Throughout the first half of the 2025-26 regular season, the Detroit Pistons have taken charge of the Eastern Conference. Since early November, the Pistons have stood in first place in the East, and the group of self-proclaimed nasty dogs in Motown have worked to extend their lead to 5.5 games over second place.

In all, the Pistons’ success this year is the second stage of Detroit head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s wide-scale plan. After dragging the Pistons out of the cellar and into the postseason last year, now Bickerstaff is working to establish Detroit as a league-wide contender, and he’s about to receive some macro NBA recognition on the national stage shortly.

As the coach for the East’s top squad, Bickerstaff was named as the head coach for the All-Star Game this season, an exhibition that will feature Team USA against Team World. Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham has already been named as a starter for this event, so Bickerstaff will have at least one Detroit player on his squad if he’s coaching the American unit. 

Cunningham and Bickerstaff might not be the only Pistons heading to All-Star Weekend, however, given the hot start center Jalen Duren put on this campaign. Averaging just below 18 points and 11 rebounds per night, Duren is a potent lob threat who’s developed into a frightening menace when paired with Cunningham in the pick and roll. On top of those qualities, Duren has spent time improving his shooting form, and JD is posting a tidy 62.7% from the field during Detroit’s climb up the conference standings. 

Outside of Cunningham and Duren, the Pistons have relied on a contingent of role players to fill the scoring gap that Detroit possessed after losing Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley and Dennis Schroder over the offseason. While those three vets were important pieces to the Pistons’ playoff run last season, Bickerstaff was able to keenly pivot by bringing Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert and Javonte Green into the fold. 

Those three players have added a clear dose of veteran leadership on a team that is largely still developing as young players. Robinson has started every game that he’s been healthy for this season, shooting over 38% from long-range and providing the perimeter gravity that the Pistons desperately needed without Beasley. Green has offered a healthy dose of defensive grit and clutch shooting, and LeVert has stepped in to run the point on the second unit often enough to justify his roster spot. 

Although the Pistons quickly rose to the top of the East this year, Detroit has not had an easy ride. Bickerstaff was forced to balance a rash of injury woes through November into December, and his ability to keep the Pistons focused amid an eventual 13-game winning streak was a deft example of skilled leadership. 

Bickerstaff’s journey through the Pistons’ rotation during their health issues also allowed for Detroit to benefit from the emergence of second-year guard Daniss Jenkins. Entering the season as a two-way player coming off a successful rookie campaign with the G-League’s Motor City Cruise, Jenkins was the textbook example of a diamond in the rough. When Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser were all injured, Jenkins performed admirably in both the floor general and the off-ball guard role. 

As all quality coaches do, Bickerstaff has found a way to work with the pieces he’s been given. Whether Jenkins or Cunningham is initiating offense for the Pistons, Bickerstaff has instilled confidence in his team, and he’s a central figure to Detroit’s undeniable success. 

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