Not only is Cade Cunningham good for the Pistons, but he is also good for the NBA.
In the nineties, the Detroit Pistons had Moxy, also known as Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, and Joe Dumars—names that are forever embedded with the franchise. After the “Bad Boys” era ended, the Detroit Pistons disappeared into the NBA stratosphere for quite some time.
In the early 2000s, a team comprised of Ben Wallace, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Rasheed Wallace brought some allure back to Detroit and beat the mighty Los Angeles Lakers led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. However, upon dismantling that team, the Detroit Pistons again fell into the NBA stratosphere.
Last season, the Detroit Pistons fans wore bags on their heads. Partially, it was to display a message of “Sell the Team” and partially to hide the agony of what was happening on the court. The Detroit Pistons had the NBA’s worst record and only fourteen wins. Opposing teams saw the Pistons on the schedule and mentally took nights off. They didn’t take them seriously, and the fans didn’t take them seriously, either.
Questions of what the owner, Tom Gores, cared about streamed through the NBA circles. A billionaire who, in most people’s views, only cared about the bottom line. Not the Pistons players. Not Piston’s fans. Seemingly, no one. The head coach, Monty Williams, didn’t seem to have any answers either. A revered head coach who had led the Phoenix Suns to the Finals had zero answers. The Pistons were in a state of disarray.
Fast-forward to this season and the Detroit Pistons have tripled their total wins from last year. At 42 wins on the season, excitement surrounds the Pistons again. A lot of things can point to the turnaround, such as J. B. Bickerstaff, the new head coach, and the additions of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Tobias Harris. There has been a change in attitude and a change in culture.
But enough credit cannot be given to their star, Cade Cunningham. Although he is sidelined with a calf injury, Cade Cunningham has been one of the league’s biggest stars this season. He was elected to his first All-Star team, which is an accomplishment on its own. One of the things that continues to be underrated is Cade Cunningham, who has the characteristics of past Pistons stars. He loves his teammates.
This was never more apparent than the presser after Tim Hardaway’s 32 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which was a win for the Pistons. But there is no love lost for his opponents. Watch any game against the Houston Rockets and Jalen Green, and the competitiveness of the feud reaches a boiling point. The team had some click-worthy moments this season. Just glance at the highlights of the Golden State Warriors game from early March. Few teams razzle Stephen Curry up and live to tell the tale. Even though the Pistons lost, they still get credit for the ambitiousness of riling Stephen Curry up. Cade Cunningham, being the leader of the team, starts with him.
Rarely does Cunningham seem too high or too low for the moment. His demeanor doesn’t change. He knew, last season, that times were rough. In the current age of players, malcontent could have spread through the NBA airwaves. He could have managed to find a way to extract himself from the situation. He could have admonished every person who said something bad about the Pistons. He could have written a letter about how he wanted to be traded. He could have said that Detroit wasn’t a place that could ever win. But Cade Cunningham did none of those things. He stayed.
Now, the Pistons sit fifth in the Eastern Conference. They are no longer the joke of the league, and the fans aren’t wearing bags over their heads. The season has been quite a turnaround. A few weeks ago, Cade Cunningham hit the game-winner against the Miami Heat in Miami. His teammates all surrounded him and congratulated him. Cade Cunningham was visibly vocal about how he felt on the court. It will undoubtedly be one of the moments that adds to Cade’s living legend.
The Detroit Pistons have turned things around no matter what happens in the playoffs. They are not perfect by any means, and where they line up with the basketball elite is still up for discussion. Can they compete in a seven-game series against the Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers? Yes. Can they beat them in a seven-game series? That is still up for debate. Can they compete in a series against the Indiana Pacers? Yes. Can that be one of the most entertaining series of the playoffs?
Imagine a Cade Cunningham game-winning shot in the playoffs. Imagine it in game seven.
The NBA is better when historic franchises like the Detroit Pistons are good. The NBA desperately needs someone who will be the face of the league. LeBron James will eventually meet Father Time. Stephen Curry will eventually shoot his last three-point shot. The tides will turn, and the league will need someone to take the helm. Cade Cunningham can be that person.
He doesn’t doubt his ability. No moment is too big for him. When he talks, people see a player who is measured and balanced. He has that competitive edge and confidence that doesn’t mirror an ego. The Detroit Pistons are back.
Cade Cunningham is what the league needs.
