and the identity the team is now forming. Shawn also shares his thoughts on Ron Holland and how well the team could contend in the future if the rookie continues to develop. After the break, Omari and Bryce continue the conversation around approaches to the trade-deadline. Later, the guys open the floor to listener questions including analyzing what weaknesses could prevent the Pistons from advancing in the playoffs.

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With their win over the Portland Trail Blazers Monday night, the Detroit Pistons elevated their record to 18-18. Recorded the following afternoon, Bryce and Omari talk the good vibes and excitement the team is earning. The guys break down what’s clicking for the team and filling Jaden Ivey’s spot on the roster. After the break, the guys have a long overdue conversation on Paul Reed’s fiery off the bench play. To close out the pod, Wes joins to play a game of “True or False” with a twist.

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After a quick recap of their time together in Denver, Bryce and Omari get right to business covering the leg injury Jaden Ivey suffered in the 4th quarter against the Orlando Magic Wednesday night. At the time of recording the morning after on 1/2/25, the full extent of Ivey’s injury was not yet known and the guys react in real time to Ivey’s injury report towards the end of the pod.

Operating with the mindset that Ivey’s injury would be severe enough to miss an extended amount of time this season, the guys analyze the nexts steps forward for the team. How might J.B. Bickerstaff alter the roster? Is now the time to start Marcus Sasser? What moves are available with Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland? How much can the veterans on the team fill in for Ivey’s production? Will Ivey’s injury change the team’s calculus at the trade deadline? Should the team make moves to win games now or treat this year solely as an evaluation season? Bryce and Omari explore these questions and options. 

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Bryce and Omari recap the Pistons’ matchups against the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz before taking stock of the team as a whole with one-third of the total season now played. The guys talk Cade’s performance as a two-way player and how well the team looks when he’s paired with Ron Holland and Ausar Thompson. How well do Thompson and Holland compliment Cade? In an evaluation type of year for both, how well have Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey defined their roles on the team so far? Which players can serve as pillars the team can build around? Have the guys changed their thoughts on how the team should approach the trade deadline or off season? To close out the show, Wes joins the pod but Bryce plays host this time around in a new trivia segment.

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Bryce and Omari pushed back their recording to the evening of 12/17/24 in preparation for additional roster moves by the Detroit Pistons. While the guys awaited the looming breaking news, the duo answered listener questions live. Bryce and Omari go over questions such as Myles Turner’s possible fit with the Pistons, conveying the upcoming draft pick, what’s the next step for the team’s development, Marcus Sasser replacing Malik Beasley’s role and more. The guys offer real time thoughts as the news of the Javante McCoy signing breaks and Wes joins for another game of “Sheed of Sham?" Stay with freep.com/sports as the Detroit Pistons continue to make further roster adjustments.

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Ku Khahil of "Locked on Pistons" is back with Bryce and Omari this week. Together, the trio conduct a vibe check of the season in light of the Pistons’ blowout loss to the Bucks and their noteworthy recent win against the Knicks. After the break, the guys open up the conversation on player evaluations, including Jaden Ivey’s turnover struggles and Jalen Duren’s defensive stumbles. With a sample size of 25 games now played, the trio look to the future and game out what roster moves the team should make next. Should the Pistons pursue an upgraded center at the trade deadline or during the off-season? How can the organization better build around Cade for the future? Should the team consider a “stop-gap” type of a complimentary player to fill in the role next to Cade in the short-term? The guys analyze these hypotheticals and more.

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After a brief Thanksgiving meal discussion, Bryce and Omari jump right into their regular Pistons coverage, including how much fatigue may have played a role in the team’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. How much grace should fans grant the team given their stretch of games played and travel schedule? After the break, the guys talk the team’s success in playing for the NBA Cup and preview Tuesday’s big matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Find out what Bryce and Omari will be watching for in this early meaningful test for the developing team. The guys close out the show with listener questions, including locking down Malik Beasley’s contract, the biggest surprise of the team’s play so far this season and which player has taken the biggest leap this year.

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This week, Bryce and Omari welcome Nate Duncan of the “Dunc'd On Basketball NBA Podcast” to the show for the first time. Together, the trio spend the episode evaluating how the Pistons’ current season is playing out and what the future may hold. The guys start off with a comprehensive view of the organization’s recent personnel changes and if the team is more complete now under the new regime. Later, the guys put Cade Cunningham under the microscope and analyze what we can learn from his contested finishing metric. The trio also offer thoughts on the kind of player that would be most ideal next to Cade, Jaden Ivey’s level of play, and who has the higher upside between Ron Holland and Ausar Thompson.

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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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Pick up  "The Pistons Pulse" merch here!