The Athletic NBA Daily Are the Pistons a Contender? + East Play In Mania | Slam N Jam
Mar 28, 2026
Bryce Simon, basketball reporter and podcaster who covers the Detroit Pistons and the NBA draft, drops in to discuss Detroit’s outlook without Cade Cunningham. They dig into Jalen Duren’s offensive leap, spacing and three-point concerns, Kevin Huerter’s fit, and which first- and second-round matchups worry the Pistons most. Plus a lively Pistons trivia showdown for fun.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
League Moves To Curb Tanking And Its Unintended Consequences
- The NBA is actively exploring fixes to tanking before the draft, signaling structural change pressure from owners and the commissioner.
- Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers note the 65-game award rule and edge cases like Cade Cunningham and Tyrese Maxey as evidence of unintended consequences.
This Year's East Play In Could Be Historically Strong
- The 2025-26 Eastern Conference play-in could be the strongest ever, with all play-in teams at 39-34 or better and high SRS for Charlotte.
- Alex Speers highlights Charlotte's +4.13 SRS and compares this crop to 2021-22 as unusually deep.
Don't Trust Regular Season Clutch Shooting For Playoff Predictions
- Beware relying on regular‑season clutch shooting as a predictor of playoff performance; it often regresses.
- Andrew Schlecht cites teams that fell from top regular‑season clutch percentages to bottom playoff marks, illustrating volatility.