If you were watching the Detroit Pistons back in October, you probably noticed something weird. It wasn't just the new faces or J.B. Bickerstaff pacing the sidelines with that intense "we aren't losing 28 straight again" energy. It was the actual rhythm of the team. For the first time in what feels like a decade, the detroit pistons preseason schedule didn't just feel like a countdown to another lottery pick. It felt like a rehearsal for a winning season.
We’re sitting here in January 2026, and the Pistons are currently 28-10, sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference. It’s wild. But if you look back at those four games in October, the signs were all there. The preseason wasn't just about getting cardio; it was about J.B. Bickerstaff figuring out exactly how to turn Cade Cunningham into an MVP candidate.
Breaking Down the October Grind
The schedule was lean. Just four games. Most teams do five or six, but Trajan Langdon and the front office kept it tight. They spent more time behind closed doors at the Performance Center than traveling, which honestly looks like a genius move now.
It kicked off on October 6 down in Memphis. Everyone was curious about how the rotation would look. Cade came out and dropped 20 points in limited minutes, but the real shocker was Paul Reed. He grabbed 12 boards and showed that the bench was going to have actual teeth this year. They beat the Grizzlies 128-112, and you could hear the collective sigh of relief from Midtown to Dearborn.
Then came the road trip to Milwaukee on October 9 and Cleveland on October 14. These were the reality checks. They lost both, but the Cleveland game was particularly interesting because of Daniss Jenkins. Nobody really expected a two-way guard to lead the team in assists and tie for the scoring lead with 19 points that night. It showed that the "grit" Sasser talked about in training camp wasn't just talk.
The finale at Little Caesars Arena on October 16 against the Washington Wizards was a total blowout. 119-89. Jalen Duren looked like a man among boys with 20 points, and Cade finished the preseason with a 12-assist masterclass. It was the perfect send-off.
Why the Schedule Structure Mattered
The NBA usually loves to send teams across the globe for preseason. We saw the Sixers and Knicks in Abu Dhabi, and the Suns heading to Macao. Detroit? They stayed local.
The three-game road trip through the Central Division and a quick flight to Memphis kept the travel fatigue low. By the time the regular season opener against Chicago rolled around on October 22, the legs were fresh. You can see the impact of that rest even now. The Pistons are 2nd in the league in defensive rating. That doesn't happen if you're gassed before November even starts.
Standout Performances from the Preseason
- Cade Cunningham: Averaged over 20 points and looked like he’d finally found his 3-point stroke (even if the regular season stats took a minute to catch up).
- Jalen Duren: The double-double machine started here. He was consistently the most physical player on the court.
- Daniss Jenkins: The dark horse. His 6 assists per game in the preseason earned him the trust he needed to become a rotation staple.
- Chaz Lanier: The rookie had some "welcome to the league" moments, but his shooting mechanics were as advertised.
The Bickerstaff Effect
It’s easy to forget that this was the first time we saw Bickerstaff’s system in live action. He didn't play the "preseason prevent" defense. He had them pressing, switching, and actually communicating.
You’ve probably seen the highlights of Isaiah Stewart lately—he was just named Defensive Player of the Month for December. That defensive identity was forged in those October losses to Milwaukee and Cleveland. Bickerstaff used the detroit pistons preseason schedule to experiment with small-ball lineups that featured Ron Holland II and Ausar Thompson together. It looked messy at first. Honestly, it was a bit of a turnover fest. But it taught them how to play at a pace that now has them ranked 13th in the league.
Looking Back to Move Forward
If you're a fan trying to track how this team got so good, so fast, you have to credit the deliberate nature of that October run. They didn't chase wins; they chased chemistry. They integrated Tobias Harris back into the mix smoothly, and they gave guys like Malik Beasley the green light to find their spots.
The 2025-26 preseason was the foundation. While the Wizards game was a fun victory for the home crowd, the grit shown in the Milwaukee loss was arguably more important. It showed a team that was tired of being the league's doormat.
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Actionable Insights for Pistons Fans:
- Review the Tape: If you can find the replay of the October 14 game against Cleveland, watch how Daniss Jenkins handles the pick-and-roll. It explains a lot about the Pistons' current bench depth.
- Monitor the Injury Report: With Cade dealing with a wrist contusion and Jalen Duren’s ankle, the depth built during the preseason is being tested right now.
- Watch the Next Stretch: The Pistons face Phoenix and Indiana this week. Notice how they use the same defensive rotations they practiced back in the preseason finale.