Young Pistons fall short, but their future is bright

4:01 AM ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Detroit Pistons’ season didn’t end on Sunday night because of a lack of heart or toughness. Stan Van Gundy’s young group has those defining qualities in spades, as was evident again in a 100-98 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

The Pistons’ problem on Sunday was the same one it has had throughout the series. They don’t have enough high-level talent or playoff experience to knock off the East’s best team. As sad as the Pistons were to see their season end, the mood both in the locker room and at the podium was one of optimism for the future, not regrets about the past week.

“We took their best punches and we kept swinging back,” Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson said. “The only thing that hurts is we just didn’t get a win and we’re not the team advancing. But I think we were tough. I think we fought. I’m proud of the way we fought all series. I’m proud of the way we played all season, ups and downs, adversity … there’s not a group of guys that I would have wanted to be in the locker room with [more]. It’s just a special group. That’s what hurts so much — that we can’t keep advancing. Not only for myself, but just for the other 14 [players]. Especially the coaches and how hard we worked.”

Van Gundy never doubted that his team would rise to the challenge of the closeout game. He spoke highly of his team’s attitude all week. He said he was “proud” of his group after it was over. Aside from a third-quarter meltdown in Game 2, every game was tight and competitive. Each one came down to a handful of plays that the Cavs made and the Pistons didn’t. It’s an experience his group should be able to learn …

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