DETROIT >> Two weeks into training camp, coach J.B. Bickerstaff has instilled several vital teachings into the Detroit Pistons. Although the Pistons have a handful of players who can take the helm as the franchise’s focal point on both ends, Bickerstaff’s early lessons stem from his belief in unity and teamwork.

Even amid a disappointing preseason loss to the short-handed Golden State Warriors on Sunday, the Pistons have shown signs of promise entering the 2024-25 season. After four preseason games, the Pistons have improved in nearly every statistical category when compared to their 14-68 outing of the previous year.

“In order for us to get to where we want to go, we have to instill the mindset that the team is the most important thing, and that’s where our strength will lie,” Bickerstaff said after the Pistons’ 111-93 loss to the Warriors. “We might not be the most talented team on the floor every night, but we can be the best team on the floor every single night, and that’s what we’re trying to instill in our guys.”

Bickerstaff has been candid about using the preseason to give each of his players an equal chance to prove their attributes on both sides of the court.

The Pistons’ defense has been their most noteworthy growth area. They have given up an average of 98.5 points and possessed the third-best preseason defensive ranking, with a net rating of 98.5. Although Jalen Duren has taken pride in being responsible for Detroit’s defensive potential over the previous two seasons, Bickertstaff’s scheme isn’t independent of the characteristics of a defensive anchor.

Bickerstaff’s defense maximizes each player’s skill set. As a result, Malik Beasley, who never considered himself a defensive-minded player, believes Bickerstaff’s pedigree could help him continue his development as a 3-and-D prospect.

“All the things that make up (a good) team, the selflessness, the willingness to compete, the willingness to sacrifice for the greater good, all those things are things that we can control,” Bickerstaff said. “Each of us individually is going to have to find that on a consistent basis.”

While scoring an average of 104.8 points, the Pistons’ preseason offense has been the 16th-best. Last season, it finished fourth worst in the league after producing a net rating of 118.0.

A significant reason for Detroit’s promising offense has been the improvements made in fixing its turnover woes. The only game in which turnovers were a significant issue for the Pistons came amid a loss against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 8 at Michigan State’s Breslin Center. They committed 20 turnovers in a 105-97 loss.

With the exception of their subpar performance against the Suns, the Pistons have successfully maintained Bickerstaff’s teachings for ball security, giving up an average of 13.3 turnovers.

Cade Cunningham has kept his position as the team’s primary facilitator and ball-handler. But the Pistons’ preseason outing has showcased how Bickerstaff plans to distribute the team’s playmaking duties between Tobias Harris and Jaden Ivey.

Ivey, who has consistently been Detroit’s best player, has shown his enhanced ability to go through his reads and progression as a secondary facilitator. He is currently averaging a team-best 18.3 points and 3.0 assists.

The Pistons have one exhibition game remaining against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena. The final exhibition game will give the Pistons one last chance to exercise Bickerstaff’s coaching philosophies as a team.

Bickerstaff’s top objective for the upcoming season is to help Detroit rise out of basketball purgatory, especially when it comes to improving the subpar performance that took place against the Warriors amid their biggest loss of the preseason.

“All of the stuff is lessons learned for us, and that’s what this was,” Bickerstaff said. “For us coming off a game where we played really well, and then moving on to the next game, I don’t think we got off to the start we needed to. We were just a little bit off, missing free throws, dropping balls and turning the basketball over.

“I think it was just a great experience for us, again to see a team that plays with the pace and tempo that they do, and what we’re trying to get done defensively, they really tested it. So, I think it was good for us. From that standpoint, we got something out of it, but we know we have to be better.”