The Detroit Pistons found themselves in the spotlight due to the altercation involving Isaiah Stewart and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. While most Pistons headlines focus in on James' ejection against Detroit, they have actually low-key strung together some good games over the past week.

Prior to the scuffle that broke out at Little Caesars Arena, the Pistons had established a double-digit lead over the Lakers and even went into the fourth quarter with 99-84 lead. However, the LeBron-less Lakers rallied, outscoring the Pistons by 20 points in the final period and completed a come-from-behind road victory over Detroit. Two days later, the Pistons once again had another championship hopeful in the Miami Heat by the ropes, entering the fourth with 9-point cushion and holding the Heat to just 67 points by the end of the third. Unfortunately, Detroit's youth showed once again and Miami was able to avoid the upset en route to a 33-16 fourth quarter.

Detroit is by no means going to make the playoffs and will likely find themselves in the lottery when the 2021-22 season is all said and done. Nonetheless, if their play this past week, especially over the last couple of games, is any indication, perhaps there may be something special brewing in Detroit. Here are three reasons why Pistons Nation should be excited for their franchise's outlook in the near future.

1. They showed they can take it to the better teams in the league

Though you could see the losses to the Lakers and Heat as Detroit choke jobs, you still can't ignore the fact that for three quarters, the Pistons were able to bring it against two teams with title aspirations. A young squad like Detroit will have a tough time closing out these more veteran teams and it's clear that their inexperience got the better of them when the games got tight and the pressure mounted in the final quarter.

Detroit led by as much as 17 points against Los Angeles and even did so with LeBron James still on the floor for the Purple and Gold. Unfortunately, they couldn't take advantage of James' ejection and the Lakers flexed their experience, while Detroit succumbed to its youth. Deja vu occurred against the Heat on Tuesday as Miami needed just four minutes to erase a 9-point Pistons lead at the end of the third quarter. Miami ended up winning by eight.

While the outcome of both the Lakers and Heat games did not reflect a W on the win-loss column, the Pistons should feel good for the way they played. They played with grit and showed for majority of the game that they weren't going to get intimidated by the stronger teams in the league. A young up-and-coming squad could still afford these moral victories which should be an important part of their growth and maturation process.

2. They're already playing the right way

For a young team like Detroit, this team is already showing flashes of playing the right way. Head coach Dwane Casey has so far done a great job instilling a mindset of ball movement within his team. This is what helped them establish the big leads against the Lakers and Heat and is also what got them back in the game against the Golden State Warriors.

Detroit is near the bottom of the league in terms of assists. But this is mostly as a result of guys just not making shots or not taking advantage of open opportunities. In fact, per NBA.com, the Pistons are second in the NBA in passes made, just slightly below the Warriors, currently the team with the best record in the league. They also rank in the top 10 in assist percentage and potential assists.

Eventually, Detroit's pass-heavy offense should translate into more points on the board. Those shots may not be falling right now. But at least the habits are already being established.

3. Cade Cunningham is showing why he's the no. 1 pick

Detroit's prized no. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham struggled mightily to begin his NBA career. After missing the first four games of the season due to an ankle injury, Cunningham bricked the first 14 threes of his career and shot a putrid 17.9 percent from the field through his first three NBA games. Many were quick to label the Oklahoma State standout a bust.

But over these last couple of weeks, the 6-foot-8 guard is slowly making his naysayers eat their words. Cunningham has had two 20-point outings this November and notched his first career triple-double against the Lakers. He is showing great poise with the ball in his hands for the Pistons and has a great knack of creating shots for his teammates.

Cunningham, however, is still having some troubles with his shooting. But he should be able to fix that as the season goes along. Remember, last year's no. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards also had the same shooting woes to begin his career. Cunningham's shot hasn't come along for the ride just yet. But when it does, the Pistons should be a team to look out for in the near future led by their special young star.