Order of the Blazing Horse

It's early, but the Detroit Pistons are 4-1 to kick off the season and atop the East. With Jalen Duren sidelined and Ausar still taking it easy on his ankle, two faces have emerged (dare I say from the mud?) to join Cade Cunningham and his quest for the crown: BBall Paul and Daniss "The Moment" Jenkins. But it ain't all sunshine and roses, though, as their lone loss came at the expense of the then winless, still defending champion New York Knicks. Mickey and Harry welcome back friend of the show Doug Berns (@duglust ) to talk about handling overreactions, the turbulence of the Pistons offense, their center depth, creation issues in unit 2, and they must also, unfortunately, address the Ron Holland II regression.

YKTPWA! The Detroit Pistons come back after being down 22 to take the first win of the NBA season over the Boston Celtics. Harry and Mickey talk the new offense and huge contributions from Ausar, Duncan, and Javonte before hopping in the Overreactor™ for some game one hysterics. Then, they close by raffling off a Pistons' jersey to a lucky subscriber because the 313 goal has been achieved (and then some)!

With the Pistons’ young core firmly under contract, the guys link up with Josh and Kwab from The Dime (@thedimenba ) to keep it a buck about who Detroit should add to be a true contender. Unless maybe the Robin to Cade’s Batman is already on the squad? So we’re saying there’s a chance! Then, Harry takes on both Dime Dudes in a rousing 2v1 edition of Who You Talkin’ ‘Bout, Reddit?

The brilliant quadruple-threat writer/comedian/podcaster/Pacers fan, Megan Gailey, returns to the show to talk about what it’s like to be a New York Knicks hater in 2026, expectations for her beloved ‘Cers, the Pistons’ spicy pre-season opener (complete with some kinky John Collins choking action), and the loaded Eastern Conference. Then, they play a game inspired by a joke from Megan’s latest special where they pitch platform ideas for a Charles Barkley Presidential Campaign. Long live the Chuck Administration!

Harry and Mickey are joined by the brilliant Katie Heindl (Basketball Feelings) to talk about the Jalen Duren’s contract standoff, her approach as a sports writer, and some narratives for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Then, because Katie used to write basketball fan faction, she and the guys craft some stories of their own about the Pistons roster. Also, we’re still doing a jersey giveaway, so yeah. Get on dat.

Two Thirds of Detroit's Big 3 are officially in the fold, with Ausar Thompson getting locked up by Detroit on a 5/$155 million deal. However, Jalen Duren's lack of a deal still looms large. Will the Pistons and Trajan Langdon finally explore some sign & trade deals, or will JD accept the deal that offers him the most money? Who's to say, now that weight clauses and multiple alternative team interests have been revealed. Mickey and Harry talk Ausar's path to long-lasting success, his fit with JD, and JD's fit in the Pistons' future.

The Order of the Blazing Horse talk the lingering questions the Pistons face as they head into training camp. Will Jalen Duren be back? Who will start at the 2? What will Ebuka Okorie's role be? Harry and Mickey close out the show by discussing Eastern Jinxes, where they bring up NON-INJURY outcomes could hinder each team in the Eastern Conference's shot at the 'ship.

Well, the question on whether the Clippers/Kawhi/Aspiration scandal or Jalen Duren signing happens first has been settled (good job, Adam Silver! Better job Pablo Torre!). And now, here we are, simply waiting for a JD deal to get done. Mickey and Harry welcome Dan Favale (@HardwoodKnocksNBA ) to the show to discuss the repercussions of a big Duren deal, the Pistons offseason improvements, the balance at the top of the East, and finish on an old school classic, Who You Talkin' Bout, Reddit?

Seriously? ANOTHER Knicks fan? That’s right, Harry and Mickey are stuck in the New York groove, as Doug “Duglust” Berns, the hoop head songbird of our generation once again graces the pod. DB provides his outsider take on the JD free agency saga and plays a game of would you rather built around the latest trade and contract rumors. Then the guys break down which teams they expect to see at the bottom of the stacked Eastern Conference.

Harry and Mickey are once again joined by the wildly talented sports writer and podcaster, Ace Pedraza, who takes a belated victory lap on behalf of the Knicks. Then, they talk the fully loaded teams at the top of the new-look Eastern Conference and in light of the Kawhi ruling, or lack thereof, Harry, Mickey, and Ace pitch some brand partnerships that the Pistons could use to funnel Jalen Duren his well-deserved duckets (and some side deals for Knicks players too)!

Welp, it finally happened, Harry and Mickey sold out. In honor of their exciting new partnership with BetHPR the only fictional sports gambling company specific to the Detroit Pistons, they dive into some prop bets and over/unders that are guaranteed to maybe, quite possibly, get you mad paid, son! Yeah, we’re part of the problem now, but here’s the thing: you either die with less than 300 subscribers, or you pod long enough become the villain. DISCLAIMER: Harry and Mickey are NOT responsible for any financial ruin you may incur from following their really good financial advice.

As the dawg days of the offseason drag on, Harry and Mickey discuss some x-factors that could impact the 2026-2027 season, aka, some Blazing Dark Horses. Also, are people underrating the Pistons? What else is new? To wrap things up, the guys place a rousing game of “Shit We Got Before the JD Extension.”

We all Detroit needs another scorer but the question is: WHEN is the best time to go get him? Harry and Mickey weigh the pros and cons of making a trade ASAP, at the deadline, or next offseason. Then, they talk about potential sign and trades and the unlikely possibility of a Pistons squad without Jalen Duren.

Giddy up, Smoke Ponies, the Order of the Blazing Horse has officially cracked triple digies! To celebrate the 100th episode, and spread the good word of Hooper, Harry and Mickey are pleased to announce a jersey giveaway! Praise Horse! Then, they discuss which players are poised to make a leap before getting into some fan prophecies for the 2026-2027 season. Thank you for being part of the Order!!!

Robbie Bettelon aka Bobby Buckets rejoins the pod to break down first impressions of Detroit's first Summer League game of the year. The fellas catch up on the Pistons’ new acquisitions. They talk numbers: 3pt percentages, salaries, and then they get into potential lineups for the 2027 season. Then, with the fanbase in turmoil over trade and free agency targets, the guys play a summer edition of Who You Talking ‘Bout, Reddit?

Friend of the pod Bryce Simon returns to discuss the Jalen Duren negotiations, Detroit’s new acquisitions in Isaiah Joe and John Collins, Red Velvet’s return, Uncle T’s departure, and offseason moves still to come. Then, they play a game called Running Mates to determine what 2nd options the Pistons should pair with Cade Cunningham 2026-2027 season.

The Pistons have shipped Isaiah Stewart to Memphis. They've traded up in the first round to draft (potentially controversial if you ask the fan base) PG Ebuka Okorie. They traded back into the 2nd round to draft Tall Boy Blocks Ugonna Onyenso. The whole NBA sphere awaits whatever massive move they are seemingly on the verge of making. But the Order waits for no one, and we welcome Paige Otto of @NoCeilingsNBA to the show to tell us about our new guys and how she feels about all the movement on the Pistons front.

As the draft approaches, and the potentiial for a looming Giannis trade (NOT to Detroit), could the Pistons make moves? A rumored 3-team trade would land Tyler Herro in Detroit, so Mickey and Harry discuss the merits of such an acquistion and his fit alongside Cade Cunningham in the backcourt. Does a trade for Herro sound wild? Well, the fellas also pitch a couple WILD trades for the Pistons. They close it out breaking down Trajan Langdon's press conference, and dip their toes into what, precisely, sportsmanship is.

The rumor mill is churning and keeps spitting out the same hot name: Trey Murphy III. Mickey and Harry discuss possible trade packages that could land the Murph man in the 313, as well as talk their interest in other rumored prospects (Kyrie Irving and Jalen Brown), and debate the hierarchy of desired skillsets for incoming players.

It's NBA Draft month and the Pistons got holes to plug. BIG holes. With the looming Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson contracts, questions surrounding Detroit's spacing, ball handling, and specifically their starting 2 and 4 positions, the Order sets their sights on the draft. And who better to help educate us Pistons fans on the best possible options than returning guest and draft scout star, No Ceiling's Tyler Metcalf! He breaks down several prospects, both good and bad for Detroit, and, in honor of J.B. Bickerstaff's snubbing, they close on a game of Gimme Gimme COTY.