Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff believes the pressure to win NBA Cup games causes players to treat them like veritable mid-season playoff bouts, writes Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. On Friday, the Pistons defeated the Pacers 130-16 in an NBA Cup game. With that win, the Pistons improved to 3-0 in East Group B, tied by record with the Bucks. Milwaukee’s +29 point … [Read more...] about Pistons’ Bickerstaff Urges NBA To Reconsider Back-To-Backs Involving Cup Games
Central Notes: Pistons, Cunningham, Middleton, Donovan
Coming off years of losing, the Pistons view this year’s NBA Cup as a chance to experience some high-stakes basketball, writes Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press. The Pistons have been one of the surprises of the tournament, winning their first three games by a combined 28 points. They can clinch a spot in the knockout round by defeating Milwaukee on Tuesday, and coach … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Pistons, Cunningham, Middleton, Donovan
Fischer: Bulls Open To Discussing ‘Majority Of Their Roster’
The Bulls are viewed as a prime candidate to sell off veterans ahead of the February 6 trade deadline, Jake Fischer writes on Marc Stein’s Substack page. As Fischer explains, Chicago has been fairly competitive thus far, currently holding an 8-12 record. But winning too many games could jeopardize the Bulls’ first-round pick, which will convey to San Antonio if it falls outside … [Read more...] about Fischer: Bulls Open To Discussing ‘Majority Of Their Roster’
Central Notes: Ivey, Thompson, Middleton, Haliburton
Jaden Ivey is eligible for a rookie scale extension after this season and the Pistons guard has bounced back from a subpar sophomore campaign. With Cade Cunningham sidelined by a hip injury, Ivey scored the game-winner against Toronto on Monday. He finished with 25 points and eight assists and is now averaging 18.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game on the … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Ivey, Thompson, Middleton, Haliburton
Central Notes: Jerome, Ivey, Brown, Bulls
It’s still early in the season, but to this point, perhaps no player has boosted his stock ahead of 2025 free agency more than Ty Jerome. After signing a two-year, minimum-salary deal with the Cavaliers in 2023, Jerome was limited to just two games with the Cavaliers last season due to an ankle injury. But the 27-year-old guard has had a remarkable start to the ’24/25 campaign, … [Read more...] about Central Notes: Jerome, Ivey, Brown, Bulls