Taking a look at what has happened since the Pistons last made the playoffs

The Pistons have a chance to clinch their first playoff berth since the 2008-2009 season. It has been a long season with many ups and downs. We have suffered through the highs and lows together, and all of those hours invested into watching these games can pay off with a win Friday night against the Wizards.

There are so many things that happen every year in sports and society. The amount that has happened in the last 7 years is incredible. Let's take a trip down memory lane.

2009

The Great Recession officially ends on June 1.

Analog television broadcasts end on June 12 and are replaced by digital.

On June 14, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated Stan Van Gundy and the Orlando Magic in five games in the NBA Finals.

Michael Jackson, "the King of Pop," passes away on June 25.

The Pistons select Austin Daye 15th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft on June 25.

Pistons hire John Kuester as head coach after firing Micheal Curry on July 8.

The Pistons sign Charlie Villanueva to a 5-year, $35 million deal and Ben Gordon to a 5-year, $55 million deal in July. Ben Wallace also makes his return to the Motor City.

Microsoft releases Windows 7 on July 22.

Sonya Sotomayor becomes the third woman and first Hispanic to serve on the United States Supreme Court on Aug 8.

Jaycee Lee Duggard is freed from her abductors after 18 years of imprisonment on Aug. 26.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is selected to host the 2016 Summer Olympics on Oct. 2.

The Chicago Cubs filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 12.

The New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies for their 27th World Series title on Nov. 4.

Tiger Woods is involved in an auto accident that begins the exposing of his extramarital affairs on Nov. 27.

2010

Toyota announces a fix for car accelerator problems and recalls cars in the United States on Feb. 1.

The New Orleans Saints capture their first Super Bowl title after defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7.

From Feb. 12-28, the Winter Olympics are held in Vancouver, British Columbia.'

An explosion at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig creates a large oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on Apr. 20.

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in seven games to capture their 16th NBA Championship on June 17.

The Detroit Pistons select Greg Monroe 7th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft on June 24.

LeBron James signs with the Miami Heat after his infamous "The Decision," on July 8.

The BP Oil Spill is stopped for the first time on July 15.

President Obama declares an end to combat operations in Iraq on Aug. 31.

The San Francisco Giants defeat the Texas Rangers on Nov.1 to capture their first World Series title in 56 years.

2011

The Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6

Trevor Bayne became the youngest Daytona 500 winner on Feb. 20 at the age of 20.

Osama Bin Laden was found and killed on May 1.

The Dallas Mavericks captured their first NBA Championship by defeating the Miami Heat in 6 games on June 12.

The Boston Bruins win their first Stanley Cup in 39 years by defeated the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals on June 15.

The Detroit Pistons select Brandon Knight 8th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft on June 23.

The NBA Lockout begins on July 1.

Japan defeats the US women's team 3-2 in the World Cup Final on July 17.

The NFL lockout ends on July 25 after 132 days.

The Detroit Pistons fire John Kuester and hire Lawrence Frank as head coach on July 29.

The NCAA investigates the University of Miami football team after a former booster claims to have provided players with prostitutes, cars and other gifts on Aug. 17.

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake hits Virginia on Aug. 23, which is a rare occurrence.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum opens up in New York on Sept. 11.

Occupy Wall Street begins on Sept. 17.

Steve Jobs passes away at the age of 56 on Oct. 5.

British auto racing driver Dan Wheldon passes away after a 15-car pileup in the final race of the IndyCar season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 16.

The St. Louis Cardinals defeat the Texas Rangers in seven games to win their 11th World Series Title on Oct. 28.

Former Penn State Assistant Coach Jerry Sandusky is arrested on nearly 40 counts of molesting boys over a 15-year period on Nov. 7.

The NBA Lockout ended on Dec. 8.

Robert Griffin III wins the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 10.

2012

The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5.

Whitney Houston is found dead at the age of 48 on Feb. 11.

Trayvon Martin is shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida on Feb. 26.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is suspended for a year and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is suspended indefinitely for the "Bountygate" scandal on March 21.

The University of Kentucky defeats the University of Kansas to win the 2012 men's basketball National Championship on Apr. 2.

The Los Angeles Kings defeat the New Jersey Devils in six games in the Stanley Cup final to capture their first Stanley Cup on June 11.

Former MLB player Roger Clemens is aquitted of all charges in perjury trial on June 18.

The Miami Heat beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games to win the NBA Championship on June 21.

The Detroit Pistons select Andre Drummond 9th overall in the NBA Draft on June 28.

The NCAA announces penalties stemming from the child sex abuse scandal on July 23.

July 27-Aug. 12: The Summer Olympics are held in London, England.

Michael Phelps wins his record 19th medal at the Olympics on July 31.

Neil Armstrong passes away on Aug. 25.

The NHL lockout began on Sept. 16.

The NFL referee lockout ends on Sept. 27.

Felix Baumgartner breaks the world human ascent by balloon record before diving from space on Oct. 14.

Microsoft releases Windows 8 on Oct. 26.

The Detroit Tigers are swept in the World Series by the San Francisco Giants on Oct. 28.

Hurricane Sandy hits New York and New Jersey on Oct. 29.

Walt Disney Company purchases Lucasfilm and the rights to Star Wars and Indiana Jones for $4.05 billion on Oct. 30.

Barack Obama is re-elected as President on Nov. 6.

Hostess Brands, famous for the Twinkie, announces it will file for bankruptcy on Nov. 16.

Johnny Manziel becomes the first Freshman to win the Heisman Trophy on Oct. 8.

The tragic Sandy Hook Elementary shooting happened on Dec. 14.

2013

The 133-day NHL lockout ends on Jan. 6.

No living candidates are elected to the baseball Hall of Fame for the first time since 1996 on Oct. 9.

Famous cyclist Lance Armstrong admits to doping in an interview on Jan. 15.

Hillary Clinton resigns as Secretary of State on Feb. 1.

The Baltimore Ravens defeat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3.

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is convicted of corruption charges on Mar. 11.

The Louisville Cardinals defeat the Michigan Wolverines in the men's basketball National Championship on Apr. 8.

The tragic Boston Marathon bombing occurred on Apr. 15.

The Detroit Pistons hire Maurice Cheeks as head coach on June 10 after firing Lawrence Frank.

The Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win their 2nd straight title on June 20.

The Chicago Blackhawks defeat the Boston Bruins in six games to win the Stanley Cup on June 24.

The Detroit Pistons select Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 8th overall in the NBA Draft on June 27.

Josh Smith signs a 4-year, $54 million deal with the Detroit Pistons on July 11.

The city of Detroit files for Chapter 9 bankruptcy on July 18.

Pistons acquire Brandon Jennings from the Milwaukee Bucks for Brandon Knight, Khris Middleton, and Slava Kravtsov on July 31.

The Boston Red Sox defeat the St. Louis Cardinals to win the World Series on Oct. 30.

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston wins the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 14.

2014

The Seattle Seahawks defeat the Denver Broncos 43-8 to win their first Super Bowl in Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 2.

Feb. 7-23: The Winter Olympics are held in Sochi, Russia.

The Detroit Pistons fired head coach Maurice Cheeks on Feb. 9. John Loyer takes over as interim head coach.

A judge rules that Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional on Mar. 21.

Facebook purchases Oculus, a vitual reality gaming company, on Mar. 26.

Donald Sterling, former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, is banned for life by the NBA on Apr. 29.

The Detroit Pistons hire Stan Van Gundy as head coach and president of basketball operations on May 14.

The Los Angeles Kings defeat the New York Rangers to win the Stanley Cup on June 13.

The San Antonio Spurs defeat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals in five games on June 15.

The Detroit Pistons select Spencer Dinwiddie in the 2nd round with their only pick of the 2014 NBA Draft on June 26.

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart runs over 20-year-old driver Kevin Ward, Jr. during a sprint car race in New York, killing him on Aug. 9.

A policeman in Ferguson, Missouri shoots an unarmed teenager triggering riots and looting on Aug. 9.

Actor Robin Williams commits suicide at the age of 63 on Aug. 11.

Hackers leak nude pictures of many different celebrities on Aug. 31.

The San Francisco Giants defeat the Kansas City Royals in seven games to win the World Series on Oct. 29.

The new One World Trade Center Building in New York opens up on Nov. 3

A snow storm dumps 8 feet of snow in the Buffalo, New York area on Nov. 18.

FBI launches investigation into large hacking attack on Sony Pictures that was thought to be initiated by North Korea on Dec. 2.

The best day ever occurs when Josh Smith is released by the Pistons on Dec. 22.

The Pistons acquire Anthony Tolliver from the Phoenix Suns for Tony Mitchell on Dec. 24.

Sony gives the film "The Interview" a limited release after much controversy around it on Dec. 24.

The United States and United Kingdom officially withdraw troops from Afghanistan on Dec. 28.

2015

ESPN personality Stuart Scott passes away after long battle with cancer on Jan. 4.

The Ohio State Buckeyes defeat the Oregon Ducks to win the first ever College Football Playoff on Jan. 12.

The New England Patriots defeat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1.

Radio Shack files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Feb. 5.

NBC Nightly News suspends host Brian Williams for embellishing stories on the air on Feb. 10..

David Letterman broadcasts his last episode of The Late Show after 22 years on May 20.

American Pharoah wins the Belmont Stakes and becomes the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years on June 6.

Caitlyn Jenner becomes the first transgender to appear on the cover of Vanity Fair on June 9.

The Chicago Blackhawks defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games to win the Stanley Cup on June 15.

The Golden State Warriors defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games to win the NBA Championship on June 16.

The Detroit Pistons select Stanley Johnson with the 8th pick in the draft. They also select Darrun Hilliard in the 2nd round on June 25.

President Obama announces the full re-establishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba on July 1.

Detroit Pistons acquire Marcus Morris, Reggie Bullock and Danny Granger for a 2020 2nd round pick.

The United States women's soccer team defeats Japan 5-2 in the World Cup Final on July 5.

The last episode of The Daily Show airs on Aug. 6.

Stephen Colbert starts as the successor to David Letterman on The Late Show on Sept. 8.

Speaker of the House John Boehner announces that he will step down on Sept. 25.

NASA announces that there is evidence of liquid water flowing on Mars increasing the chance of sustainable life on Sept. 28.

The Kansas City Royals defeat the New York Mets in five games to win the World Series on Nov. 1.

2016

The Detroit Pistons retire Ben Wallace's jersey on Jan. 16, then proceed to beat the Warrior 113-95.

The Detroit Pistons retire Chauncey Billups' jersey on Feb. 10.

The Detroit Pistons trade Brandon Jennings and Ersan Illyasova for Tobias Harris on Feb. 16.

The Detroit Pistons clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2009 on Apr. 8 (hopefully!)

Feel old yet? Obviously, there is a lot more that has happened during this time both good and bad. I tried to keep things mostly positive, but there are a few negative things that were a huge part of the news during the past seven years. If I talked about every single thing that happened, I could turn this into a novel.

It will be great to see the Pistons once agains back in the playoffs. It doesn't matter if they are potential first round fodder. After all of the ups and downs of the last seven years, the fans will take whatever they can get. This young team has a bright future, and this will hopefully be the first of many trips to the playoffs.

Now let's shock the world.