Detroit Pistons
Organization in Basketball
Detroit Pistons has come up in 13 episodes across 2 podcasts in TMT, including The Bill Simmons Podcast, Pardon My Take. 7 people have made recorded remarks about it.
What people said
Dan KatzBarstool Sports personality known as Big Cat, co-host of Pardon My Take
Katz contends Cade Cunningham is a future superstar and Detroit just needs to build scoring around him.
“he has the makings of a superstar you just got to build like you've you've you've stamped that part”
Pardon My Take: Ryen Russillo In Studio, NFL Schedule Release, Zoo Trades, Playoffs And Fyre Fest (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 57:45
Katz argues the Pistons should consider benching Jalen Duren because his game has not translated to the playoffs.
“I actually think the Pistons should probably not start him, and it sucks because it's funny to laugh”
Pardon My Take: Brooks Koepka, PGA Championship With Shane Bacon, Wemby's Revenge, Lebron's Last Game? Plus Guys On Chicks (May 13, 2026) · Listen from 33:11
Katz said Cade Cunningham took a major leap by carrying the Pistons back from a 3-1 deficit.
“Cade Cunningham, that's a big leap, I feel like, for him because the way he played in those last three games was absolutely out of his mind”
Pardon My Take: Live From Max's Bachelor Party, Sixers Take Down Celtics, Jerry O'Connell And Dante The Don Join The Show, NBA/NHL Playoffs Plus Max's Brothers (May 4, 2026) · Listen from 36:29
Bill SimmonsSportswriter and founder of The Ringer, host of The Bill Simmons Podcast
- Prediction · due Dec 2026
Simmons predicts Jalen Duren will receive an offer sheet of at least $40 million a year despite his poor playoffs.
“somebody is going to offer him at least 40 plus a year, regardless of how he looked in the playoffs”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Wemby Gets Revenge, Morey’s Out, and a Trade-Fueled Mega-Mailbag With Kirk Goldsberry and David Jacoby (May 13, 2026) · Listen from 58:46
- Partly true
Simmons tentatively picks Cleveland to beat Detroit in six games while expressing low confidence.
“But my lean would be Cleveland in six. And I don't feel good about it”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Part 2: Cleveland Survives, Knicks-Sixers, and Whaddya Do for Denver, Houston, and Atlanta With Zach Lowe (May 4, 2026) · Listen from 12:58
Simmons offered the take that Cade Cunningham's injury was the best thing that could have happened to Detroit, assuming a full recovery.
“Cade's injury was the best thing that could have happened in Detroit”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Hot Takes, OKC’s Red Flag, and Giannis vs. Father Time With Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House (Mar 26, 2026) · Listen from 19:59
Zach LoweRinger NBA analyst referenced repeatedly
Lowe says he would have picked the Knicks over Detroit despite the Pistons' regular-season sweep of New York.
“I think the Knicks were just qualitatively a better team than Detroit”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: OKC Gets Wobbled, Cleveland’s Done, and Knicks Nirvana Is Here (Maybe) With Zach Lowe and Sean Fennessey (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 1:26:14
Lowe named Dennis Jenkins the most effective sub, calling him the main reason Detroit held the top seed without Cade Cunningham.
“He's the most important reason why they have not only stayed afloat without Cade Cunningham, but just death grip on the number one seed for a week and a half now”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: The 2026 Made-Up NBA Awards With Zach Lowe (Apr 6, 2026) · Listen from 40:18
J. Kyle MannThe Ringer NBA draft analyst and co-host of The Ringer NBA Show
Mann argues Jalen Duren's offensive game is very limited beyond finishing near the rim.
“I don't think Jalen has a whole lot outside of catching the ball in the block, off the roll, and taking one dribble and dunking it”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA One Guy (the East!), a Man City Punishment Primer, and Tom Cruise’s Bomb With J. Kyle Mann, Chris Ryan, and Van Lathan (Oct 6, 2026) · Listen from 38:16
Ryen RussilloSports broadcaster and host of The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russillo says Cade Cunningham could become the NBA's best point guard.
“hey, Cade could end up becoming the best point guard in the NBA”
Pardon My Take: Ryen Russillo In Studio, NFL Schedule Release, Zoo Trades, Playoffs And Fyre Fest (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 1:39:45
David JacobyThe Ringer podcast host and TV producer, co-host of The Mismatch
Jacoby expresses hesitation about giving Jalen Duren a max contract after his playoff struggles.
“I don't know if I'm ready to just sign Jalen Dern to the max”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Wemby Gets Revenge, Morey’s Out, and a Trade-Fueled Mega-Mailbag With Kirk Goldsberry and David Jacoby (May 13, 2026) · Listen from 1:01:16
PFT CommenterBarstool Sports writer and co-host of Pardon My Take
- Didn’t happen
PFT Commenter predicted the Pistons would beat the Cavaliers in six games.
“I think I would say six games, Pistons in six is what it feels like to me”
Pardon My Take: Tracy McGrady, Knicks Go Up 2-0, James Harden Is Still James Harden, Boat Pictures And Fyre Fest of The Week (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 18:53
Predictions
- Prediction · due Dec 2026Bill Simmons
Simmons predicts Jalen Duren will receive an offer sheet of at least $40 million a year despite his poor playoffs.
“somebody is going to offer him at least 40 plus a year, regardless of how he looked in the playoffs”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Wemby Gets Revenge, Morey’s Out, and a Trade-Fueled Mega-Mailbag With Kirk Goldsberry and David Jacoby (May 13, 2026) · Listen from 58:46 · Detroit Pistons
- Didn’t happenPFT Commenter
PFT Commenter predicted the Pistons would beat the Cavaliers in six games.
“I think I would say six games, Pistons in six is what it feels like to me”
Pardon My Take: Tracy McGrady, Knicks Go Up 2-0, James Harden Is Still James Harden, Boat Pictures And Fyre Fest of The Week (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 18:53 · Detroit Pistons
PFT Commenter predicted the Pistons would beat the Cavaliers in six. Detroit went up 2-0, but Cleveland won the series 4-3, taking Game 7 125-94 to reach the Eastern Conference finals. Detroit's only Game 6 result was a 115-94 road win that forced Game 7.
Sources: NBA playoffs 2026: Top moments as Cavaliers defeat Pistons in Game 7 - ESPN · Pistons 115-94 Cavaliers (May 15, 2026) Game Recap - ESPN · Recap: Cavaliers take crucial Game 5 victory on the road - NBA.com · 2026 NBA Playoffs East Semifinal - NBA.com
Checked Oct 6, 2026
- Partly trueBill Simmons
Simmons tentatively picks Cleveland to beat Detroit in six games while expressing low confidence.
“But my lean would be Cleveland in six. And I don't feel good about it”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Part 2: Cleveland Survives, Knicks-Sixers, and Whaddya Do for Denver, Houston, and Atlanta With Zach Lowe (May 4, 2026) · Listen from 12:58 · Detroit Pistons
Cleveland did beat Detroit in the 2026 Eastern Conference semifinals, but the series went seven games rather than six. Detroit won Game 6 in Cleveland 115-94 on May 15, 2026, and Cleveland then won Game 7 in Detroit 125-94 on May 17 to take the series 4-3.
Sources: Cavaliers 125-94 Pistons (May 17, 2026) Game Recap - ESPN · Pistons 115-94 Cavaliers (May 15, 2026) Game Recap - ESPN · 2026 NBA Playoffs - East Semifinal
Checked Oct 6, 2026
Coverage over time
Podcasts
- The Bill Simmons Podcast · 9 episodes
- Pardon My Take · 4 episodes
Episodes
NBA One Guy (the East!), a Man City Punishment Primer, and Tom Cruise’s Bomb With J. Kyle Mann, Chris Ryan, and Van LathanThe Bill Simmons Podcast · Oct 6, 2026 · 2 h 13 min
Bill Simmons and J. Kyle Mann pick one key player per NBA Eastern Conference team, then Chris Ryan and Van Lathan discuss cable stars, Tom Cruise's 'Digger,' and Manchester City's punishment.
- OKC Gets Wobbled, Cleveland’s Done, and Knicks Nirvana Is Here (Maybe) With Zach Lowe and Sean Fennessey
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 25, 2026 · 1 h 40 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe break down Thunder–Spurs Game 4 and rank pressure on players, then Sean Fennessey joins to celebrate the Knicks' dominant playoff run.
Ryen Russillo In Studio, NFL Schedule Release, Zoo Trades, Playoffs And Fyre FestPardon My Take · May 15, 2026 · 2 h 30 min
The Pardon My Take crew reacts to the NFL schedule, PGA Championship and a zoo gorilla trade, then Ryen Russillo discusses the NBA playoffs, the draft and solo travel.
- Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 15, 2026 · 2 h 54 min
Bill Simmons previews NBA Game 6s, discusses sports schedule glut with Bryan Curtis, Boston sports with his dad, and Jazz rebuilding with owner Ryan Smith.
- Wemby Gets Revenge, Morey’s Out, and a Trade-Fueled Mega-Mailbag With Kirk Goldsberry and David Jacoby
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 13, 2026 · 2 h 4 min
Bill Simmons and Kirk Goldsberry break down the Spurs' Game 5 win and Daryl Morey's firing, then join David Jacoby for an NBA mailbag and trade predictions.
Brooks Koepka, PGA Championship With Shane Bacon, Wemby's Revenge, Lebron's Last Game? Plus Guys On ChicksPardon My Take · May 13, 2026 · 2 h 54 min
The Pardon My Take crew covers the NBA playoffs, a Wizards bet and Giannis rumors, then interviews Brooks Koepka and Shane Bacon ahead of the 2026 PGA Championship.
- The Wizards Win (Something!) and More Lottery Reactions, Plus the Juggernaut Knicks With Joe House, Tate Frazier, and Chris Vernon
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 11, 2026 · 1 h 46 min
Bill Simmons, Joe House, Tate Frazier and Chris Vernon react to the 2026 NBA draft lottery won by the Wizards, preview top picks, and discuss the playoffs.
Tracy McGrady, Knicks Go Up 2-0, James Harden Is Still James Harden, Boat Pictures And Fyre Fest of The WeekPardon My Take · May 8, 2026 · 2 h 19 min
Big Cat, PFT Commenter and crew break down the 2026 NBA second round, the Vrabel boat photos, and interview Tracy McGrady about his one-on-one league.
Live From Max's Bachelor Party, Sixers Take Down Celtics, Jerry O'Connell And Dante The Don Join The Show, NBA/NHL Playoffs Plus Max's BrothersPardon My Take · May 4, 2026 · 2 h 15 min
From Max Delente's Las Vegas bachelor party, the Pardon My Take crew recaps the 76ers' Game 7 win over the Celtics, the NBA and NHL playoffs, and weekend stories with Jerry O'Connell and Dante the Don.
- Part 2: Cleveland Survives, Knicks-Sixers, and Whaddya Do for Denver, Houston, and Atlanta With Zach Lowe
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 4, 2026 · 1 h 12 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe react to Cleveland's Game 7 win over Toronto, preview the NBA's second round, and weigh offseason moves for eliminated teams.