A backcourt player for the New York Knicks, Jalen Brunson, passed the sphere to Karl-Anthony Towns, only to have it returned to him. He then attempted a 3-point shot, which unfortunately bounced off the lower right edge of the backboard.
This unsuccessful attempt sealed the Detroit Pistons’ victory in Game 2 of their 2025 Eastern Conference first-round playoff series — marking their first triumph in the postseason since 2008.
Nearly 7,000 miles away, in Seoul, South Korea, Tom Hur positioned his mobile device and initiated recording as the game neared its conclusion. Dressed in a specially designed Pistons jersey, he exclaimed, “Let’s go!” as soon as the final buzzer sounded.
The subsequent events took him by surprise. He was overcome with emotion and began to shed tears.
“I was deeply moved as a flood of memories resurfaced. I recalled all the years of hardship and the playful mockery from my friends,” Hur shared with ESPN during a telephone interview. “It felt like a reward, an acknowledgment of my unwavering support for the Pistons. It’s the kind of emotional experience that only sports can provide.”
The reaction quickly spread across the internet, accumulating over 3 million views on X. Even Hur’s colleagues at the financial institution where he is employed took notice, questioning him, “Is that really you?” The Pistons responded with “WE DID IT” on the post, and Isiah Thomas, a Pistons legend and two-time NBA champion, shared it on his Instagram story.
In in tears man. DETROIT BASKETBALL!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/P1wqK8yen1
— Tom Hur (@KoreaPistonsFan) April 22, 2025
That event cemented Hur’s self-proclaimed identity, as displayed in his social media profiles: “#1 Detroit Pistons Fan from South Korea.” Despite the games frequently commencing around 9 a.m. local time, he has mastered the challenge that many international NBA enthusiasts encounter: maintaining a strong connection with a team situated thousands of miles away and across numerous time zones.
His deep affection for the city of Detroit and its basketball team has led to unforgettable interactions with the franchise. Following his visit to Detroit in 2023, the Pistons — who are scheduled to compete against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday (5 p.m. ET on ESPN) — gifted him an autographed poster of Cade Cunningham and a jersey bearing the star guard’s name. In celebration of world basketball day, Hur received a personalized jersey from the team, featuring the South Korean national flag and his name on the back.
During his formative years, Hur would request his parents to record games so he could view them upon returning home from school. Nowadays, his work schedule begins at 10 a.m. local time, necessitating a slightly adjusted routine.
“I am able to catch a significant portion of the first half, and I occasionally take ‘bathroom breaks,’ particularly during critical moments …” he chuckled. “Additionally, I actively participate in numerous group chats and engage on Twitter and Instagram. Consequently, I remain fully informed about the unfolding events, even if I cannot witness them in real time.”
Hur acknowledged that his path to becoming a Pistons fan is “quite unconventional.” While playing NBA Live in the mid-2000s, a friend chose the Los Angeles Lakers and suggested that Hur select Detroit to ensure a balanced competition.
His passion for the team intensified in 2010, when his preferred player, Tracy McGrady, joined the Pistons for the season. It was at that point that Hur resolved that “this team will be my team forever.”
Hur mentioned that he is aware of other South Korean fans who started following the Pistons during the “Bad Boys” era of the late 1980s and early 1990s, or during the Grant Hill era of the mid-to-late 1990s. According to his observations, South Korean fans tend to gravitate towards teams in larger markets or those with the most impressive records.
“The Pistons were neither of those, so we don’t have a huge influx of young fans. But now we’re getting some fans,” Hur said. “I’m getting some messages from other Korean NBA fans that are like, ‘Hey, should I become a Pistons fan?’ And that’s the kind of message I love.”
Hur created his X account in September 2021 and has since become an active participant in the Pistons’ online community. He frequently posts updates during games and shares videos of himself exclaiming, “Deeeeetroit basketball!” Even Isaiah Stewart’s official account followed him back.
He traveled to Detroit for a three-day visit in November 2023 to attend Pistons games in person, coinciding with their NBA record 28-game losing streak. Being in Detroit with a friend for just three nights meant he wasn’t “really able to feel the city,” Hur said. In May, he decided to plan a second trip, this time by himself, for approximately eight days, ensuring that nothing would prevent him from fully experiencing Detroit, including its culinary offerings. He posted on X requesting recommendations for the best Detroit pizza establishments and received hundreds of responses.
After arriving at 10 p.m. ET on Oct. 24, he visited Sweetwater Tavern, a well-known local restaurant. He dined at Harry’s Detroit Bar & Grill both before and after the Pistons’ home opener. Detroit-style pizza, predictably, was a recurring theme.
He estimated that he gained around 11 pounds in 10 days.
“I ate a lot. And I ate even more than I usually eat because I got hundreds of recommendations of restaurants,” Hur said. “So I was only there for a few days; I really wanted to try out something.”
He also chartered a helicopter ride and shared a video of himself yelling, “Detroit Basketball!” with Little Caesar’s Arena visible in the background. The Pistons playfully responded with “DEEETROIT BASKETBALL.”
Shouting #DetroitBasketball over LCA. Yes, you read that right! pic.twitter.com/Y1OsUJ7AyF
— Tom Hur (@KoreaPistonsFan) October 25, 2025
Prior to the home opener, owner Tom Gores surprised Hur with a shopping spree at the team store after learning about Hur’s story, as confirmed by the Pistons to ESPN.
Hur acquired items such as a T-shirt with the inscription “I was a Pistons fan before it was cool” and a jersey of Ron Holland II.
“I’m really excited. That’s pretty amazing. I think it’s incredible that he’s following us the way he does, and once we found out about it, we wanted to make sure we took care of him,” Gores stated during a pregame news conference. “He’s all-in with the Pistons. I think what is exciting as well as what’s happening with Detroit, our franchise, with the Pistons, in the vibe that’s happening. It’s exciting for Detroit.”
Players and team personnel also took notice of Hur. Cunningham recognized him, while Stewart agreed to pose for a photograph with him. Trajan Langdon, the president of basketball operations, also had the opportunity to meet him.
The trip generated increased recognition for Hur, as his follower count on X surged from approximately 6,000 to just under 20,000. Detroit rapper Big Sean commented, “My guy!” on one of his posts. Hur’s family even inquired whether he was contemplating relocating to Detroit. He responded, “If I could find a way. I really might,” causing his mother some concern.
Hur’s unwavering support has captivated the city. He attended a Red Wings game, and the Lions extended an invitation for him to attend one of their games. A police officer even requested a selfie with him. The South Korean national attributed the heightened attention to a straightforward reason.
“They recognize that my affection for the Pistons and Detroit is authentic. It’s not artificial in any way,” he clarified. “They are aware of its sincerity because I have been a supporter for such an extended period.”
All that remained was a single playoff victory to demonstrate it.
