You couldn’t have asked for a better start to the JB Bickerstaff era as the Detroit Pistons dominated the Milwaukee Bucks 120-87. The only problem was it was preseason, and the game didn’t count.
The Pistons fluidity, decision-making, and defensive activity were night and day compared to their performance last season, when they won a franchise-low 14 games. Tonight, they were cutting off the lane, they were communicating, and they were active with their feet and their hands, causing the Bucks’ problems all over the floor.
Detroit was led by 22 points from Jaden Ivey, who was also, perhaps, the best poster child for how different a player could look compared to six months ago.