There’s a resurgence in Motown: Detroit Basketball is back
The Detroit Pistons have very easily been one of the best teams in basketball this NBA season. The real question is truly why? Why have they been so good? They didn’t make any big name trades, or sign any big name free agents. So truly, why have they made this big of a leap in such little time? What has brought back Detroit Basketball.
To me there is a very big reason as to why this is true, and it has been obvious for many people in Detroit but the rest of the NBA is just now realizing how truly good Cade Cunningham is. He has been by far one of the best players in the league. This season has averaged 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 9.7 assists. This is a big jump, and has led to the Pistons being one of the best teams in the league. He has become a MVP Candidate, and in my opinion, he should be the front runner. Cade has transformed a team from bottom of the league… into 2 years becoming the top team in the league. To me what else truly screams “Most Valuable Player”? I think that completely shows it, and to me the biggest game this season that has been broadcast was the game against the Knicks where Cade didn’t have Jalen Duren, or Isiah Stewart, 2 key defensive players and he went ahead and dropped 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 13 assists. This was one of the biggest games for Cade, especially going into Madison Square Garden, and being able to put up an impressive performance against one of the best teams in the eastern conference, and while all without his “Robin” in Jalen Duren. Now Cunningham isn’t the only person on the pistons I want to highlight, It’s truly a team effort.
Jalen Duren, has made a massive leap leading to him being an all star, and being a potential Most Improved Player of the year. This also includes the fact that they dealt away Jaden Ivey, at the deadline, sadly not getting a whole lot back, but I think this did work out as we got more shooters and at least one draft pick. I think overall that deal helped towards the success of this team. I also think Daniss Jenkins has been an amazing player in a limited role, and I think he will get an extension for his play. Another player that has done really well is Duncan Robinson, as he looks great for the shooting that the Pistons needed, and he has fit his role very well. The other 2 people I want to speak on are the defensive anchors in Isaiah Stewart, as well as Ausar Thompson. These 2 are really what makes this team get the stops, and helps with the biggest need from last year, which was getting stopped, and the amount of times that these stops truly has helped is being put on display. These guys might not fill the stat sheet but they truly have an impact on this team, and they have become essential pieces to them.
The one big thing about this team is that they have the next man up mentality, and I think that is exactly what this team needs, and I truly believe that Bickerstaff is putting this system in, and having them get used to being ready when whatever player is called upon. This truly shows how good the coaching has been as well. To be honest, I questioned the Bickerstaff hiring but he proved me very wrong, and I’m so happy he did. This team has been one of the best so far in Pistons history, and the fact that they are still young makes the team seem like it can only grow and be better. The next big step will see how they can fare in the playoffs after having their first appearance last year. I can’t wait to watch this team, and I hope that they keep on climbing up and up to the limit of how good they can be.
Truly as a Pistons fan, I can’t wait to see what this team can do this year. I think that Cade N’Em will be fun to see how far they can get. This team has surpassed their “limits” but yet they will continue to climb and get better throughout the season. This Pistons team has proved how good they are, and I look forward to what they can do.
