Detroit Pistons: Top 10 moments from 2017-18 NBA season

4. Van Gundy gets win No. 500

Despite the eventual parting of ways with head coach Stan Van Gundy, the future Hall of Fame coach achieved some milestones along the way. Taking the Pistons to the playoffs in one of four seasons on the job certainly did not help, and only finishing as high as eighth in the Eastern Conference expedited the departure.

Van Gundy did make significant strides by developing Tobias Harris, Stanley Johnson and also big man Andre Drummond in his tenure. Despite the up-and-down tumultuous season riddled with injuries, Van Gundy reached an important milestone on Dec. 15 by recording his 500th win. 

The Pistons fought off a hungry Pacers squad to give Van Gundy win No. 500 of his career and he became the sixth active coach to reach that milestone. Van Gundy boasts an overall record of (523-384) coaching three different clubs in his 12 seasons as a head coach, with stints in Miami, Orlando and Detroit.

Despite the quality change in the front office operations and the development of young talent in Motown, the front office brass could not get past the failed expectations of the Detroit Pistons in 2017-18 and Van Gundy got the ax. Despite the termination, Van Gundy set Dwane Casey up fairly well for his debut in 2018-19.

With 500-plus wins under his belt and his proven track record of development and winning ways, Van Gundy won’t be unemployed long. Look for a team to secure his services quickly when the NBA head coaching carousel starts spinning again.