The Detroit Pistons had a strong 2024–25 regular season, finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference and clinching a direct spot in the Playoffs. Now, they’ll begin their postseason journey with a tough first-round series against the New York Knicks. NBA legend Dwyane Wade has voiced strong praise for what this Detroit squad brings to the table.
“I like this matchup, not because Detroit I feel is better than (New York). Obviously they’re just gaining their experience, they’re coming off of some losing seasons,” Wade said on his podcast The Why. “But what I like about them is that they have an identity. They’re coming into the playoffs with an identity, and that right there is what a lot of young teams don’t have. They already have one.”
The three-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat added: “I like the identity of the Pistons. Even now—you know what I’m saying—they’re getting there. You got to have an identity. And their identity right now is: ‘Listen, we going to try to (expletive) you up.'” He later clarified: “Not in a dirty way, but more so like, ‘We’re going to protect our stuff. We’re going to protect what we’re building.’”
With the NBA playoff picture ahead, Wade explained that the Pistons’ new-found energy this season reminds him of his own experiences in the league. “I’m talking about the physicality that Detroit has brought back to their style,” he said. “That’s the Detroit I’m used to seeing. That’s the Detroit we played against. So I like that for them.”
The strategy the Pistons should use against the Knicks
In the same conversation, Wade spoke about how the Pistons’ identity could serve them well against New York, especially considering the level of talent the Knicks bring. Asked by his co-hosts about what kind of impact a healthy Jalen Brunson could have in the series, the former guard didn’t hesitate: “I need to touch him up.”
As his co-hosts laughed, Dwyane recalled what it was like when he played against Detroit. “God, I used to get touched up. Look—PJ Brown touched me up. Whoever. Big dudes. They touched me up when I went down there,” said Wade. He recalled how opponents used to challenge him: “‘Let me see if you’re healthy, young fella. You want to come down here? Let’s see if you’re healthy.’”
Detroit is a special city, according to Wade
Beyond praising the Pistons’ traditional playing style—one he believes they’ve embraced once again—Dwyane Wade also reflected on what makes the city of Detroit unique when it comes to basketball. “They used to be something else,” he said.
“First of all, Detroit basketball was crazy. Their whole thing used to be: ‘De-troit Bas-ket-ball!’ We’d be in the hotel, and fans would be outside screaming, ‘De-troit Bas-ket-ball!’ We’d go to restaurants. They’d be outside the restaurant screaming, ‘De-troit Bas-ket-ball!’ They followed us back to our hotel, screaming ‘De-troit Bas-ket-ball!’” Wade recalled. “The game started before the game in Detroit.”
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Who will advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals?
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