Driving to the Basket: A Detroit Pistons Podcast

This episode, the second in the 2023 Draft series, takes an in-depth look at probable #3 pick Brandon Miller.

This episode, the first in the 2023 Draft series, takes an in-depth look at Amen Thompson. This episode originally contained a now-revised profile on Ausar Thompson; you can find some revised analysis about Ausar in Episode 154.

This episode, featuring guest Brady Fredericksen of DBB, recaps the good and the bad of the now-finished 2022-2023 Pistons season, plus the departure of Dwane Casey from the head coaching role. (Apologies for the sound issues --- a switch in recording platforms was made necessary about one-third of the way through the episode!)

This episode speaks on Jaden Ivey's big night against the Heat, answers some listener-submitted questions about who might stay and who might go in the offseason and about James Wiseman's performance as a Piston so far, and concludes with some analysis of the changes found in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This episode (posted later in the week due to sickness, then re-posted due to hosting issues) discusses the misery of watching the Pistons down the stretch of this season, speaks on the unlikely possibility of a future Duren - Wiseman duo in the frontcourt, analyzes Isaiah Stewart's season performance at power forward, and expands on whether or not Wiseman and Bagley are both likely to be on the roster next season. (This was originally posted on Sunday, then re-uploaded on Monday).

This episode checks in on Jaden Ivey, goes over his case for All-Rookie, compares him to Scoot Henderson, and answers some listener-submitted questions.

This episode describes the necessary traits of a qualified NBA postseason rotation player. What does it take, and how many players on the current roster could realistically play on the postseason roster of a good NBA team?

This episode recaps and analyzes Troy Weaver's decisions to date, in the midst of this third consecutive rebuilding season for the Pistons.

This episode recaps the trade that brought James Wiseman to Detroit: the background, Wiseman as a player, considerations, and what would make the trade a success.

This episode, with guest Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press and the Pistons Pulse, talks the upcoming trade deadline, the offseason, and how to find some enjoyment in the remainder of the season.

News has it that the organization has ardent hopes of making the playoffs next season. What route could the Pistons follow to get there?

This somewhat-meandering mailbag answers listener-submitted questions. Sorry for the lack of an episode last week; some difficult things were going on.

This episode, featuring guest Jack Kelly of Detroit Bad Boys, reviews the season-so-far at (slightly past) the midway point: thoughts on the season to date, developments versus expectations, and player grades for the youth.

Three years after the Pistons made the decision to pivot to a rebuild, where does the progress stand? Some discussion on that, plus talk of Marvin Bagley's upcoming absence, Hamidou Diallo's return to the rotation, and Killian Hayes' recent suspension.

This episode goes over important areas in which each of the team's significant young players (sans the injured Cade) would do well to improve, plus some discussion about the team's ugly collapse against the Clippers.

This episode analyzes the positive for each of the team's young players, in a fashion that is hopefully somewhat uplifting. (Recorded on 12/17 for posting on 12/21; hopefully nothing outdates it before it's posted.)

This episode explains the podcast's recent hiatus, criticizes Dwane Casey, and discusses whether or not Bojan Bogdanovic should be traded.

This episode, featuring guest Jack Kelly of Detroit Bad Boys, goes over the play of Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren so far, details Killian Hayes' stretch of improved play, and talks the changes in the starting lineup. Note: Last week's episode did not post properly. Sorry about that.

This episode checks in on the signs of progress seen over the past week, particularly in the area of one Cade Cunningham. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800- GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/TN/PA/WV/WY), 1-800- NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MI/NH/NJ/ NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. $200 in Free bets: New customers only. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 pregame moneyline bet. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Bet must win. Ends 1/8/23 @ 8pm. Risk-Free Stepped Up SGP: 1 Token issued per eligible game. Opt in req. Min $1 bet. Max bet limits apply. Min. 3-leg. Each leg min. -300 odds, total bet +100 odds or longer. Ends at start of final game of the 2022-2023 NBA Season. See eligibility & terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com/basketballterms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode analyzes the frustrating start to the season.

This episode features a final preview of the regular season: predictions for the first 20 games and the season as a whole, and discussion of what to look for with regard to each of the roster's major players of interest.

This episode discusses takeaways from the team's first three of four preseason games.

This episode, featuring guest Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press, previews the 2022-2023 season: season storylines to watch, projected lineups, training camp takeaways, and more!

This episode, featuring guest Jack Kelly of Detroit Bad Boys, analyzes the Bojan Bogdanovic trade: what he'll bring to the Pistons, what he won't bring, what role he may play on the roster, and how his addition could impact next season's lineups.

This listener-requested episode gives a history of the ill-fated Van Gundy era of the Pistons.

This episode previews the impressive Central Division and discusses where the Pistons are likely to finish in the standings in a very strong Eastern Conference.

This spontaneous mailbag episode answers a variety of impromptu listener-submitted questions.

This episode, featuring guest Bryce Simon of Motor City Hoops and The Pistons Pulse, recaps Cade Cunningham's 2021-2022 season.

This episode, featuring Jack Kelly of Detroit Bad Boys, recaps Isaiah Stewart's 2021-2022 season and discusses a bit about his future.

This episode reviews the 2021-2022 seasons of Hamidou Diallo, Saben Lee, and Kelly Olynyk. Next two weeks: Isaiah Stewart and Cade Cunningham.

This episode recaps the 2021-2022 seasons of Killian Hayes and (very briefly) Cory Joseph.

This episode recaps Saddiq Bey's 2021-2022 season.

This episode recaps Marvin Bagley's short 2022 season with the Pistons and discusses areas of necessary improvement.

This episode, featuring guest Jack Kelly of Detroit Bad Boys and HoopsHabit, recaps the team's Summer League and goes in-depth on potential starting lineups for next season.

This episode, recorded in the midst of Summer League, features Keith Trudeau and Mike Payton of Pistons history podcast Bad Boys & Beyond, who join to (of course!) talk some Pistons history! Summer League recap episode next week!

This episode, featuring guest Sean Corp of Detroit Bad Boys, recaps free agency, talks more about the Draft, and explores how next season's roster might come together.

This episode recaps the draft, previews free agency, and goes in-depth on last night's trade between the Pistons and the Knicks. Thank you to Chandler for guesting on the show!

This episode, featuring Bryce Simon from Motor City Hoops and The Pistons Pulse, rounds up the pre-draft process with a discussion of the three prospects most likely to be the Pistons' pick at #5 (Bennedict Mathurin, Jaden Ivey, and Keegan Murray), amongst other draft-related subjects. Thank you to Bryce for guesting on the show!

This episode provides a short profile on top-ten 2022 Draft prospect Dyson Daniels, and goes into lesser detail on Johnny Davis, Ochai Agbaji, and AJ Griffin.

This episode takes a succinct look at 2022 NBA Draft prospects Tari Eason and Jeremy Sochan.

This episode, the first of a planned series of draft prospect shorts (derailed by a case of COVID) leading up to Draft day, takes a look at Jalen Duren and Mark Williams. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/ /NJ/NY/ PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Min. $5 deposit required. Eligibility restrictions apply. See http://draftkings.com/sportsbook for details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode takes a close look at highly-ranked draft prospect Keegan Murray. Thank you to Price for guesting on the show once more. This episode will be followed up with a series of shorter evaluations of prospects likely to be selected later in the lottery, with an eye toward potential draft targets should the Pistons acquire another lottery pick in a prospective Jerami Grant trade.

This episode takes a deep dive into consensus top-five pick Jaden Ivey: strengths, weaknesses, fit, and so on. Thank you to Price for guesting again on the show.

This episode takes a deep dive into consensus lottery pick Bennedict Mathurin, who has been reported to be of interest to the Pistons. Thanks to Mathurin superfan Price for guesting on the show!

This episode recaps the draft lottery, discusses the team's options at #5, talks how the results of the lottery might impact Jerami Grant's future in Detroit and goes in-depth on DeAndre Ayton and his potential value to the Pistons. Draft prospect cards: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h6ZaAu30Rb4ovrjY-8ifK6OXJGYvtZIEMad8DGWh9Zg/edit?usp=sharing

This episode, the third of our draft series, takes a detailed look at consensus top-three 2022 Draft prospect Chet Holmgren. Draft player cards: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h6ZaAu30Rb4ovrjY-8ifK6OXJGYvtZIEMad8DGWh9Zg/edit?usp=sharing

This episode, the second of our draft series, takes a detailed look at top-three 2022 Draft prospect Jabari Smith Jr. Draft player cards: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h6ZaAu30Rb4ovrjY-8ifK6OXJGYvtZIEMad8DGWh9Zg/edit?usp=sharing

This episode takes a detailed look at consensus top-three draftee Paolo Banchero. Draft player cards: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h6ZaAu30Rb4ovrjY-8ifK6OXJGYvtZIEMad8DGWh9Zg/edit?usp=sharing

This episode dissects and discusses important bits of the end-of-season press conference featuring Troy Weaver and Dwane Casey, then goes into each host's top-seven draft big board.

This episode, the first of our offseason series, journeys through a retrospective of the recently-concluded season, visiting season storylines, takeaways, and more.