Detroit Pistons will be fun to watch, but is that enough?

USA Today ranked the Detroit Pistons as the No.6 team in their countdown that’s been ranking NBA teams based on their watchability.

The Pistons have to be elated by this No. 6 rating considering the utter lack of watchability their teams have had in recent memory, and especially the team a season ago.

The Pistons made radical and much-needed improvements to their roster and coaching staff this offseason. Many of the moves though were controversial and came with questioning:

Can Josh Smith improve as a shooter, or is he in a situation now where he doesn’t have to take as
many bad shots? Is Brandon Jennings going to grow as a point guard and finally utilize the weapons around him? Was Maurice Cheeks the right coach to guide this completely retooled and eclectic lineup?

It’s much too early to answer any of these questions, but the city of Detroit and fans worldwide are certain of one thing: They’re excited to watch Pistons basketball again.

The Pistons have been cellar dwellers in terms of attendance for the past half decade. It’s rather disheartening when recounting all the sellouts and raucous crowds that flooded the Palace when the team was dominating the Eastern Conference year after year. Yet, nothing lasts forever.

Bad signings, bad drafting and no stability have rattled this once proud franchise.

But, things should definitely be on the upswing for this upcoming season.

Detroit’s sports teams will help lift city

With its finances ravaged and its neighborhoods hollowed out by a long, slow decline in population and auto manufacturing, Detroit became the largest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy last month.

So now, with their backs against the wall, the people of Detroit will look to what many other people look to whenever their city seems down and out: their local sports teams.

For example, look at how the New Orleans Saints gathered together in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina to make the playoffs for their city which was dismantled physically and emotionally.

Or how about the Terrorist Attacks of 9-11? Who can forget about the home run by New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza in Shea Stadium 10 days after the attacks of 9/11 during the first major sporting event to be held in beleaguered New York after the attacks.

Or even the great postseason run by the New York Yankees in 2001, which may have ended in a game 7 World Series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, but had many amazing historic times throughout the journey, including my favorite of all-time; Derek Jeter’s flip toss to home plate to get the out against the Oakland A’s

Last but not least, the most recent tragedy, which was the Boston Bombings during this years Boston Marathon that left the whole country in shock.

Who can forget the amazing speech by Red Sox DH David Ortiz, which sent chills through my spine, let alone the people of Boston. Or how about the postseason run by the Bruins, which may have ended in a game 6 Stanley Cup loss to the Champion Blackhawks, but was also filled with memories and excitement that included one of the most improbable comebacks in NHL history. And even with the Red Sox thus far, sitting with the best record in the American League, which is 70-46.

But now, its time for my hometown city of Detroit to restore the pride and the faith within its people. And here is how each team can do just that:

Chauncey Billups: Pistons would Still Be Elite Team if they Didn’t Trade Me

If you don’t remember, a few years ago the Pistons were on the short list year end and year out for the NBA title. They were an elite team, fielding a squad that was built around defense and balanced scoring. Two concepts that might seem a tad foreign in today’s NBA.

Chauncey Billups was the leader and floor general for those Pistons teams, leading them to a NBA title in 2004 and leading them to another Finals appearance and numerous Conference Finals appearances.

All that success was broken up though the day the Pistons traded Billups to Denver for Allen Iverson.

Billups is on the Clippers now, but reflected on the past as his team is in town to face the Pistons today.

Per The Detroit News: “Honestly in my heart, I still feel like if they didn’t make that move and move me, we’d still be an elite team in the league,” Billups said. “Of course you have to make some changes, (adding) the young guys.”
“I still had some great, great years left,” Billups said. “I never wanted to leave, even though I was home (Denver) and it was good to be home, I always wanted to be a Piston. I wanted to retire a Piston.”

It sounds like Billups still doesn’t understand why the trade happened, and even admitted so.

“I’m still … Even though I’m over it, I still don’t get it,” said Billups with a slight chuckle. “It wasn’t like I was 36 or 37 and I couldn’t rock anymore. I was still rocking. I was still in my prime.”

Toronto Raptors Defeat Orlando Magic 97-86

The Orlando Magic finally tasted victory again on Friday night, beating the Detroit Pistons 110-106. Unfortunately, their winning streak was short-lived, as they lost for the sixth time in seven games to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at the Air Canada Centre.

“There's no other way we're going to win if we're not prepared,” Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said. “If we're not ready to play at the start of the game and committed at the start of the game, not waiting till halftime and what happens after, then we won't have a chance.”

Toronto (3-7) was paced by DeMar DeRozan, who had 20 points and nine rebounds. Andrea Bargnani added 17 points, while Amir Johnson recorded 15, Linas Kleiza finished with 12, and Dominic McGuire tallied 11. Jose Calderon registered nine points and 18 assists.