DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons are riding a wave as the NBA All-Star festivities approach.
The 22-21 Pistons are led by former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham. His squad is currently one game out of the NBA Play-In Tournament at the No. 7 seed.
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Motor Cade is averaging a career-high 24.5 points per game this season and is third in the NBA in assists per game with 9.3.
Cunningham also ranked third in the National Basketball Association in triple-doubles during the 2024-25 season with seven. And with him taking the massive step he did, the Pistons are currently eight wins above last season’s total of 14 games.
--> Cunningham scores 32 points to lead the Pistons over the Rockets 107-96
After the Pistons took down the Houston Rockets 107-96, where Cunningham led all scorers with 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, the future all-star guard stopped Inside the NBA on TNT to chat about his and his team’s success.
As the Pistons were in town to play the Atlanta Hawks, Cunningham said the vibes on the team were great right now.
“The vibes are great right now as we’re winning games, playing good basketball, and playing hard every night,” said Cunningham. “We’re playing complimentary, and it feels good, but we have a lot more season to go and a lot more games to play.”
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal acknowledged Cunningham’s greatness, saying during the discussion that the four-year guard was an all-star.
O’Neal: “You’re an all-star. You’re playing fabulous, but I would like to know, ‘What is your definition of an all-star?’ If I had a vote, I would vote for you.”
Cunningham: “I imagine it’s being one of the top 24 players in the NBA. That’s how I see it. Being top of the league, you know, guys putting on performances every night that they play. I think that’s what you want to see in an all-star.”
Future Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame center Candace Parker mentioned how the game was slowing down for Motor Cade, how players who reach year three or four of their young career start playing at their own pace by finding their groove, and how his game has changed from being the former No. 1 overall pick to now.
Cunningham said, “It’s definitely slowed down because of experience, and the games played have allowed me to experiment. I’ve failed a bunch of times, and all those times helped me with the mentality that I have now and the mindset of knowing that I have to go get it every night. But, it’s different.”
Cunningham continued:
“Early on, you’re just trying to figure out things as they were just unorganized. Just trying to figure out my footing and what worked for me, but now I’m starting to figure out my groove, and my teammates have helped me a lot with that.”
Cunningham and his teammates are in the right groove as they sit in the seventh spot of the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
But they’re not aiming to make the Play-In Tournament. They want to finish in the top six and secure a playoff spot by the end of the season.
“I want the sixth spot for sure,” Cunningham said. “I want to lock in a playoff series. I want to be above the sixth seed.”
The NBA ALL-Star Fan Voting has ended as of Jan. 21, 2025, but you can get a look at Cunningham and his Pistons as they take on the Hawks Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. EST inside State Farm Arena, and you be the judge if he deserves to be an all-star this year.
“Maybe they haven’t watched us yet as we don’t have TV games, but if you do get the opportunity to get the NBA League Pass, check us out, and I could audition for you there.
“But, more than anything, I think my team is playing at a hight level. We’re winning games; we’re competing for the playoffs, and that’s what everybody wanted for the Pistons.
We wanted growth and I think our team is doing better and better and I’m trying to lead them.”
Cade Cunningham on Inside the NBA on TNT
