NEWS: Lessons the Pistons can Learn from the Lions

I am at a loss for words to express how hopeless things appear to be for an NBA organization that was once full of pride. Not only are the Pistons awful, but they also lack a competitive spirit and frequently lose to opponents. This is not the kind of thing that should be happening on a club that has multiple former first-round picks and lottery picks from the last four drafts playing for them. They have made it clear that they are no longer attempting to tank. This is particularly strange because the organization does have several high-caliber components. However, it feels like the whole thing is broken, and nobody can identify a single factor that accounts for the decline from the previous year.

The one silver lining that an unbiased observer might be able to extract from this is that Detroiters are in a unique position to pinpoint what a picture-perfect conclusion to this tale would entail. You might wonder, how? To find the kind of turnaround that Detroit sports fans have been waiting for, all one has to do is glance over the horizon to Ford Field, where the Pistons’ NFL rivals have recently orchestrated a similar comeback. By stealing the Lions’ test answers, I present to you here the blueprint for the Pistons’ rebirth. Sure, purchase a lottery ticket, as that will indeed be a valid punishment in 2023.

First step: Own up to your mistakes.

Admitting to others that they were mistaken can be extremely difficult for a majority of people across many backgrounds. When you factor in millionaires and billionaires who are well-known figures in the public eye, this is more harder. However, the Lions did just a few short years ago, and the Pistons must now take this important step. Sheila Ford Hamp was forced to acknowledge the failure of the Lions’ attempt to revive the “Patriot Way” after she assumed ownership. It was hailed as a move that would enable the Lions to advance toward contention until Jim Caldwell was fired and Matt Patricia took over. I see the appointment of Monty Williams this past summer as the Pistons’ equivalent of the hiring of Patricia. The coach they selected was one of the cycle’s most sought-after prospects in both instances, and the hire essentially won the news conference. However, in both cases, it did not take long to see that the new hiring had not been the greatest match for the existing roster—which, incidentally, was considerably worse than what the front office was trying to sell the fan base in both cases. Look, as General Manager, Troy Weaver has had his moments. He has done a decent job of drafting, excluding the 2020 COVID draft. In addition to streamlining the team’s payroll, he brought in some astute players in Jerami Grant and Bojan Bogdanovic. However, he has not surrounded his young players with a roster (or locker room) that creates a winning culture and encourages development.It is indisputable that Williams has been an effective NBA coach for a considerable amount of time. He oversaw prosperous turnarounds in Phoenix and New Orleans. He has worked as an assistant for many prosperous companies. He has been a member of Team USA for several seasons and has many connections within the league. However, the team’s performance this season has been lacking in some way. In spite of their youth and injuries, this team has more potential than their record suggests. There is ample documentation regarding the dubious rotations and player management. In the end, when you’re 2-29, the most important thing is to figure out where to go next rather than assigning blame to the most people. The Pistons have made mistakes with both of their hires. They have to acknowledge that first.

Step 2: Bring in a Shared Vision

The Lions wisely hired their coach and general manager together as a package deal after leaving “Patriots Midwest” and ensured that their football philosophy was the same. Their excellent working relationship has resulted from this, and it has also assisted the organization in establishing a distinct authority structure for decisions pertaining to football. In other words, rather than competing with one another, the coaching staff and front office of the Lions are there to assist one another. Every other party engaged is exerting a similar amount of force. This is always the case when you look at any successful professional sports franchise. Power battles within the front office, or between the front office and coaching staff, are the main item that can undermine a team’s culture, direction, and ultimately success. I will refrain from speculating further on the numerous rumors that have been circulated regarding the present composition of the Pistons front office. One does begin to wonder how decisions are made within the organization, though, when one learns that Weaver—the man ostensibly fully in charge of basketball decisions—was unable to hire his preferred candidate—reportedly Kevin Ollie—because the front office was split between three different head coaching candidates.

Like the Lions, the Pistons must prioritize hiring wisely for the front office, coach their new additions, and then step back and let them do their jobs. Brad Holmes was not the most eye-catching general manager hired, and Dan Campbell was not the most sought-after coaching prospect. However, they turned out to be a fantastic match, and because of their common goal, the company has been able to develop a healthy culture that has resulted from their working relationship. This has made it possible for the organization to quickly develop the players they want in the draft and to identify the kind of players they desire. That is essentially the recipe for success in professional sports. This is the kind of change that the basketball counterpart for the Lions needs to implement.

The Pistons should definitely look into a couple general manager prospects who are said to have previously piqued their interest. Shane Battier and Tayshaun Prince would both fill up many of the gaps that the Pistons are currently experiencing. Both of them are rising stars from progressive teams (the Heat and Grizzlies), who consistently select players from all over the draft board every summer. Each may help Detroit capitalize on draft picks, not only those in the top 5, and restructure the team’s long-ailing scouting department. Furthermore, like Prince, these men are either native to the area or were players for the franchise when they were growing up. To rebuild a relationship with a fan base that has obviously lost faith in the front office, this kind of backdrop is exactly what’s needed (more on this in a minute).

Gores needs to read Hamp’s book and take a step back once you’ve employed that individual. He must give the individual he hired the opportunity to interview and choose a coach who shares his vision for the company. Someone he can trust in times of uncertainty, work with cooperatively, and have tough talks with. Because this can shattered an organization’s trust and alignment, as we have seen with Weaver, who apparently was never able to recruit his own coach.

Step 3: Bring in Former Players to Serve and Support

Lastly, I would follow the Lions’ lead and enlist former players who have success with the team to serve as front office and organization proxies, advisors, or supporters. It may sound cliche, but the Lions have succeeded, and there is no denying it. They hired Calvin Johnson, who has a less clear job but has made an impression on the organization, as an ambassador, Chris Speilman as the president’s special assistant, and Barry Sanders as an assistant. These actions have coincided with the team’s upward trajectory.

Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

If the Pistons took a similar action, it would be a huge step toward rebuilding public confidence in the organization. It might also provide a plethora of information from individuals who have really seen and experienced what success in this city looks like to the incoming front office and coaching staff. Not to mention, a large number of the players from Detroit’s championship teams have achieved success as front office staff members or coaches. Prince stated earlier is one, Rasheed Wallace was an assistant coach at the University of Memphis, and Chauncey Billups is the head coach of the Blazers at the moment. I would make an effort to recruit as many of them as possible to work in the front desk or as staff coaches. Heck, I would check to see if Joe Dumars is tired of making take-foul regulations and would like to rejoin the team he ran for many years after playing for. Larry Brown might be drawn to a front desk position. Furthermore, these are successful former athletes, coaches, and businesspeople who have already amassed a sizable net worth and a plethora of professional honors. Serving and advising the current front office and staff in a less demanding job will likely serve the organization’s best interests rather than just being focused in gaining greater authority and recognition. In case you don’t believe me, you may verify my statement by visiting Allen Park in Ann Arbor, where Michigan football has flourished with a reorganized coaching staff that includes many former players. It is best to go down with those who have a strong bond and passion for the organization if you are going to go down.

Imagine Chauncey Billups leading the coaching staff and Tayshaun Prince leading the front office. Do you really believe that these two guys, who have participated in innumerable important games together, couldn’t work together and rally an organization? That they would, I’d wager.

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