4/27/26 8:00PM RD1 GM4 Pistons (1-2) @ Magic (2-1)

[Hongbit]

The Magic FO deserves credit.  

They made a trade that was universally panned.  4 unprotected firsts for Desmond Bane.   They got exactly what they wanted and needed from him.  He wasn’t the 2nd option down the stretch.  He was the guy.  Making huge shots and also providing a little attitude that they needed in this series.  

Their roster only played 19 games together and we are seeing first had what they are capable of at full strength.  

One GM rolled the dice with a huge move and the other did nothing for fear of “upsetting the culture of the room”.    The results are showing.

Edited 3 hours ago by Hongbit

[Hongbit]

I also have to give a shout out to @Deleterious and @Betrayer.  

For the last year, they have both  repeatedly talked about this exact scenario of the Duren offensive model not working in the playoffs.   Here we are and it’s come to fruition almost exactly as they predicted.  Amazing that Trajan and any of 35 VP’s that are employed by the club couldn’t figure out.  

[Deleterious]

I also said Detroit would sweep.  So, ya know.

[casimir]

1 hour ago, Deleterious said:

I also said Detroit would sweep.  So, ya know.

Well, if they could sweep the end of this series, I think we could look past your prediction.

[Sports_Freak]

2 hours ago, Hongbit said:

The Magic FO deserves credit.  

They made a trade that was universally panned.  4 unprotected firsts for Desmond Bane.   They got exactly what they wanted and needed from him.  He wasn’t the 2nd option down the stretch.  He was the guy.  Making huge shots and also providing a little attitude that they needed in this series.  

Their roster only played 19 games together and we are seeing first had what they are capable of at full strength.  

One GM rolled the dice with a huge move and the other did nothing for fear of “upsetting the culture of the room”.    The results are showing.

Fans who are screaming about the Pistons not making a move makes them feel better but I also read an article about teams making a big trade deadline move hadn't won them a championship in 8 years. Could we have been the next team? We'll never know. I see their point though, at least we could have tried. The heck with the future, I wanna win now 

[Deleterious]

Maybe its a blessing Langdon didn't make a trade.  His big free agent acquisition played 25 minutes and scored 2 points last night.