Cade Cunningham shines amid the Pistons’ ongoing inconsistency

On By Littum

Phoenix – The Detroit Pistons close out the calendar year on a four-game trip out west. They will begin their grueling schedule Saturday night against the Phoenix Suns, and each of their next three games will be against some of the league’s most prominent teams.

Through 28 games, Detroit has shown signs of improvement over last season. However, the Pistons still have a ways to go before their resurgence leads the franchise back to relevance.

News: Stamps continue to show signs of inconsistency with loss to Jazz

Views: No one expected the Pistons to contend for an NBA championship this season, but the consensus expected a resurgence. At times, the Pistons have proven to be a team on the cusp of Play-In contention. However, there are other moments when the franchise seems stuck in a precipice.

Thursday’s 126-119 loss to the Utah Jazz might have been the Pistons’ most embarrassing defeat. They fell to a tanking team with the league’s third-worst record, 6-20. Prior to their win at Little Caesars Arena, the Jazz had lost three straight games by an average of 29.6 points.

For a team with postseason aspirations, the Pistons’ loss felt like a missed opportunity, highlighting their continued inconsistency. They started the game poorly, and while their offense improved after a terrible first quarter, the defense continued to struggle.

Every aspect Detroit struggled with was a 180-degree turnaround from their impressive overtime win against the Miami Heat three days earlier. If the Pistons can fix their inconsistencies, they will be in prime position to end their five-year playoff drought.

News: Voting begins for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. Could Cade Cunningham receive his first pick?

Views: Cade Cunningham has played at an All-Star level all season. The former no. 1 pick is averaging 23.9 points on 45.7% shooting, 38.6% 3-point shooting, 9.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds – all career highs.

In December, Cunningham set a career high in assists on three occasions. His best was 18 in the Pistons’ win against the Heat. His performance also included 20 points and 11 rebounds, giving him his sixth triple-double.

From an individual standpoint, Cunningham has proven that he belongs among the league’s best players in San Francisco. However, there is a sense that the Pistons’ inconsistencies could result in Cunningham missing out on the All-Star performance.

Most players who get an All-Star nod play for teams that have posted respectable records in their conferences, with a winning percentage of .500 or better. Although Detroit has made progress this season with a slight resurgence, the Pistons currently sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with an 11-17 record. If it weren’t for the Pistons’ sub-.500 record, Cunningham would also be in line for his first All-NBA award.

Given his career accomplishments during his third year, Cunningham could have accomplished both feats by the middle of the 2023-24 season. However, the league would have had a hard time justifying assigning him to a team that finished the season 14-68.

News: Isaiah Stewart is out with a hyperextended left knee

Views: The Pistons suffered a significant loss during their overtime win against the Heat. Early in the second quarter, Isaiah Stewart left the game due to a hyperextended left knee. Coach JB Bickerstaff has not provided an update on Stewart’s pending return. However, the typical recovery time is two to four weeks.

If Stewart’s injury sidelines him for an extended period, his absence will leave a significant void. Headlined by Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, the Pistons will play against some of the league’s best big men over the next several games. They could be without the physicality Stewart brings to both ends, especially on defense.

Using his vocal and communication skills as a vocal leader, Stewart has become Detroit’s defensive anchor. He has also helped the Pistons protect the paint as a post defender. His average of 1.3 blocks ranks ninth in the league among reserve players.

News: Bobi Klintman returns from injury and plays in the G League

Views: After suffering a right calf contusion during the first week of training camp, Bobi Klintman has returned to action. The Pistons assigned Klintman to the G League on Dec. 14, and the rookie forward has since played two games with the Motor City Cruise.

Klintman’s G League assignment will be crucial to his continued development. He missed all of training camp and the preseason as he recovered from an injured calf. During his absence, Klintman spent most of his time working on his shooting form while standing in a stationary position. This was the only movement the second-round prospect was able to make due to the continuous fluid that continued to develop in his injured calf.

Klintman made his debut Monday during Cruise’s 120-118 loss to the Grand Rapids Gold. He scored eight points and grabbed two rebounds in 18 minutes before fouling out. Late in the fourth quarter, Klintman completed a crossover that left his defender on the floor. He then finished the game with a two-handed dunk. Klintman is currently averaging 8.0 points while shooting 47.3% and 2.0 rebounds.

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