Pistons star guard Cade Cunningham scored a season-high 40 points against the Timberwolves in the second game of a back-to-back on Saturday. His aggressive approach is a good sign for a franchise on the upswing, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic writes. Detroit has won six of its last seven games.
“I’m trying to make the best basketball play available for the team at all times,” said Cunningham, who also had nine assists. “Sometimes confidence can get in the way of that, feeling like I’m in a groove or my shot is the best. But I’m just trying to make sure everybody is in a rhythm and everybody knows what’s going on. Getting everybody involved early. My teammates trust me so much with making plays that it’s a two-way street.”
We have more on the Pistons:
- J.B. Bickerstaff has shown a willingness to challenge officiating calls and the players appreciate having their first-year coach back them up, Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press writes. “You can see his passion on the floor,” big man Isaiah Stewart said. “When you have a coach that’s showing that kind of passion, standing the whole game, encouraging you mid-game, talking to you during the game, that just gives you a different kind of energy. It’s like, ‘OK, I got you coach. I’m going to play hard for you.’” Bickerstaff has used his coaches challenge regularly in recent weeks, including a successful one in the final minute of a close win over the Lakers.
- In the first two games since Jaden Ivey suffered a fractured fibula, Bickerstaff has changed his starting lineup both times. He went with Wendell Moore against Charlotte, then switched to Ausar Thompson against Minnesota. Thompson may have earned a long look as a starter after posting 10 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-best six steals. “He had five steals in the first half. He got deflections, did a good job defensively, helps us play faster,” Bickerstaff said. “That was one of the things versus this team we wanted to do. We knew we needed to play faster and let out athletes kind of run and A.T. did that for us.”
- Detroit can reach the .500 mark with a win over Portland on Monday. The Pistons also have something special planned for Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who was the 2004 Finals Most Valuable Player when the Pistons won their last championship. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame during the offseason and the Pistons will celebrate his Detroit career with a video montage and other events. “I know the atmosphere will be a lot of fun,” Billups said. “They’ve got some things planned for me since I’m going back there for the first time since the Hall of Fame (induction).”
- The Pistons are making several moves regarding their two-way contracts. Get the details here.
I really want to see the pistons actually be a good team again. I think Cade is great, Thompson is really nice, Duren has loads of potential and Tobias nicely fills the gaps.
I think they should make a deal for a young shooter to play the 2 spot. THJ and Beasley both aren’t long term fits and Ivey was nice before his injury but I like him as a sixth man combo guard.
Some good targets would be Anfernee Simons, Donte DiVancenzo, Trey Murphy, Cam Whitmore, Gradey D!ck even Zach LaVine if all else fails.
They have the advantage of being well below the cap and having expiring deals.
Seems like Bickerstaff learned from his Cavs stint. His lack of care and passion was very evident, especially towards the end. Being there for your players and doing everything possible to elevate them emotionally can make up for a lot.
I just think Monty Williams was so tuned out that any energy at all was an upgrade lol
Hah, that’s true. JB does seem more energetic, though. He had moments on the Cavs where he looked like that gif of Byron Scott staring at nothing when down big in the playoffs as coach of the Hornets.
Most Portland fans are hoping Chauncey stays in Detroit since the Blazers play better without him. He is a horrible coach who doesn’t have a clue how develop team chemistry or know how or when to sub for the teams sake.