Two years ago, the Detroit Pistons were in a bad place.
In the 2023-24 season, the Pistons were an NBA-worst 14-68, including an NBA-record-tying 28-game losing streak.
Following that season, the team would fire GM Troy Weaver and head coach Monty Williams.
They were replaced by Trajan Langdon, named President of Basketball Operations, and J.B. Bickerstaff, named head coach.
In his first season in Detroit, Bickerstaff and the Pistons won 44 games and advanced to the playoffs, where they lost to the Knicks in the first round, in a competitive series that went six games.
This season, after 53 games, the Pistons are 40-13 and have the best record in the NBA.
One of the biggest reasons the Pistons are playing at a high level is All-Star guard Cade Cunningham. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, who was named an All-Star starter this season for the first time in his career, is averaging 25.3 points, 5,6 rebounds, and 9.6 assists per game.
Cunningham dealt with losing in 2024, and during All-Star weekend, he explained the mindset he had to help bring change in Detroit.
“Yeah, just staying in the moment, continuing to work on my game,” he said. “I knew who I wanted to be whenever I came into the NBA. So just staying consistent with that and continuing to work, continuing to block out all the noise and just grow and learn from all the mistakes and all the losses, and that allowed us all to grow.”
The Pistons have played at a high level this season, and barring anything unforeseen, Detroit should be the number one seed in the East. However, the second seed in the East, the Boston Celtics, could have Jayson Tatum back from a torn Achilles tendon, and his potential return could boost the Celtics.
Despite the possible return of Tatum, Cunningham remains confident in his team.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously he’s a Hall of Fame-type player, so he’s going to definitely help them a lot,” Cunningham said. “But you know, we’re just going to run our race. We like where we’re at, and we’re going to continue to try to finish our season strong.”
The Pistons return to action on Thursday night, traveling to New York City to face the Knicks.
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