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The Pistons Twitter Bracket Challenge is back for 2020. Featuring the most insightful, ambitious, knowledgeable, multimedia proficient members of the Pistons Twitter family. From diehard fans to blog boys to bonafide beat writers. They’re all represented.
We’re going to unveil the bracket one region at a time, and next up is the Bill Laimbeer Region. James L Edwards, Duncan Smith, Shamike Mohile and Tony Dombrowksi. As the latter would say, “LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.”
The final region unveiled in the bracket features some of the biggest vote getters from last year’s inaugural challenge include Edwards of The Athletic, a young beat writer who is expert at unearthing the wildest, most fascinating Pistons stories. It also includes Detroit Bad Boys’ arch nemesis and Pistons writer/sometimes Heat writer/ editor of Hoops Habit and occasional Star Trek pontificator Duncan Smith.
Dombrowksi brings the passion in his all-Detroit sports videos and insta reactions while Shamike (@shamshammgod) is a go-to source for Pistons knowledge, especially, as the Pistons rack up injuries and he clearly articulates what’s going on and how long they might be sidelined.
Somewhat controversially, @Joe_Truck won the Pistons Twitter Bracket Challenge last year, summoning a hoard of voters. He got a tattoo to celebrate his victory (courtesy of the 12-seeded @Rinnawith2eyes) and actually asked not to be included this year. I guess he thought there was nowhere to go but down. We’ll see if that’s true!
Bill Laimbeer Region
1. @JLEdwardsIII vs. 16. @RyanKing_52
Submission about @JLEdwardsIII:
“Hands down the best writer covering the Pistons.”
2. @DuncanSmithNBA vs. 15. @Charlottean28
Submission about @DuncanSmithNBA:
“Another really funny personality, killed baby yoda so that’s pretty impressive and deserving of a high seed if you ask me.”
3. @Shamshammgod vs. 14. @TriolaNBA
Submission on behalf of @shamshammgod:
He’s funny. He’s insightful. He’s smart. He’s handsome. He knows about basketball. He is a doctor.
4. @tonydombrowski vs. 13. @D_schandy24
Submission on healf of @D_schandy24:
“He loves the Pistons more than anyone I know. Honestly, it‚Äôs annoying how much he loves them. But he has an intense passion for the Pistons and I know he deserves it with how much work he has put in with his podcast and the relationships he has made through the Pistons even through Twitter!!”
5. @DarkoVsEveryone vs. 12. @Rinnawith2eyes
Submission on behalf of @Rinawith2eyes:
“Creates GIFs during games and has good perspective on what’s going on with the team. He’s legit.”
6. @ajohnsonNBA vs. 11. @drummondfp
Submission on behalf of @drummondfp:
“She has good posts. Amazing content.”
7. @DetroitKoolAid vs. 10. @PistonsPlay
8. @Joe_Truck vs.@the_fernantula
Submission on behalf of @Joe_Truck:
“He’s the defending champion and must be forced to defend his title.”
Vote via Twitter
Putting together a 64-seed bracket is a bizarre exercise, but as I step back after all the madness this might be my favorite region. It starts with @TheAthleticDET's amazing @JLEdwardsIII going against superfan @RyanKing_52
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) April 12, 2020
Next is the man who was runner-up in last year's contest. He's smart, tireless and shockingly tall in person. It's @DuncanSmithNBA going against @Charlottean28 who has the knowledge and the receipts when it comes to Pistons history.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) April 12, 2020
It's @shamshammgod, a staple of #PistonsTwitter. He writes and has a podcast to boot. He's going against a young writer over at @PistonPowered @TriolaNBA. Can Sham be stopped?
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) April 12, 2020
Let's Goooooooo! It's @tonydombrowski who always brings the passion online against podcaster and Pistons fan @D_Schandy24. This one should be interesting.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) April 12, 2020
This is a fan battle. @DarkoVsEveryone had bigtime support in the ballot entries while @riinawith2eyes has been a solid follow for several years and has some awesome Pistons tatttoos to show for it. Including inking last year's champion.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) April 12, 2020
The editor of @PalaceOfPistons @AJohnsonNBA continues to grow his fanbase and the reach and skills of his site and staff. He'll be facing off against a Pistons superfan in @drummondfp.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) April 12, 2020
Two longtime Pistons fan accounts who have held it down for years face off as @DetroitKoolAid goes up against @PistonsPlay. Who do you got?
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) April 12, 2020
and FINALLY, the last matchup in the last bracket is last year's champion @Joe_Truck. He didn't even want to be included in this bracket but titles must be defended. But I gave him a lower seed as a compromise. He's going up against fellow DBB writer and podcaster @THE_FERNANTULA
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) April 12, 2020