Pistons = 70 wins?

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

Don't know if anybody knows this (or cares, for that matter), but before losing to the Nets last night, the Detroit Pistons were slightly ahead of the winning percentage of the '95-'96 Bulls, who set a record by going 72-10 in the regular season. They are, to this date, the only NBA team to win 70 games in a season. They won 69 the year after, with the Knicks beating them on the last game of the season.

Anyway, coming into last night's game, the Pistons were 37-5, one game ahead of the Bulls pace. Now, they are 37-6, and they would have to finish 35-4 to tie the '96 Bulls, or 33-6 to finish with 70 wins.

What's interesting is that while that Bulls team had the greatest basketball player of all time, the greatest second option of all time, and one of the greatest rebounders of all time (all of whom were great defenders), this Pistons team is basically star-less.

Well, do you guys think they can do it?

DMW

It's hard to imagine this Pistons team pulling off that kind of record, but they certainly seem well on their way. The NBA feels a little watered down this year, with only the Pistons and Spurs qualifying as great teams, so I just don't think there are many teams out there to stop the Pistons from reaching 70 wins.

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

Yeah, the Pistons and Spurs are definitely the cream of the crop. The Suns should be really good when Amare Stoudamire comes back two.

It's hard to imagine any team other than those three making a serious run at the title.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Well, I could see the Heat givng people problems if Shaq plays a big factor.. Big question mark though.

As far as 70 wins, they could do it but they have to be motivated. Jordan wouldn't let the Bulls take a night off and the more I think about it, I think the Bulls were really trying to prove a point that year. Everyone would call the Bulls great but they weren't willing to say "best team of all time" until the 70 win season. Now you can't find anyone who puts a team ahead of the Bulls, right or wrong.

Don't make a mistake though, these Pistons have stars. A lot of people say they are just a group of really good players like the Pats but I don't think so.. I don't think that about the Pats and I don't think that about the Pistons. Ben Wallace is a great defender and rebounder, already has awards for it.. Rasheed Wallace is quite possibly the best forward other than Duncan and Garnett in the whole league, and then there's Billups and Hamilton who are the best backcourt in the league IMO.