Order of the Blazing Horse

Kofie Yeboah (@KofieWhy) returns to the pod to talk about the Pistons’ hot start to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cavs and how they can maintain their level of play moving forward. Then they talk offseason moves and, together, the three guys put their heads together to declare the “Court of the Blazing Horse.”

After the playoff comeback of the millennium, the Detroit Pistons have stunned the Orlando Magic in Florida, forcing a game 7 at home on Sunday. Harry and Mickey are joined by Aaron Weaver to talk Cade Cunningham's ascension, Ausar Thompson's demonic defense, Uncle T Tobias Harris' value, Jalen Duren's, uh... presence?, and the energy shift provided when J.B. Bickerstaff brought in BBall Paul. Can the Pistons' repeat history and bury all the national media haters Magic in one fell swoop? Hooper and the boys will do everything in their power to bring that to fruition, especially using the help of Aaron's aura cleansing abilities.

If defense wins championships, then the Detroit Pistons are looking good in the East. But, to be fair, so are the Orlando Magic. Harry and Mickey break down game 3 and the series as a whole. Can Detroit still be considered contenders? Were all the fears about this team correct? Where the heck are Jalen Duren, Daniss Jenkins, and Isaiah Stewart?!? And also, we'll be looking to the future - future opponents, future needs, future contracts.

The Detroit Pistons have accomplished the unthinkable - in a mere two years they've gone from 60 losses to 60 wins and secured the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. While Detroit dominated, even when missing Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart, most members of the media see them as an early exit from the playoffs. We at the Order have to ask, WHAT UP WIT DAT!?! Harry and Mickey talk what makes the Pistons tick, tick, and BOOM, why they should be considered more of a threat than they're getting credit for, and play a game of "You Might Be a Pistons Fan".

Harry and Mickey discuss the Pistons’ recent success without Cade and how this could affect the team come playoffs. Then, they preview the upcoming game where a short-handed Detroit squad will take on a finally healthy Sixers. To cap things off, they assemble a team of the leagues most notorious crybabies… and it’s lowkey nice?

Harry and Mickey are joined by a very special guest. You know him from Spotrac and Front Office Show… the sultan of the salary cap, the king of contracts, one of the ball-knowingest writers and analysts in the biz: Keith mf-ing Smith! They talk narratives this season, the Pistons’ cap situation next season, and some potential offseason acquisitions. Then, they play a game called NO CAP, which is basically Jenga but with players’ contracts instead of wooden blocks.

Two of the leagues most storied franchises, the Detroit Pistons and the Los Angeles Lakers, have just faced off, both trying to cling to home court advantage and higher seeding in their respective conferences. Harry and Mickey talk about the matchup, Daniss blasting back on the scene, and the Pistons' shot at a first round win without Cade, and their potential rotation.

With but a month remaining in the 2025-26 regular season, the Pistons received a devasting blow as Cade Cunningham suffered a partially collapsed lung. As they cling to their lead in the East, do Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and the Nasty Dawg b-sides have what it takes to fight off challengers at the top? Harry and Mickey, joined by Bryan Toporek, discuss their chances, the ever evolving potential playoff rotation, who they want to see in the first round, and which players need to step up the most. They also discuss the implications of Cade potentially missing out on awards, and how that could effect Jalen Duren and his money.

Harry and Mickey chop it up with legendary writer Kelly Dwyer about the Pistons recent struggles, the season thus far, and the state of the sports media landscape in 2026. Then, the guys tap into their 90s-00s roots by likening players to classic movie characters from that era, and finally, they make some NBA playoff predictions March Madness bracket-style.

The boys (the good boys, not the Bad Boys) break down the recent play of some of Detroit's veteran players. While Tobias Harris has had a couple great games, the growing concerns about Caris LeVert have reached max capacity. Can Detroit afford to keep him in the rotation? Harry and Mickey also discuss what's worse for the league: tanking or flopping?

The Pistons are back from the All-Star break, Jalen Duren is back from suspension, the Pistons are back to their winning ways, and amazing guest Jamel Johnson is back joining the Order of the Blazing Horse. The duo (Deuce/Duren) has been incredible since the return, with one hard-fought loss to the San Antonio Spurs, as Detroit looks to close out the last remaining difficult stretch of their season. Harry and Mickey talk the apparent playoff rotation, Ron Holland II's explosiveness, Ausar's accountability against the Spurs, and their championship chances.

The Order is honored to be joined by another dynamic duo (no, not Cade and JD), but Josh and Kwab of The Dime! The quartet discusses Cade Cunningham's shot at winning MVP, the budding Pistons/Knicks rivalry, and whether or not the East is really as weak as the national narrative suggests. They close with their very own solution to the tanking conundrum - drafting punishments/humiliations for tanking teams. Praise horse.

Friend of the pod, Doug “Duglust” Berns returns to discuss his latest opuses… or is it opai? Either way, he talks about working with Ben Stiller (again!) and writing a Spanish song to honor the Knicks’ acquisition of Jose Alvarado and Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show. Then, the guys discuss the pros and cons of Beef Stew’s fighting spirit before playing an Eastern Conference Playoffs edition of Who Would You Rather Face?

Hey now, JD's an All-Star. We got 2 now (3 w/ J.B.). Go PLAAAAY. The Order of the Blazing Horse congratulates Jalen Duren on his first All-Star selection and break down what has made him such a special player this year. Then, they discuss the end of Jaden Ivey's Detroit tenure, the arrival of Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric, and the myriad ways Trajan Langdon can make moves to secure Daniss Jenkins a standard contract and roster spot on the Detroit Pistons before his 2-way availability (and the trade deadline) runs out. Plus, Harry and Mickey make an offer to the lords of chance in event the Pistons win 40 games before the All-Star break.

Harry and Mickey rank 21 trade targets names they've seen in rumors and/or flat out fan dreams, based on skillset, team fit, and potential cost.

A loss to the Houston Rockets, the Order swallows a reality pill regarding the Pistons' offense and looks forward to the future. Mickey and Harry are joined by writer and Kings fan Whitney Ralls to discuss the upcoming matchup against Sacramento, Piston trade candidates Malik Monk and Keon Ellis, and the sad state of the Kings in general. They close by bringing back a fan favorite game, "Who You Talkin' Bout, Reddit?" - this time in the battle of Maliks (Monk and Beasley).

Eastern challengers? No chance. No (All-Star Starter) Cade? No problem. The Detroit Pistons have rattled off 4 straight wins from our last show, including a massively important statement game against the Boston Celtics and then shutting down Piston trade dream darling Trey Murphy III. Their defense has been the best in the league for the last two months (a DEFRTG of 99.8 in 2026!!!), but their offense has been... a bit of a mess. On top of that, their is congestion in the rotation, and as the season nears the trade deadline on February 5th, the Pistons have some tough decisions to make. Mickey and Harry go over their options, wax poetic about their defense, and give some props to Dunc, Unc, and Duren. Plus, the Order tries to name each others' Non-Piston Player Crushes.

The Order is blessed to be joined once again by special guest Bryce Simon (@MotorCityHoops and  @GameTheoryPodcastwSamVecenie  ). They put a few different hats on his head, put the coals to his feet, and ask some burning (blazing even) questions facing this Detroit Pistons' staff as the team prepares for the final 4 weeks before the trade deadline. How can Fred Vinson improve the free throw shooting? What would J.B. Bickerstaff's playoff rotation be as of now? What kind of move, if any, will Trajan Langdon make to get Cade Cunningham some shooting/scoring help? What do you do with Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris, Caris LeVert, Marcus Sasser, the trade exception (TPE)?

After back to back dubs on back to back nights against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks, the Detroit Pistons surely have laid to rest all the debate about who the best team in the Eastern Conference is, no? Mickey and Harry welcome back Doug Berns (@duglust) to the show, and talk reactions to the Pistons' defense devouring the Knicks. It's all love, though, as they close on a game of Mensch or Bench, DET/NY edition.

The Pistons are on a bit of a skid, having lost 3 of 4 (with an absolute beatdown of the Lakers breaking it up), and questions loom large for this squad as they kick off the new year. Mickey and Harry talk Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris' injuries, the impact of Marcus Sasser, Ron Holland and Isaiah Stewart's defense, Cade's MVP case, Ivey's development, and offer some New Year's Resolutions the Detroit Pistons should consider.

The Order welcomes comedian and lifetime Pistons' fan Nate Fridson to the show to talk his feelings on the team. The fellas briefly discuss the games against the Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets, and Portland Trailblazers, and then preview the rest of their roadtrip against the Sacramento Kings, the Utah Jazz, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. They also cover Nate's created holiday, Whiskey Basketball Day, and play a game of Mensch or Bench.

After spanking the Hawks and overpowering the Celtics, the Pistons have won 6 of their last 7 and keep their lead atop the eastern conference. Mickey and Harry take a look at their upcoming schedule and preview the Detroit/Dallas matchup, asking who's more super, Cade or Cooper? They touch on the development of Jaden Ivey, see if the causes for concerns with Jalen Duren's statistical dip are valid, and close on a pipin hot sesh of Top 1s, ranking the first overall picks of the last decade.

The boys (2 men) are joined by NBA.com's own John Schuhmann to discuss how the Pistons first quarter of the season has gone. They debate the merits of Duncan Robinson in the starting five, and ask is Cade in the MVP race? Is Duren an All-Star? Is Ivey long for the team? Can they keep this going? They also discuss the compression of the rotation. Do you think they'll be buyers or sellers at the deadline? Who knows!

Duncan Robinson has been out for consecutive games and the spacing is giving shades of '23-24. And while Cade Cunningham is coming off Player of the Month and J.B. Bickerstaff is coming off Coach of the Month honors, the still atop the east Pistons have some glaring holes they need to fix. Who can step up and be the number 2 to #2? Will anyone start hitting threes? Can they stop collapsing at the end of games? Why so many turnovers, dog? And for just a little fun, Mickey and Harry compile the All-Pistons-Killers Squad.

Fresh off the Boston/Cup Matchup, Mickey and Harry break down the game, as well as everything Pistons' fans have to be thankful for this season. Screw turkey, we're having ourselves some Thanksgiving CunningHAM! J.B. Bickerstaff is dishing out rotation minutes like they're sweet potatoes, stuffing, and mac n' cheese, and he's making sure everybody eats. But as the holiday season closes, will the big family meals persist, or will there be a lil trimming coming up?

Another week of wins for the Detroit Pistons, who, at 13-2, are tied for their best start in franchise history. They've gone streaking, and they're coming off a massive win in Atlanta against the pre-season-darling Hawks. Harry and Mickey bring back the Overreactor to talk about this team's continued success in the face of all their injuries, the rise of Daniss Jenkins aka JENKINSANITY, and to speculate on the return of Jaden Ivey, who was recently assigned to the Motor City Cruise for his ramp up return to play.

After three consecutive and escallatingly crazier victories, the Pistons have taken over the Eastern Conference and sit alone in first place. Heck, the only team with a better record in the NBA is the Oklahoma City Thunder. And you know what, the similarities between the two franchises are staggering. Harry and Mickey wax poetic about the performances of Cade Cunningham, Daniss Jenkins, Jalen Duren, Paul Reed, Duncan Robinson, and Caris LeVert. They're not alone on the show to break it down as they're joined by Riverboat Greg (Mike O'Keefe), who allegedly was part of Chauncey Billups' poker crew.

Fresh on the heels of a 4 game win streak, Harry and Mickey are pleased as punch with the Pistons' young core. Whether it's Cade Cunningham devouring teams in the 4th quarter, or Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart putting up 20+ point, 10+ rebound games, or the overall disruption of Ausar Thompson and Ronald Holland II, there's a lot to like in the D. Detroit is sittin' pretty as the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference, with a fairly favorable looking schedule through the rest of Novemember, and the fellas at the Order tackle whether the Pistons should hold steady and keep the development going, or really make a push to make some noise and make a run at the Eastern title.

Can we get a good first quarter, please? Mickey and Harry break down the performance of the team through the first 5 games, covering the struggles the Pistons have putting the ball through the basket, the defensive lapses from the new guys, and discuss just what this team needs to fix what ails em. It ain't all bad, though, as the team is 3-2, including a bounce back beatdown of the Orlando Magic after getting embarrassed two nights earlier by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Plus, the Order consults a Ouija board to inform us of what lies ahead.

The season is up and off to a, well, underwhelming start. The Pistons dropped their season opener in Chicago against the Bulls, and while there are a couple things to like, Mickey and Harry have their concerns. Is it too early? We'll answer that with a segment of Real Beef or Nothing Burger.

We're 3 games deep into the preseason and a lot of what we've seen from the Detroit Pistons has provided some answers, but even more questions - not that that's a bad thing! Is this how they're going to play during the regular season or are the Pistons just getting live reps for their young players to build their game for the long run? Is Jaden Ivey okay? What does the offense look like without Cade Cunningham on the floor? Mickey and Harry tackle these questions, as well as any others the chat may have.

2 preseason games down and Cade Cunningham is lettin' y'all know that he's got somethin to say in the MVP race (RIGHT?). Harry and Mickey talk about individual performaces so far and they each take a turn in the OOBH Overreactor, where their takes get juiced up and they have to talk each other back down to reality. They close with a Basketball Movie Club segment talking about an all-time great, Love & Basketball.

The season is so so close and the media day talk had the Order gleeking. Harry and Mickey go over the lovely little nuggets they dug up from the subtle - and not so subtle - comments made by the players and staff of the Detroit Pistons rolling into the 2025-2026 season. They wrap this episode up with another session of the Basketball Movie Club, going over the Marlon Wayans/Kadeem Hardison classic "The Sixth Man".

After going over The Ringer's article (written by Michael Pina) suggesting the Pistons trade for Lauri Markkanen, Harry and Mickey weigh the pros and cons of this decision, as well as compare that addition to a potential Keegan Murray swap. They also continue onward with the Basketball Movie Club and discuss the Don Cheadle vehicle "Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault"

Mickey and Harry welcome Sixers fan and writer/producer Mike Benner (Destroy All Neighbors, Bob's Burgers, That Lion Show) to the show to talk Eastern Conference Expectations, the state of Philadelphia, and we take a nice long look at Tobias Harris and BBall Paul. They also discuss the Adam Sandler, cameo-heavy, basketball movie club selection "Hustle"

Mickey and Harry are once again joined by musical genius, basketball obsessive, and all-around great dude, Doug Berns, aka @Duglust, to chat about the upcoming 2025-2026 Season and the state of the Eastern Conference. Then, they dive into the fifth edition of Basketball Movie Club: Eddie.

Malik Beasley MAY be cleared? Maybe not???? Rumors are that he's been in talks with the Pistons the whole time, but also that he has interest in teams like the Cavaliers and the Knicks. Is he looking for a prove it deal? Is he looking for as much money as possible? Is he looking for a title run? Harry and Mickey discuss all the possibilities and debate his (and the Pistons') best case scenario. They also talk some moves around the league (Cam Thomas, PJ Washington), the All Star Game, and the Steve Ballmer/Kawhi Leonard scandal - which leads to a little game we call "Sweetening the Pot." Plus, this week's edition of Basketball Movie Club - this time it's the Spike Lee joint "He Got Game".

Mickey and Harry take a look at what their lob king Jalen Duren could command as far as an extension goes, compare him to some other bigs, and talk what they hope to get from him this season. They also roll right into the third edition of Basketball Movie Club, this time having tackled the Oscar-snubbed documentary "Hoop Dreams".

The Pistons are up to the minimum of required roster spots filled by signing 6'4" wing Javonte Green! Will he be their backup 4? And John Hollinger suggests Ivey's output puts him in the WHAT?!?-range for a contract? Harry and Mickey talk about the contract they'd be down to give JI and if they'd do it today. They close on their Basketball Movie Club segment, this time going over Hoosiers, a movie that they are both seeing for the first time.

After a quick discussion about what the Pistons may be doing with their roster spots, the boys at the Order are celebrating their 50th episode and easin the summer slow season by starting a new segment: the Basketball Movie Club. Harry and Mickey watch and review basketball movies of all shapes, sizes, and genres. They kick it off with a classic that Mickey has never seen before, Blue Chips, starring Nick Nolte, Shaq, Penny Hardaway, and Mary McDonnell.

Mickey and Harry are joined by renowned (formerly of NBA TV) GOATmentator Beau Estes (@nbabeau), covering his career as the voice you all know as the Top 10 rhyme scheme fiend. They talk his career, his view on the Pistons, and end on a draft of the best names in the NBA to riff and rhyme with.

Mickey and Harry drink the kool-aid (literally) as they perform a power hour, taking a shot and bringing up a new point every minute. They spend a lot of time talking power forward/the 4 spot, but they cover a lot more of what Detroit can expect from their squad.

Grab your glizzies and pop on those tank tops, because the boys of Summer League are ballin out and Harry and Mickey are here to talk about it. They discuss the performances of Ron Holland II, Daniss Jenkins, Chaz Lanier, Bobi Klintman, and Tolu Smith, as well as the comments from Trajan Langdon and J.B. Bickerstaff. And, for the first time ever, the fellas are here to talk Pistons basketball from the same location WHAT?!

Mickey and Harry welcome poet and Pistons fan Mitchell Nobis to the Order to share his feelings about the team and some of his prose on the pros (dare we hint at a Ben Wallace reference?). They talk what they'd like to see from Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen (Downtown?) Duren, Ausar Thompson, and Ron Holland, discuss the new pick ups, and play a game of "Who You Talkin 'Bout, Reddit?" with the new acquisitions.   Get Mitch's book, "The Size of the Horizon, or, I Explained Everything to the Trees" here: https://matchfactoryeditions.com/books/The-Size-of-the-Horizon-or-I-Explained-Everything-to-the-Trees-p727302583

It was reported that Malik Beasley is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney's office on allegations of gambling related to prop bets and the NBA (from during his 2023-24 season with the Bucks). Harry and Mickey hop on to discuss the ramifications of this and how it effects Malik and the team moving forward.

The Order welcomes Laz Jackson (@lazchance) to the show and we grill him about what he would do if he was in Trajan Langdon's shoes. We talk all the trades, the draft, the state of the East, and close on a game of 2 Truths & a Lie.

Tobias Harris is on an expiring contract he ain't gettin any younger. His season last year with Detroit was a breath of fresh air and much needed, but the Pistons have to be wondering who will be starting in 2026 and possibly 2025. Harry and Mickey are, too, and they take this offseason opportunity to explore possible candidates to fill the four for the future.

Mickey and Harry welcome back Bryce Simon (@MotorCityHoops) to the show to discuss the future of the 5 position in Detroit. With rumors that the Pistons are interested in stretch 5 free agents Myles Turner and Naz Reid, the Order goes from mystical to mythical on their hunt for the Last Unicorn. They take a look at how "real" Turner and Reid winding up in Detroit is, then explore other avenues in the draft (Maxime Raynaud), in FA (Brook Lopez), in a trade (Domantis Sabonis), and ask themselves, "is it even worth it when you've got a 21 year old Jalen Duren here at home???" To close, they play a game of NIMBY or YIMBY where the fellas suggest items for Bryce’s back yard and he gives the yay or nay

Harry and Mickey are once again joined by friend of the pod, New York Knicks super fan, and musical/comedy genius: Doug “Duglust” Berns! The trio discusses the firing of Tom Thibodeau and the virtues of stretch bigs before playing a round of everyone’s favorite game: Who You Talkin’ ‘Bout, Reddit?

Harry and Mickey catch up on the Eastern and Western Conference Finals before going over growth areas for the Pistons’ young core. Then they play a game called “I’ll Show You My Offseason If You Show Me Yours” where they compare notes on what moves they’d make to help Detroit come back bigger, badder, and better.