Detroit Pistons' Winning Streak Ends Vs. Steph Curry, Warriors: What Went Wrong?

Can the Detroit Pistons bounce back after their narrow loss to the Golden State Warriors? The defeat, 107-104, ended their five-game winning streak, and the Pistons face critical questions about their defensive strategies and reliance on star player Cade Cunningham.
Explore the Pistons' defensive struggles against the Warriors' dynamic offense and how Cade Cunningham's mixed performance impacted the game. Discover insights into Jalen Duren's recent improvements and the potential need for another playmaker to support Cunningham. The episode also touches on coach JB Bickerstaff's strategic adjustments and the challenges posed by the Warriors' aggressive defense.
Don't miss this engaging analysis of the Pistons' current challenges and prospects. Please tune in for a deep dive into the team's evolving dynamics and what it means for their season ahead.
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[@thugwayjoepog8163]

If a loss can be encouraging... this was. Tuned in early 1st quarter, the loose balls killed the Pistons . Time to start another win streak

[@King_Lou96]

Ausar's hesitance to shoot jumpers makes me feel ron holland will eventually be the better player. Ron isn't afraid to shoot and the jumper is fluid because of it. Also defenses cave in on cade because of two non shooters on the floor between duren and ausar. Cade couldn't take advantage of Dennis guarding him the entire time ausar was on the floor. I hope he can figure it out because I love his potential, but rn it feels mental. Almost Ben Simmons like which scares the shit out of me lol.

[@arthursese6068]

Tough to start Ausar against competent coaches that gameplan against Ausar. Utah did the same thing as the Warriors, they put their best defender on Ausar and ignored him. When the offense is trying to find their rhythm it’s tough when the defense dictates where you have to go. When defenses do this, Ausar has to be the primary scorer. Ausar has to shoot. Have to force the other team to stop ignoring him.

[@LockedOnPistons]

There’s ways to counter when defenses do it, but the Pistons just haven’t

[@King_Lou96]

@@LockedOnPistons what scheme would u run to consistently counter?

[@arthursese6068]

@@LockedOnPistons it depends on the other teams gameplan. The Jazz and the Warriors did something unorthodox and played out of position on defense. Timberwolves played straight up. Had the Timberwolves put Rudy Gobert on Ausar that would have really mucked up the Pistons offense. This unorthodox approach really forces the Pistons hand. The Warriors also made sure to run their own offense and make sure the Pistons couldn’t get out in transition, forcing them to play their ugly half court offense.

[@unclesam6972]

Maybe better offensively but who know

[@yourboiace]

I love the fight back at the end! ❤❤❤

[@alisyed7659]

Ku talk about how Ausar Thompson is doing health wise, his game, etc. Rockets supporter here, Amen and Ausar Thompson are Special.

[@LockedOnPistons]

He was very sick yesterday, think he has the flu

[@clararichardson3558]

ENERGY!! They had none until the second half. FREE THROWS!! I think the out come would be different if they would’ve made few more free throws.

[@luniz4209]

I don't think they were flat when Duren stole the ball and went coast to coast for a dunk. Stop using this lazy excuse. Sometimes you just lose because the other team is better. GS is just "good at basketball" in a way that the Pistons haven't got to. It's not about energy, it's about being outsmarted, out-anticipated. As far as Tech goes, he's putting the ball on the floor because that's how he's defended and JB is telling him to. Think about it, in the first segment you're saying the Pistons need somebody who can create a shot and dribble the ball, and then you're complaining about Tech dribbling to create a shot. How can you say that the Pistons don't need it? They absolutely need it, it's just that Tech isn't good at it.

[@halowarrior917]

Sasser makes me miss CoJo

[@scottwickett1273]

Yep!

[@jodygrimmett3745]

1st Listen. What's good Ku. Like they say, you can't win em all. Golden State did what Denver did. Their enforcer threw a wrench in the mix. Russell Westbrook and Draymond Green. I like how Holland and Stew don't be buying that BS. Next time against those same two teams, we getting our get back. Word up.

[@Chopperbishop]

Shout out to Beasley for that huge dunk at the end of the game

[@halowarrior917]

What went wrong? Marcus Sasser sucks. That's what. Dude has had one solid game all year and every other game has been a triple single on terrible efficiency.

[@scottwickett1273]

Yes, and I feel bad for him because it's not his fault: he's not a point guard, and is thus being tasked with a job he can't do.

[@halowarrior917]

@@scottwickett1273 I don't..he's getting paid millions to stay in tiptop shape and play a game. And he's not very good, by pro standards. He's the worst player on the floor almost every time he's in the game.

[@scottwickett1273]

@@halowarrior917 I agree with all of that, but still he's being misused because he's a 2 and only a 2.

[@halowarrior917]

@@scottwickett1273 which is why Weaver got fired. We should've traded up for Whitmore. He went like 5 picks ahead of Sasser.

[@scottwickett1273]

@@halowarrior917 Whitmore seems like kind of a dick and not nearly as good as he thinks he is, I don't care about him at all....but yes the Sasser trade was a comical moron disaster wrought by the worst and dumbest GM in the history of this sport. (I wanted Jordan Walsh, but the correct answer here is probably GG Jackson or maybe Leonard Miller; I would still like to have Walsh!)

[@King_Lou96]

Seen you at the UWM parking structure Ku. It was cool running into you. What is it like being credentialed? Do you get free seats or access to players?

[@LockedOnPistons]

Yes to both!

[@King_Lou96]

@LockedOnPistons that's dope and thanks for replying brother

[@FC-hr4ww]

Spot on, no other play maker without Cade and Ivey. Sasser is clearly a scorer and Cade going to bench without Ivey we struggle to create good shots. Miss opportunity with Steph having a bad game and getting out hustled and beat by santos and waters?. Warriors seem to get easy buckets with elite ball movement and sets, while we seem to struggle to get a good shot with everything running through Cade.

[@bridgelion4968]

Ron Holland is our enforcer. He don’t play that

[@King_Lou96]

We gave up too many 2nd chance points off of offensive rebounds

[@DeVonAmbitious]

I wish you had given a name. We know they need another creator. I hope they get Brodgan or Conley. People just look at their age, but they're really just rentals. Conley can get us picks back, too. Both can come back cheap, and that solves the backup PG position. Tek was overvalued because we had no shooters. I never really saw him as this great player the way others did. Even he said he's a role player.

[@scottwickett1273]

Conley is cooked, and how are you getting picks back?

[@DeVonAmbitious]

​@scottwickett1273 That's why I'll take him. We don't need a great backup, PG. We just need a playmaker. He's experienced a vet. If we get two 2nd rds, that would be good. He only makes 9 mil and next year he's expiring.

[@scottwickett1273]

@@DeVonAmbitious But how are you getting picks out of this? Because I too am fine with getting back Conley's corpse, but what's the incentive for the Wolves? Is it just saving money, i.e. the trade is Conley and two seconds for nothing at all? Incidentally it has been brought to my attention elsewhere that Beasley was with the Wolves at the start of Ant's career, maybe they would want him, and maybe the Pistons can get their own pick back?

[@DeVonAmbitious]

Pistons don't need that pick and Beasley needs to resign. He's has too much vaule to just trade away, unless he said for sure he's gone.Wolves are a 2nd apron team and Pistons have about 19 mil in cap. Pistons can take on bad contracts to get teams under the apron. The trade can look like this Pistons: Get X player plus X draft picks. Other team: Nothing or cash considerations Also if the player is expiring next season they can flip him again for picks or for a bad contract kinda like the THJ deal.

[@scottwickett1273]

@@DeVonAmbitious They need all the picks they can get, and Beasley is allowed to leave if he wants, so they should trade him before that happens; he absolutely is not "too valuable to trade away", because if a sixth man approaching age 30 is a crucial part of your future that only means you don't HAVE a future. (Also the Pistons have 14 million, not 19; I've been on the trade machine all morning, Lol.) I do basically agree that Conley + multiple second rounders for nothing in return is an acceptable use of cap space, but I'm hoping for better than that.

[@cordelldemattei5446]

Wow Ku, your big hype take was they should get a backup point guard? That’s pretty disappointing since it has been an obvious shortcoming of this team since before the preseason. It’s hardly worth mentioning at this point if the season if it hasn’t yet happened much less any hype as a take.

[@astrahl]

That wasn’t even his take but ok 😅

[@cordelldemattei5446]

@@astrahl another playmaker, back up PG: tomato, tomahto. Same meaning.

[@LockedOnPistons]

No I want them to go get a legit shot creator, but if it results in just a backup PG I’ll take it

[@cordelldemattei5446]

@ what’s your definition of a shot creator? Would Zion count? He can make his own shot and pretty good on assists. JI and THJ for him works money-wise as I was pushing yesterday. High risk, but high reward.

[@LockedOnPistons]

Yes Zion counts

[@bridgelion4968]

Ausar was very effective while on the court. He don’t need to shoot 3s to be good. I blame the coach for not recognizing this. He played better than Simon. Thompson even made a 3 and coach didn’t put him back in. Just because Tec can shoot a 3 don’t mean he’s effective

[@scottwickett1273]

I really think this specific game it was just that Ausar is still sick, so he got winded faster than usual.

[@bridgelion4968]

@ yea he did look exhausted at the free throw line

[@scottwickett1273]

@@bridgelion4968 Yea everyone gets sick this time of year, this isn't a worry.

[@kentbooth6878]

I said it earlier in the season that we need another ball handler to help Cade. It is especially evident now that Ivey is out. We HAVE to find someone. I wish we would've traded for Schoder

[@scottwickett1273]

The lack of a backup point guard is intentional.

[@pheralanpathfinder4897]

​@@scottwickett1273hard to miss the playoffs and keep the puck if the roster construction doesn't have a big flaw

[@scottwickett1273]

@@pheralanpathfinder4897 Yep!

[@AnthonyJones-j6g]

We need fultz Lonzo or smart

[@scottwickett1273]

If this GM wanted a backup point guard he would already have one: it's the easiest thing to find! We can conclude from this fact that he instead wants tanking, the other teams just aren't cooperating, Lol.

[@AnthonyJones-j6g]

@scottwickett1273 cap

[@scottwickett1273]

@@AnthonyJones-j6g Which part isn't true? Because "backup point guard is the easiest thing to find within the NBA ecosystem" is definitely and inarguably true, just because of population-wide height distribution.

[@AndrewPolander]

Because of the IVEY injury...can't see the Pistons doing anything big...probably a couple of moves around the margins..The Ivey injury was huge in a negative way!

[@scottwickett1273]

They weren't gonna do anything big anyway, unless Langdon is a LOT dumber than I think he is.

[@LockedOnPistons]

Would a backup point guard who can create be big or margins?

[@scottwickett1273]

@@LockedOnPistons It would be antithetical to Langdon's prior moves: he could have one of those if he wanted one because it's the easiest thing to find, so I can only conclude that he wanted tanking instead of that this season and it's just that the other teams aren't cooperating.

[@pheralanpathfinder4897]

​@@LockedOnPistonsmargins unless it's an expensive 6th man

[@astrahl]

Ku you should consider giving away a prize for the subscriber goal. Like say a Cade rookie card or some locked on swag. Then once you you hit you give it away. Once you hit 10k you can have everyone leave a comment on a vid to enter giveaway. Just a thought

[@derekbrown2763]

why does ku say “it is what it is” so much?

[@user-nu3zi3um6g]

I think detroit went to a zone because Miami went to zone vs golden state and realized very good success last game

[@Shortballa11]

You ain’t seen Curry tbis season then. He’s had way worse games. One game he had 2 points and they got blown out by 50

[@arthurjacksonjr6276]

Duren has not been in foul trouble… no center does both be honest.

[@Acheeka77]

Steph had a worse game a few days ago he wa o for everything

[@King_Lou96]

Sasser needs to start being aggressive or we aren't getting anything from him. He had 3 points and probably took 3 shots. He needs to be aggressive looking for his shot and creating for himself. It'll eventually make the playmaking easier. We don't have any other ball handlers that can create from themselves. Bunch of catch and shoot guys that can't dribble. When Cade sat our offense came to a halt.

[@scottwickett1273]

That's a feature rather than a bug, Lol.

[@pheralanpathfinder4897]

Sasser is struggling to be the floor general when Cade is catching his breath. It's the Job of the PG, but something Sasser hasn't proven himself to be able to do

[@pheralanpathfinder4897]

Sasser is struggling to be the floor general when Cade is catching his breath. It's the Job of the PG, but something Sasser hasn't proven himself to be able to do

[@scottwickett1273]

​@@pheralanpathfinder4897 And it's not his fault: he never had that skillset, and is being asked to do something he can't do.

[@bridgelion4968]

I be so mad when we lose because I have a lot of faith in this team

[@bridgelion4968]

Trade fontechio and sasser they not like us lol

[@scottwickett1273]

Sasser doesn't have trade value.

[@__willgraves2166]

After watching almost every game this season Ku, I think a Tim Hardaway Jr./ Simone Fontechio for Cam Johnson trade helps this team take a step forward. I agree Detroit needs a real backup PG outside of Cade & Ivey (keeping Sasser) and look into an additon center in the offseason/ next year (aka Clint Capela).

[@AndrewPolander]

THE NETS have no interest in those 2....they want 1's!!!!!!! Those 2 and a couple of 1's...then you get their attention!

[@scottwickett1273]

@@AndrewPolander Yes we're getting some scuttlebutt now: Pacers want Cam J, but Nets want Jarace or Mathurin and Pacers said no, per reports. Other reports have stated the Nets have priced Cam J at two firsts, but will probably end up with one first and a prospect.

[@LockedOnPistons]

Cam would be great!

[@scottwickett1273]

@@LockedOnPistons The Pistons should not be giving away picks for decent vets: they are still at ground zero, this is the very start of a rebuild under Langdon.

[@AndrewPolander]

GS has an old...mediocre line-up!

[@superkoopa6202]

what's wrong with Ausar this game , just few minutes in and he is already gassed, stop contesting open shots, stop closing to defenders, no wonder he got benched rest of the game

[@cordelldemattei5446]

Maybe he was still drained from being sick?

[@scottwickett1273]

@@cordelldemattei5446 Yes he is literally still sick.

[@LockedOnPistons]

He was not feeling good at all

[@Scott23-q4b]

So many excuses made for a dude shooting 45% from the stripe and 26% from 3

[@scottwickett1273]

​@@Scott23-q4b You're so stupid, this is really embarrassing for you.

[@KevinWilliams-ci1sh]

C.J. would be perfect fit! Creator and 2nd ballhandler!

[@scottwickett1273]

Absolutely not, why in fuck would you want to pay him 30 million next year to continue to get older and worse?

[@AndrewPolander]

On a night where Curry was NOT good...and we still lost...not encouraging!!! GS is mediocre! What will the GM do?? Losing IVEY was BIG...

[@scottwickett1273]

It's still not a good team, they have just gotten to play a whole bunch of games against teams that either are overtly tanking or were missing their star(s) that day. Still at ground zero, the very start of a rebuild, and the GM knows it.

[@kiecawestmoreland9307]

We literally 19-19 and yall bitching after we fought back continuously in the worst game we’ve played in a month and somehow still loss by four. Yall the type of fans that won’t even be grateful if they win a championship in 5 games,” cuz it should’ve been a sweep” smh

[@scottwickett1273]

@@kiecawestmoreland9307 That's not true at all.

[@Scott23-q4b]

23 is missed

[@NachoNick502]

THJ was a great addition! His presence makes things easier for Cade and his wing defense is way better

[@LockedOnPistons]

They did miss his spacing tonight

[@pheralanpathfinder4897]

Grimes was a massive loss. He's showing out for the Mavs with Luka and Irving injured. His good defense has been appreciated by Dallas all season.

[@scottwickett1273]

@@pheralanpathfinder4897 He traded Grimes for the 33rd pick (as of today) in the upcoming draft; Hardaway's on-court contributions are just a bonus.

[@King_Lou96]

If they make a trade they should get Jordan Clarkson off the bench for us. Him and Ron can box in the locker room to squash the beef

[@LockedOnPistons]

Clarkson would really help

[@bridgelion4968]

Fact Ku. Tec is not good. I would rather Ausar non shooting be on the court for 30 plus mins

[@halowarrior917]

Ron Holland needs more minutes. Start Cade, THJ, Ron, Tobias, and Duren

[@scottwickett1273]

You spelled Stew wrong, unless you're trying to lose on purpose (which is still entirely defensible!).

[@halowarrior917]

@@scottwickett1273 Stew needs more minutes also, but Ron Holland almost always makes an impact on defense. When he's engaged, good things generally happen. I'm a big fan of his game and he's showing a lot more promise than I expected. More minutes for him could lead to RotY

[@scottwickett1273]

@@halowarrior917 I love Ron, I'm with you on that: I meant Stew should start over Duren because he's so much better!

[@halowarrior917]

Stew, Tec, and Sasser for Brandon Ingram

[@scottwickett1273]

Goddammit no, nobody should want Ingram even for free because of how much he's gonna cost on his next contract and also because of how many games he misses.

[@halowarrior917]

@@scottwickett1273 yeah you're right, we shouldn't try to get an impact player who can put the ball in the bucket while dumping a walking technical foul, a professional bricklayer, and a midget professional bricklayer. How silly of me.

[@halowarrior917]

@@scottwickett1273 what this team needs is shot creation. Ingram gives you shot creation and solid, if unspectacular defense and rebounding. And yeah. You're gonna have to pay to get talented players to come to Detroit. Might as well swing a trade for one and try to convince him with the on court product. Maybe he'll even take a bit of a discount for the team that willingly trades for him. I'd say the same about Jimmy Butler. Shot creator and a defender. Only thing with Butler is, I'd offer a much shorter deal.

[@scottwickett1273]

@@halowarrior917 Ingram gets hurt constantly and his next contract is going to be a disaster for whatever sucker pays him. (Jimmy is simply way too old.)

[@warzone_snipes4147]

Easy fix trade sasser and a pick to the suns for beal and absorb the contract easy fix

[@scottwickett1273]

Fuck no, that would be fucking disastrous. They would have to give me THREE first round picks (which they don't have) to absorb Beal's disgustingly horrible contract: he's mid as hell and wildly overpaid.

[@warzone_snipes4147]

@ he’s a scorer playmaker and willing to come off the bench when ivey comes back you’re insane

[@kiecawestmoreland9307]

@@warzone_snipes4147no you’re insane.. why would we take on that heavy ass contract? Think brother

[@scottwickett1273]

@@kiecawestmoreland9307 Thank you! You're exactly right.

[@warzone_snipes4147]

@ who’s going to come here and play willingly 😂