Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t help but remember the Pistons’ coach! Despite calling the team “boring,” he had been watching the Pistons, especially Isaiah Stewart’s game. “I love the way Stewart plays,” he said on the TNT show. But all of a sudden? Wait, it came after nearly three Pistons players were suspended after the infamous brawl with the Timberwolves, and the Lakers’ legend seemingly protested against the suspension. However, the decision was made. And perhaps in response to this recent incident, the Pistons owner, Tom Gores, penned a very special message to motivate the fans, and guess who had a say on it? Isiah Thomas.

Addressing the Detroit Basketball family, the $3.5 billion (as per Forbes) team’s owner poured his heart out in the post. “In recent days, our team has faced scrutiny stemming from moments of intensity on the court. Let me be absolutely clear, we stand behind our players,” the post read.

It further read, “While I wish the penalty outcome had been different, I write to you with a full heart, with pride in our players, passion for our city and a clear voice of support for all those who wear the Pistons’ colours…Together we will keep building, together we will keep competing and together we will keep proving that Detroit basketball is more than a game, it’s a real life.”

And the message was heard by the people. It even echoed beyond and reached former NBA player Isiah Thomas. The retired NBA player took to the comments section to share a few words of encouragement. “Let it be known,” he wrote with a fire emoji. Former ESPN member Jalen Rose did the same. “BOSSUP” he wrote to show his support. Safe to say, the players are rallying behind the Pistons’ boss. But what about fans?

As said, the message might have come to instill hope among the players and fans. The suspension did impact the team. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 33 points. Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 23 points to lead the Pistons, however, the effort couldn’t help as OKC secured a 119-103 win. Against one of the formidable teams right now, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the shorthanded Pistons couldn’t keep up. Not to mention, the Pistons were missing some of the best players.

Fans reacted to Tom Gores’ motivating message 

Stewart is one of the most important players on the team. He was suspended for two games after the brawl, due to his previous incidents. However, like O’Neal, many showed support for him. It also includes Isiah Thomas. A netizen appreciated Tom’s warm words and wrote, “Tom I apologize for hating you the last few years.” The ultimate boss did win hearts, as the suspension decision didn’t sit well with the ‘stakeholders’.

When Gores hyped up the fans, Stewart’s teammate Dennis Schröder did the same for him. He shared the video of Stewart’s exit from the game on his Instagram. A netizen was thrilled to see the franchise’s support for their players and wrote, “Oh we are soooo back, LOVE THIS TEAMMMM.” So back? Fans surely want a desperate gang on the court, unapologetic unless it harms the play. The message is clear? Another wrote, “Started out not too sure about Tom! But after this, let’s go I’m 100% on board!#”

It all happened during the Pistons vs. Timberwolves game. Detroit Pistons players Ron Holland II and Marcus Sasser were suspended for one game. All five players, along with Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Minnesota assistant Pablo Prigioni, were ejected from the game, which the Timberwolves won 123-104. 

But fans didn’t lose hope. An enthusiast wrote, “It hit different with the owner stand with us DETROIT VS EVERYBODY.” Gores has been criticized, but he is not always on the wrong side of the boat. The Pistons fans have once even urged the owner to sell the team. However, he has always been determined.

Even with naysayers criticizing him, he has continued to give his full support to the team. “Gores really pulled off the greatest comeback of all time. Heard the sell the team chants and locked in,” a player wrote. Then came the ultimate declaration: “the turnaround from gores needs to be studied, went from one of the most hated owners in the league to one of the most liked.” Is the NBA listening? Or teams where GMs and the management are hated? Nico Harrison, maybe you?

Gores has truly come a long way, and amidst this time, it was only fitting that he reminded the fans of the team’s legacy.