Early Season Surprises in the NBA: Pistons and Raptors Exceed Expectations
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With each NBA season comes the certain rise of teams striving for improvement. Some achieve their goals through player development or strategic offseason moves, while others simply outperform preseason expectations. This season has already delivered several compelling stories of teams exceeding those expectations.
Detroit Pistons
the detroit Pistons entered the season aiming to build on their previous playoff appearance, but their start to the 2025-2026 campaign has been nothing short of remarkable. Currently boasting a 15-3 record, Detroit sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. Leading the charge is cade Cunningham, who is elevating his game beyond his already impressive All-Star season. Cunningham is averaging 27.1 points and 9.6 assists per game, driving the Pistons’ offense with his scoring and playmaking abilities. His proficiency in the mid-range is a especially potent weapon.
A notable contributor to Detroit’s success has been the breakout performance of center Jalen Duren. While showing promise in previous seasons, Duren has reached a new level this year, averaging 20.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game while shooting an remarkable 67% from the field. His usage rate has increased to 23%, and his true shooting percentage stands at an impressive 71%. Duren’s strength and athleticism make him a formidable scorer in the paint, and he’s demonstrated improved ball-handling and offensive creation.
Remarkably, the Pistons haven’t relied on blockbuster trades to achieve this success. Despite not making significant offseason acquisitions, their strong coaching and consistent performance from the entire roster have propelled them to the top of the Eastern Conference, winning 15 of their first 18 games.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors made a notable move at last season’s trade deadline, acquiring brandon Ingram from New Orleans. However, Ingram was sidelined for the remainder of last season and did not play following the trade. This season, Ingram has become a key catalyst for Toronto’s resurgence, contributing to their current standing as the second seed in the Eastern Conference with a 14-5 record.
Toronto has won 13 of their last 14 games and is currently riding a nine-game winning streak. This success is a team effort, with Scottie barnes and RJ Barrett playing pivotal roles. Barnes provides tenacious defence, while Barrett offers versatile offensive contributions.
What’s particularly striking about Toronto’s turnaround is their slow start to the season, winning only 2 of their first 6 games. The team seemingly made a significant defensive adjustment, complementing their already strong offense, and have since established themselves as a top contender in the Eastern Conference.