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