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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Blake Silverman

Four Reasons Behind the Pistons' Emergence Into the NBA's Best Surprise This Season

Detroit Pistons forward Thompson and Detroit Pistons guard Cunningham stand at center court with Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Langdon to be recognized for being named to the NBA All-Star Team before their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Little Caesars Arena. | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons are in postseason position. Not just for a spot in the play-in tournament, either. The Pistons are poised to finish as one of the top-six teams in the Eastern Conference, bypassing the play-in. Before this season, Detroit's current standing was unfathomable.

Just last year, they finished 14-68, the worst record in the NBA and the worst finish in franchise history. They parted ways with head coach Monty Williams after only one season, with owner Tom Gores eating the rest of Williams's lucrative six-year, $78.5 million contract.

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