All throughout the game, Detroit played basketball in the 1980s and 1990s, and now they’re calling a last-second foul. On a Cunningham miss that ought to have been a foul, Josh was held.

Basketball in Detroit has always carried an edge—a toughness bred from a city that has long been defined by its work ethic and its never-say-die attitude. From the glory days of the “Bad Boys” in the late 1980s and early 1990s to the rise of the new guard, the Detroit Pistons have always prided themselves on their gritty, no-holds-barred approach to the game. But on a recent night, a controversial moment reared its head—a last-second foul call on a Cunningham miss that was emblematic of the franchise’s ongoing struggle to reclaim its former glory.

It wasn’t just a foul call that had Pistons fans talking; it was a missed opportunity, a moment in time when it felt as though the spirit of Detroit basketball was on the line. This moment wasn’t just about a bad call in a single game, though it certainly sparked plenty of debate. It was also about what the call represented for a franchise that has long been known for its tough, gritty play and blue-collar ethos.

To understand why this last-second foul resonated so deeply with Pistons fans, it’s necessary to take a step back in time and reflect on the team’s rich history. The 1980s and 1990s were a golden era for Detroit basketball, with the Pistons becoming synonymous with a certain style of play—brutal, relentless, and unapologetic. The team’s most famous iteration, the “Bad Boys,” featured a roster of players like Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, and Joe Dumars, who embodied the spirit of Detroit in every game they played.

The Bad Boys were known for their physicality, often engaging in hard-nosed, sometimes borderline dirty, play that intimidated opponents and made them fear coming to Detroit. But more than that, they were a reflection of the city’s working-class roots. Detroit was (and still is) a place where people worked hard to get by, fought through adversity, and never backed down. The Pistons mirrored that mentality, playing with an intensity that struck fear into the hearts of opponents and endeared them to the city.

For the Pistons, it was never about finesse or style points—it was about grit. And as the Bad Boys racked up championships, they cemented their place in the annals of NBA history as one of the most legendary teams to ever play the game. But with that legacy also came the expectation that Detroit basketball would always be synonymous with toughness, resilience, and a willingness to battle through any adversity that came its way.

Fast forward to the present day, and the Detroit Pistons find themselves in a different position—one that is both hopeful and frustrating. After years of rebuilding and searching for their next identity, the team has begun to find its footing once again. Young stars like Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey are beginning to emerge as the core of the franchise, bringing a sense of optimism and excitement to a fanbase that has endured years of mediocrity. But with that hope comes a lingering question: Can the Pistons reclaim their identity as a gritty, hard-nosed team in a league that has increasingly favored finesse, speed, and skill?

The answer, it seems, lies in moments like the one that occurred during that fateful game—a game that featured a last-second miss by Cunningham, followed by what appeared to be a questionable foul call. The miss itself was a textbook example of what the Pistons need to continue doing: creating opportunities in clutch moments, getting the ball into the hands of their best player, and giving themselves a shot at victory. But the subsequent foul call—a call that many felt was an unjustified decision—left fans wondering if Detroit’s gritty reputation was still being respected by the officials.

It’s worth noting that Cunningham’s miss came after a drive to the basket where he was clearly being held by his defender—an action that, by all rights, should have warranted a foul call. As the ball sailed off his fingertips and missed the mark, the stadium fell into an uneasy silence, knowing that the game could have been decided by a simple and fair whistle. Instead, Cunningham was left to wonder what could have been had the referees called the game as it had been played.

The call, or lack thereof, was seen by many as a symbol of the struggles that Detroit has faced in recent years. While the team’s heart and hustle have always been a part of their identity, there’s a growing sense that the Pistons, as a franchise, are not getting the respect they deserve. The lack of a foul call in a crucial moment underscored a larger issue: that Detroit’s blue-collar mentality, a mentality that once defined the franchise, is no longer as celebrated in the NBA as it once was.

What makes Detroit’s situation all the more frustrating is that the Pistons are not just a team of young players trying to find their way—they’re also a franchise with a proud history of success. The Bad Boys’ legacy hangs heavily over the team, and with it comes a certain level of expectation from fans and observers alike. But in today’s NBA, where speed and perimeter shooting often trump toughness and defense, it’s easy to feel as though Detroit’s style of play is becoming outdated.

The Pistons’ struggles to regain their place in the NBA hierarchy are partly a result of the changing nature of the league. In the 1980s and 1990s, teams like the Pistons, the New York Knicks, and the Chicago Bulls thrived on physicality and tough defense. But in today’s game, the emphasis has shifted to skill, space, and the three-point shot. While teams like the Golden State Warriors have excelled in the current system, it has left teams that rely on physicality, like the Pistons, to play catch-up.

However, the decision-making that led to the foul call—or lack of it—has become a touchstone for this struggle. In a way, the missed foul symbolizes a larger problem: Detroit is not just fighting against its opponents on the court, but against a system that doesn’t always appreciate the value of their brand of basketball.

While this moment was certainly frustrating for Pistons fans, it also served as a reminder of the team’s underlying strength: resilience. Despite being overlooked, despite the bad calls and the tough losses, Detroit’s spirit remains intact. It’s in the way Cade Cunningham bounces back after a missed opportunity, in the determination of the team’s young players to prove their worth, and in the loud, unwavering support of the Pistons’ fanbase.

In many ways, this situation mirrors the challenges that Detroit has faced as a city—constantly fighting to be seen, to be respected, and to reclaim its place as one of the great sports towns in America. It’s a fight that will not be easy, but one that has defined Detroit for decades. And in this moment, that same fight for respect was on full display.

What Detroit needs now is more than just a talented young roster. They need to embrace the mentality that made them successful in the past—the toughness, the physicality, and the ability to rise above adversity. This means continuing to play with a chip on their shoulder, refusing to let bad calls, doubters, or obstacles stand in their way.

For now, the Pistons will continue to build. They will grow, develop, and, hopefully, find their way back to a place where the spirit of Detroit basketball is not only respected but feared. It might take time, but one thing is for sure: the Motor City will never stop fighting.

As the Pistons look toward the future, they know that they’re not just trying to recapture their glory days; they’re trying to redefine what Detroit basketball means in the modern era. They may not yet be a championship contender, but they are a team that is learning from the past and building for the future.

The last-second foul call on Cunningham may have been a tough pill to swallow, but it was also a symbol of the ongoing journey the Pistons are on. If they can stay true to their gritty, determined roots—just as they did in the 1980s and 1990s—they have the potential to become a force to be reckoned with once again.

In the end, it’s not just about winning games; it’s about honoring the spirit of Detroit basketball—hard, tough, and never backing down from a fight. The Pistons’ road to redemption is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: they’ll continue to play with heart, grit, and the unmistakable spirit of the Motor City.