Jews in the D
14 | AUGUST 27 • 2020
another championship team.”
He has met and worked with
many former Pistons players
and was drawn to the vision of
creating the best organization
possible, with a focus on mak-
ing the entire city and entire
community better. His focus is
to help the team get better and
more strategic every day.
Mincberg gravitated to the
quality of leadership he wit-
nessed here, includ-
ing Coach Dwayne
Casey; Pistons
Senior Adviser Ed
Stefanski, both of
whom he deeply
respects; and Arn
Tellem, vice chairman of Palace
Sports & Entertainment.
“The people, the opportunity
to be a part of a great commu-
nity like Detroit, was one of the
only situations I’
d take to leave
a great role in Milwaukee,” he
said. “Meeting Arn, for me,
was like interviewing with a
hero from afar. Arn’
s reputation
is impeccable and that’
s for a
reason. He is someone I have
always admired … The oppor-
tunity to work with him and the
entire team is remarkable.”
For Mincberg, the grandson
of Holocaust survivors, tikkun
olam, repairing the world, is of
deep importance to him and his
wife.
“We want to be a part of help-
ing because we have to work
together to get us out of this.
Some of the social justice issues
are even more important than
ever to do your part to make
the community and the world a
better place.
“We are really excited to join
the community,” he added.
“COVID has been very difficult
as we have not been able to see
members of our family for a
long time. My wife is tremen-
dous; she has done a great job
with the kids and we realize
there are a lot of people strug-
gling. I am fortunate to have a
job, and we have been mindful
that many are without a job.”
David and his wife are pas-
sionate about PeacePlayers
International, an organization
which “uses basketball to unite,
educate and inspire young peo-
ple to create a more peaceful
world.”
MOVING ON UP
Another member of the Pistons
organization that Mincberg
now works alongside is Josh
Bartelstein, who was promoted
in July to become the executive
vice president of operations,
chief of staff of the Pistons.
Bartelstein, Mincberg said,
is tremendous — “one of the
brightest people I have ever
been around. He is very young,
but you almost don’
t realize
that because he is so mature, so
smart, so polished and so pas-
sionate. He is really an excep-
tional leader. Someone I have
really enjoyed working with and
am excited to work with him
more.”
Bartelstein, a resident of Royal
Oak, has made a serious impact
on the Pistons organization
since joining the team nearly
five years ago. The Chicago
native was recruited by Tellem
to be his assistant when he
joined the organization.
“I was nervous at first of mov-
ing away from Chicago. I loved
my job and being around my
sisters, parents and grandpar-
ents,” Bartelstein said. “But I saw
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
in Detroit.”
Five years in, he now con-
siders himself a Detroiter and a
Michigander.
Tellem immediately saw a spe-
cial personality in Bartelstein.
“He has a sincere way with peo-
ple and is able to develop imme-
diate respect,” he said. “He has
been like my fourth son. If he is
not in Chicago for the holidays,
he is with me and my family.”
The qualities that Tellem
noticed early have been most
helpful as the Pistons have
moved their operation to the
city of Detroit and opened a pre-
mier practice facility. Bartelstein
is now instrumental in helping
to oversee the NBA G League
undertaking to play at Wayne
State University. “When there
were problems, he was able to
manage them and bring peo-
ple together, which is his great
strength,” Tellem said. “He has
been absolutely instrumental to
me and the team.”
Before COVID, Tellem
and Bartelstein could be seen
strategizing at Phoenicia or
Commonwealth in Birmingham.
Now, they speak five or six times
a day. “Usually my first call in
the morning and my last call in
the evening,” Tellem said.
Bartelstein noted the remark-
It’s an incredible city and has
much to off
er as we work to build
another championship team.
— DAVID MINCBERG
continued from page 12
JERRY ZOLYNSKY
David and Josh
play some one-
on-one.
Arn Tellem