Detroit is driving excessive after snapping its 15-game playoff shedding streak in opposition to the New York Knicks on Monday … however former Piston Ben Wallace tells TMZ Sports activities the present squad is not a bunch of “Dangerous Boys” — they’ve earned their very own id!!

We caught up with Massive Ben out at LAX on Tuesday … and whereas he is aware of there is a ton of basketball left, he believes his previous staff can pull off the first-round upset with the collection tied at 1-1.

“The man’s been taking part in nicely,” he mentioned. “The man’s taking part in exhausting, taking part in collectively. We’re gonna go on the market and simply see what occurs. I feel the fellows are enthusiastic about being on the market, having the ability to be again within the playoffs. We all know anytime attending to the playoffs, something’s potential.”

Massive Ben did not need to examine the present iteration of the squad to the traditional, notoriously powerful “Dangerous Boy” Pistons within the late ’80s and early ’90s or the “New Dangerous Boys” of the early ’00s that introduced championships to Motor Metropolis … however that is in no way a shot at Cade Cunningham and Co.

“I feel what they’ve earned, they’ve earned their very own id. Guys simply going on the market, taking part in exhausting, leaving all of it on the road. You exit and play like that, you earn your individual id then you possibly can name your self whoever you need.”

He credit the job J.B. Bickerstaff has achieved since becoming a member of the franchise … and his title undoubtedly deserved to be in consideration for coach of the 12 months.

“I simply suppose when you get guys going out taking part in exhausting the whole lot occurred good for your entire group,” he mentioned. “Not simply the gamers, however the coaches and all people else.”

Not solely is Wallace having fun with the staff’s run, however he is additionally loving seeing town pumped up about basketball once more after years of distress.

“I feel it may give us an opportunity to see town get behind the staff and rally behind the staff,” Wallace mentioned. “I feel for the primary time that town is absolutely enthusiastic about Pistons basketball once more. That is what it is all about.”