Longtime Pistons fans settle in for Round Two of playoffs

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."

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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.

"Detroit is due for a win," Davedowski said. "There's such a vibe, people are ready."

Another lifelong Detroiter, Jonathan Dyer, agreed that the attention the success of the city's teams brought was a good thing.

"(Sports) brings everyone together, no matter what race, ethnicity, religion or whatever it is," said Dyer. "It should be like that all the time, of course, but sports have a way of building bridges."

Dyer said as long as the team was off to a good start, he'd feel good.

"That way, (the players) will be thinking 'We can actually do this,'" Dyer said. "I know getting a couple of wins really helps in a competition like this."

satwood@detroitnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Longtime Pistons fans settle in for Round Two of playoffs