Want to watch the Knicks take on the Pistons in Detroit? Better check your zip code first. In a bold and buzzworthy move ahead of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons have introduced a geo-fencing restriction on ticket sales for their home games against the New York Knicks. This means if your credit card billing address isn’t from Michigan, certain parts of Ohio, Indiana, or Ontario, Canada—you’re not getting in.

It sounds wild, but the Pistons insist it’s not about keeping Knicks fans out. The idea is to stop ticket brokers from scooping up tons of seats and flipping them for outrageous prices—and to curb shady resale scams that pop up every postseason. So, while it may ruffle a few feathers, the team sees it as a way to protect real fans and preserve the playoff vibe at Little Caesars Arena.

Upon hearing this news, Carmelo Anthony, on his 7 PM In Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony podcast, said, “Yeah, Detroit man, look, I’m supposed to be grandfathered in. You understand? So allow me to come to the city, man, allow me and my friends to come to the city and support playing dirty with the ticket….let me in the city man, i got I got you know I got one of them area codes too, man.”

Playfully suggesting the grandfather clause, which refers to old laws applying in place of new laws to the said grandfather. Asking to be let into the game with a ticket amid the growing confusion.

Context? Let me help you. Carmelo Anthony and the Pistons have a history that traces back to almost two decades. Yes. Two decades! It all began with the draft in 2003. 

Carmelo Anthony’s history with the Detroit Pistons

Back in the 2003 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons held the No. 2 overall pick—prime real estate in one of the most stacked draft classes ever. With Carmelo Anthony fresh off leading Syracuse to a national championship, many thought he was the obvious choice. The Pistons needed a scoring wing, and Melo looked like a perfect fit.

But instead, Detroit went with Darko Miličić, a raw 7-footer from Serbia. That move shocked a lot of people, and in hindsight, it’s now seen as one of the biggest draft blunders in NBA history. Especially since Melo went third to Denver and went on to have a Hall of Fame-caliber career.

Carmelo has said in multiple interviews that the Pistons actually promised they were going to take him. He was ready. Even Rip Hamilton, one of Detroit’s key players at the time, thought Melo was joining the squad. So when they passed on him? Total curveball.

But Melo seems over it, stating, “I’m at peace, that doesn’t bother me no more; that idea that you’re a loser if you don’t win a championship. For me, I’ve won. I won back in 2003, the night I shook David Stern’s hand on that [draft] stage.”

Now, Detroit still won the title in 2004, and that team was stacked with defense and chemistry. But Darko barely played, and many fans and analysts believe that if the Pistons had picked Melo, they could’ve extended their dominance.

Imagine that: Melo’s scoring paired with the Pistons’ elite defense? That could’ve been a dynasty. Instead, it’s one of those big “what ifs” in NBA history, one decision that could’ve changed everything. But instead, he’s one of the many fans who’s geo-fenced. Fate is unpredictable, is it not?