Credit To The Pistons For Deciding To Fight Back And Completely Bury Shaq For Talking Shit

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In a world where nobody can agree on anything regardless of the topic and especially when it comes to the NBA product, I think it's fair to suggest that pretty much every single person will agree that one of the more glaring issues the league faces is how the league is covered. We've heard it from JJ Redick, we've heard it from LeBron, we see it every time you tune into ESPN/TNT/FS1 etc for any type of programming where the topic of NBA basketball takes place, it's hard to argue that outside of the NBA's officiating problem, their marketing/media problem is probably their biggest hurdle right now (then comes access to games/League Pass blackout issues…..barely on the list is 3PA, sorry if this offends).

Our latest example of course comes via Shaq and his comments the other day about Chauncey Billups and the Pistons

Remember when all of media went after LeBron after his comments about how all that happens nowadays is media shitting on players for no reason? Let's not forget, in that same night Shaq literally did that very thing when it came to Zion's 20/10/12 triple double

Perhaps LeBron had a point?

Anyway, that's not the point of this blog. Back to the Pistons/Billups mixup. When something like this happens, the Pistons had the opportunity to do a few things. You can let the internet clown Shaq for you, sit back and just enjoy your recent success and focus on continuing to play awesome basketball as the Pistons push for the 4 seed (MIL/IND/DET are all tied) or, you can fight back.

How does an NBA team fight back in a situation like this? Easy. You get your social/marketing teams together and cook up something lethal. A death blow that you cannot respond to. Go viral, win in the court of public opinion and go on with your day. If done right, a move like that can really play. Sometimes teams try too hard and get too corny and it doesn't quite hit like it should, but that was NOT the case here.

Now this, is doing social media right in my opinion as a team account. I mean, this is a fatality. There's no response that Shaq could give as a rebuttal that would matter. Flex all his rings, so what. Awesome. You couldn't beat the Pistons despite having a superteam, and you got wrapped up in 5 games. It was one of the biggest upsets in NBA history. The Pistons were the biggest underdog to win a Finals since the mid 80s! 

In my opinion, this is what social media should be for when it comes to professional teams. If people are going to talk crazy about you on National TV shows, fight back. It doesn't matter if it's during a random part of the regular season, or immediately coming off a title

Perhaps eventually it'll jump shark and be played out, but we're not there yet. There's a reason that Pistons tweet went super viral, because a well executed clap back usually does. 

So I commend the Pistons organization for fighting back. When you're on a roll, you may as well strike while the iron's hot and get your shots in. They may not have started this back and forth, but they sure as shit ended it. 

Seriously though, if you're still somehow not paying attention to the Pistons, I suggest you start to tune in. Cade Cunningham is having an All NBA caliber season, they play tough as hell and they're 7-3 over their last 10. It's entirely possible they go from the worst team in the league last year to a team with homecourt this year, which for a team that went 2 months without winning a game is impressive as hell