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Tarik Skubal just threw a fastball straight at the heart of Detroit’s basketball loyalty. The Tigers’ ace recently admitted he’s a die-hard Phoenix Suns fan, with Devin Booker as his favorite player. And while that might not sound like a big deal on the surface, Detroit fans are fiercely loyal to their own—and the mere suggestion that their hometown ace supports an out-of-town team – shocking!
Pistons fans have endured a rough stretch over the last decade, watching their team struggle to regain its former dominance. And now, hearing a beloved Tigers pitcher place their team second, even in a sport outside of baseball, could rub some the wrong way.
In a recent ESPN BBTN podcast, Tarik Skubal didn’t hesitate to express his admiration for Booker. “I’m a big Devin Booker fan. I don’t know if Detroit fans will like that, but he’s from Michigan. He’s a Michigan man,” Skubal shared. “I’m a Suns fan. Sorry, Pistons, I love you guys, but that’ll be number two on my list.”
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But the city takes pride in its teams—through thick and thin, fans ride with the Pistons, Lions, Red Wings, and Tigers. So, when a star player openly cheers for an out-of-state franchise, it’s bound to cause a little controversy.
That being said, Skubal isn’t exactly turning his back on Detroit. But it is true that Devin Booker has deep Michigan roots. Born in Grand Rapids, Booker grew up idolizing the state’s basketball culture before heading to Kentucky and eventually becoming an NBA star.
But fans in the Motor City expect their stars to fully embrace not only the game but the sports culture, too. They rooted for Skubal during his emergence as one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers. So, his support for the Suns is making them feel a bit let down.
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The Pistons’ rebuild vs. Booker’s stardom
Tarik Skubals’ preference for Booker and the Suns is quite understandable given the success of Phoenix as a contender in the NBA scene and Booker’s star power in leading them to the finals in 2021, maintaining his superstar status thereafter. Meanwhile, the Pistons’ continuous rebuilding phase has left them lingering at the bottom of the NBA standings for years.
Evidently, Phoenix would seem like an appealing choice for any fan based on thrill and high-stakes basketball action.
But Detroit still hopes that the Pistons will come back. Even though rising stars like Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey display potential for success, they have not been able to turn that promise into victories. It’s understandable that Tarik Skubal prefers backing a winning team, than one that is still trying to establish itself—although it doesn’t make it any easier for dedicated Pistons fans to accept.
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Tbh, this is hardly a scandal—it’s just a fun sports debate. Tarik Skubal isn’t ditching Detroit; he’s just a huge fan of a Michigan-born star who happens to play elsewhere. But if the Pistons ever face the Suns in the NBA Finals (a long shot, but still), Skubal might have some explaining to do in the clubhouse.
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Debate
Is Tarik Skubal's Suns fandom a betrayal to Detroit, or just harmless admiration for Devin Booker?
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Is Tarik Skubal's Suns fandom a betrayal to Detroit, or just harmless admiration for Devin Booker?
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