Longtime Pistons fans settle in for Round Two of playoffs
Pistons fans savor the team making it to the second round of the playoffs in nearly two decades.
Detroit — Longtime Pistons fans say the team making it to the second round of the playoffs after nearly two decades means more than just seeing their favorite team succeed. "People tie the growth of the city to the growth of the sports teams," said lifelong Detroiter Ann Connally. "And having (the teams) all downtown really intensifies the energy for fans.
" Connally, 75, said she's been a season ticket holder since 2001 and makes it to every game she can. "The community around the team is so special," she said. "And I try to make it to every game.
I feel like it's a way to give back to the team. " More: Pistons strike first, defeat Cavaliers in Eastern semifinal opener All of the city's teams now play downtown, something fans who aren't local appreciate. "Downtown has really built up around (the teams)," said Carrie Davedowski of Lapeer.
"We can make a day trip out of it, there's so much to do. " Davedowski and her sister, Michele Spencer, have been fans of the team for as long as they can remember. Spencer said her husband wore a hat signed by the first coach to lead the team to a championship victory in 1989, Chuck Daly.