JB Bickerstaff defended the progress made by the Detroit Pistons this season and rejected the idea that the year should be viewed as a disappointment.
Following Detroit’s playoff elimination, the veteran coach emphasized how much the team improved throughout the season and praised the players for their commitment and sacrifices.
“I don’t think we fell short of anything,” Bickerstaff said. “These guys have improved massively and done a great job.”
The Pistons coach also said criticism of the group would be unfair considering how far the franchise has come.
“Anything other than positivity towards this group is unacceptable,” Bickerstaff said.
He pointed to the team’s development, chemistry, and willingness to sacrifice for each other as major accomplishments during the season.
“Everybody wants to win a championship every year,” Bickerstaff said. “But how much did you grow? How much did you improve? Did you sacrifice for the greater good of the team?”
“Our guys did that collectively every single day and we got better,” he added.
Bickerstaff concluded by saying Detroit successfully put itself in a competitive position and that there was “nothing disappointing” about the season or the team’s overall progress.
Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff: “I don’t think we fell short of anything. These guys have improved massively and done a great job. Anything other than positivity towards this group is unacceptable. The turnaround from where we’ve come from and what these guys have been… pic.twitter.com/BnsEOgHBYz
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 18, 2026
