Schoch: F’ing Finally! NBA Lottery Win Can Revive Detroit’s Dead Pro Sports Scene

One major factor that weighed on my mind when making the decision to leave Michigan for the first time in 2010 revolved around the Detroit sports teams.

In baseball, the Detroit Tigers boasted the finest hitter and pitcher. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson were brimming with boundless potential. The Red Wings and Pistons, throughout my entire existence, consistently maintained a high level of performance.

While my close friends and family celebrate, I’ll be hundreds of miles away, these teams are bound to win titles in the coming years.

Looking back, it’s quite amusing.

During my ten-year absence from Michigan, I suppose I was fortunate enough not to miss anything significant.

However, our luck changed on Tuesday night when, after enduring countless years of Detroit sports providing a distinctively different experience from following genuine sports, we finally received a positive surprise.

It is highly probable that Cade Cunningham will choose Michigan as his destination, and his arrival may bring a resurgence of Detroit sports along with him.

Detroit Pistons win NBA Draft Lottery after years of misses

You must have heard about it by now.

My point is, when was the last instance you heard about Detroit sports?

Despite having the second-worst record in the league, the Detroit Pistons managed to defy expectations and emerged victorious in the NBA Draft Lottery.

After the implementation of the lottery system in 1985, Detroit had its own pick and only a 14.0% chance of securing it. However, against the odds, they managed to move up and land the pick.

The Pistons are set to secure the first overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft, marking only the third occurrence in their franchise history. This remarkable event hasn’t taken place for them since 1970, a notable span of 51 years.

Because of general manager Troy Weaver, the top draft prospect will be joining a situation that is not hopeless.

In a short period, a solid base of young talent has been established. Despite being only 27 years old, Jerami Grant is seen as the experienced leader. Isaiah Stewart and Saddiq Bey are valuable assets to the team. Killian Hayes, Sekou Doumbouya, Saben Lee, and several others have displayed promising potential, indicating that there is something special brewing within the team.

One year ago, this organization was unprepared to secure the top pick. A renowned prospect might have simply waited in Detroit, with the countdown beginning until an inevitable trade request a few years later.

It seems like that’s not the situation here.

Cade Cunningham headed to Detroit, it seems

There are a few formalities that need to be addressed here.

As we find ourselves on Wednesday morning, there is no certainty regarding the selection of Cunningham, the talented guard from Oklahoma State. According to PointsBet Sportsbook, Cunningham stands at -800 to be chosen first, while BetMGM Sportsbook places the odds at -2000.

Although he excels in talent evaluation, Weaver has also demonstrated his penchant for thinking outside the box.

While I would prioritize selecting Cunningham, I am also highly impressed by Evan Mobley from USC. There are rumors suggesting that Detroit has a strong interest in Jalen Green from the G League Ignite team as well.

It is Weaver’s responsibility to thoroughly review all the tape, engage in discussions with his confidants, and rely on his intuition.

If he is convinced that Mobley or Green are the best choices, he might be able to negotiate a beneficial trade, similar to the Jayson Tatum or Luka Doncic draft trades that occurred in recent years, to obtain some additional value.

Furthermore, it should be emphasized that Cunningham is not on the same level as LeBron James, but he is far better than Anthony Bennett.

By the way, did you hear about the Cleveland Cavaliers once again getting lucky in the lottery? It seems like Dan Gilbert, a resident of Michigan, must have some divine favor on his side.

Cunningham exhibits a strong foundation as a versatile offensive player, along with being a committed and capable defensive asset. He possesses intangible qualities that allow him to excel in competitive situations and take on leadership roles.

Determining whether he is a consistent All-Star or simply a highly skilled player is a valid inquiry, yet it is an extremely positive predicament given our past circumstances!

It might be wise for Detroit to cash in the lottery ticket and rely on Cade, but Weaver has the freedom to decide his own course.

Detroit hopes tumbled over the wall with Torii Hunter

When it comes to paths, Detroit fans have certainly been experiencing a rough patch lately.

Despite Detroit not being a prominent coastal hub or a well-known Midwest pillar, our city experiences its own enduring pain, though it may not receive as much attention as the likes of Bill Buckner or Steve Bartman.

The Tigers had a powerhouse team consisting of Prime Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Prince Fielder, all set to make a breakthrough. However, their hopes were shattered in an instant when the San Francisco Giants swept them in the 2012 World Series, despite their magical run.

In 2013, during Game 2 of the ALCS, David Ortiz showcased his strength by hitting a grand slam off Joaquin Benoit. This incredible play occurred with two outs in the eighth inning and resulted in a tie score of 5-1.

To make matters even more dreadful, considering our team’s leaky bullpen and the accumulated frustration we had endured for several years, we, as fans, were well aware that this outcome was inevitable.

Once Torii Hunter somersaulted over the wall at Fenway Park, our certainty grew that the game’s outcome was sealed.

To make matters worse, our agonizing experience became a meme, merely adding to the long list of forgettable incidents endured by an unbearable sports fan community.

Even more concerning is the fact that it pushed Detroit sports to a point where there is no longer an existence of rival fan bases. When a team is at the lowest point, no one shows any interest or concern.

Do you believe that the Green Bay Packers view the Lions as their rivals?

Detroit sports could rise from the ashes

I assure you, this is not a tale of despair. The sports scene in Detroit is not plagued by a curse, and neither are we, the devoted fans.

This past decade of disaster can be attributed to inadequate management and overwhelmed ownership as the primary factors.

However, in addition to the fortunate lottery strike by the Pistons, the presence of reliable figures like Weaver, Steve Yzerman, A.J. Hinch, and (surprisingly) perhaps Brad Holmes, offers genuine grounds for optimism.

The Red Wings spearheaded by Moritz Seider, offer a promising roster of talented youngsters, while the Tigers are witnessing the emergence of top draft picks. As for the Lions, there’s a glimmer of hope that they can’t possibly decline any further, can they?

However, the feeling of securing an NBA top draft pick during a successful draft season remains unparalleled.

Compared to top NFL quarterbacks, the bust rate is minimal, while basketball offers an easier avenue for a young star to rapidly establish their significant presence.

No matter what unfolds from this point forward, Tuesday proved to be an enjoyable evening for fans of Detroit sports.

Something is brewing in Detroit for those who closely track the NBA. It won’t be long before the entire sports community, regardless of their interests, becomes aware of it.