A buzz was in the air inside Little Caesars Arena that had never been there for the Pistons or Red Wings, who share residence in the award winning stadium.
It did not matter that the Pistons trailed two games to none to the Milwaukee Bucks. Detroit has been waiting for this moment ever since the building opened two years ago and the Pistons returned downtown. Blake Griffin who missed the first two games due to a knee injury, sent “the slice” into a frenzy when announced during the pre game introductions. Luke Kennard also started, which is abnormal as far as this season goes were he had assumed the sixth man role.
I’ve said it countless times i believe that Luke getting playoff experience is the best thing possibly about the Pistons making the playoffs. Also getting people in the building and re-establishing the Detroit basketball brand has been a priority for this team and it’s safe to say even if they get swept in this series, that goal was reached. A first year front office with Ed Stefanski at the helm and a first year head coach in Dwane Casey have a vision and they did not have to mortgage their future to get into the playoffs.
I know for Pistons fans who saw the Stan Van Gundy era come and go think the team should be farther along but the truth is, this team isn’t half of what they are trying to build into Detroit. There is a few pieces like Blake Griffin, who if he did not injure his knee, the Pistons might not be getting throttled by maybe the best team in the NBA. As mentioned before Kennard is a great piece to build around and Andre, who may have had his worst game of the season, is still the best rebounder in the league and still only twenty-five years old.
“It was one of our best crowds all year” Dwane Casey said “You could look up to the top row and it was filled, that is what we are going for. We are trying to get our program where Milwaukee is, i remember going to Milwaukee two, three years ago and they were in the same situation as us right now.”
As for game four, Blake Griffin said their approach will be just like before.
“Our motivation is to win the game and as for me will take it day by day” Griffin said in regards to his knee injury which he seemed to re aggravate in the third quarter.
With still at least more game to go, It is certain that their is an appetite for professional basketball in Detroit, this summer will be huge in building on the steps taken this season. The Pistons will need Blake, if they want to have any chance to extend this series but even being down 3 games to none, LCA will be a ruckus once again Monday night.