This Is Not The Same Detroit Pistons…

This Is Not The Same Detroit Pistons…

K Cuttingham is already a top 10 player in the league. The ones that’s ahead of him, they see him coming right now. And when you when I think about Kade, he’s giving me Luca Donic, LeBron James vibes, right? That perimeter player that’s 68, strong, physical, could score at all levels, and then make guys around him better. Coach, most people thought the Detroit Pistons would progress this season. Maybe sneak into a low playoff seed. Maybe a fun young team that gave contenders a headache. Cage stops topside, fires for three and it’s through. Count that baby and a foul. After all, they just made the playoffs for the first time in years and even pushed the Knicks harder than anyone expected. But absolutely nobody expected this. 13 straight wins, number one in the East, not promising, not up and coming, just flat out better than everyone they’ve played. The Pistons have shattered every preseason expectation. This is a team rewriting the entire Eastern Conference in real time. Now, let’s talk about it. One of the most storied franchises in basketball with three championships to their name, the Detroit Pistons entered the 24-25 season, coming off the worst record in the league. They finished 14 and 68, suffered a 28game losing streak, missed the postseason for the fifth straight year, and looked completely stuck in NBA purgatory. It genuinely felt like rock bottom. But then something unbelievable happened. The Pistons stunned the league by finishing 44 and 38, good for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. In the process, they became the first team in NBA history to triple their win total from a full 82game season, jumping from 14 wins in 23-24 to 44 wins in 24-25. A massive leap. One of the biggest one-year turnarounds in both franchise and NBA history. A team that had been a leaguewide punchline just a couple of seasons ago suddenly pushed for 50 wins and played competitive basketball from October to April. For the first time in more than a decade, there was real hope and excitement in the Motor City. But that hope came with limits. While Detroit was one of the best surprises in the NBA last season, most people believe they still had a long way to go in 2526. Many expected them to take a small step back or at best spin their wheels, especially after losing key vets like Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dennis Schroeder. All of whom were instrumental to their resurgence. Predictions hovered around 45 wins, barely above last season, with most expecting modest, steady progression at best. Then the season started. After a quarter of the schedule gone, the Pistons have shocked everyone again. Almost nobody expected Detroit to be the number one team in the Eastern Conference after 25 games, let alone riding a franchise record 13game winning streak. A quick winning streak in November can be a fluke. But 13 straight wins and a 20 and five start, that’s no accident. And here’s the crazy part. They’ve done all of this through injuries. 10 different players have spent time on the injury report. And they’ve even had to play games without their franchise star, Cade Cunningham. Yet, every time someone went down, someone else stepped up. On top of that, they haven’t even shot the ball particularly well yet. Meaning, we still haven’t seen the best version of this team. But here we are. 20 wins, five losses, sitting at the top of the East, 2 and 1/2 games ahead of the Knicks, and five ahead of the Celtics. We came into the season expecting growth. What we got was full-blown Eastern Conference contender. The same team that once couldn’t finish games, now looks comfortable in the clutch time. Mr. fourth quarter. Cut in. They got him over to Robinson for three. The same players who used to find creative ways to lose are now leading statement wins. Sure, it’s easy to say it’s still early, but 25 games in, this feels less like a lucky hot streak and more like a certified declaration that Detroit basketball is officially back. And speaking of Detroit basketball being back, we have to talk about the two franchise pillars making it happen. Cade Cunningham and Jaylen Duran. Their connection and their individual leaps have been the foundation of Detroit’s rise through the Eastern Conference. Cunningham went from earning his first AllNBA selection last season to hearing his name legitimately mentioned in the MVP conversations this year. And it’s completely deserved. He’s averaging careerh highs across the board, 27 points, nine assists, and six rebounds. The kind of statline most players dream about. He’s carrying Detroit’s offense. But he’s been just as impactful defensively, posting a career-high 1.5 steals per game with a 33% usage rate, the highest of his career and sixth in the entire NBA. He’s clearly the engine of this team. This was supposed to be the season where someone else stepped up to lighten his load, but that hasn’t happened yet. Honestly, it hasn’t mattered, though. Cade isn’t a one-dimensional player. He defends, he rebounds, he generates turnovers, he controls the pace, and offensively, he’s both one of the league’s better scorers and one of its top five playmakers. When you combine all of that in one guy, no surprise Cunningham sits firmly in the top five of the MVP ladder. The most underrated part of Kad’s game this season, what he does when it matters most. In clutch time, he’s been the best player in the league. His ability to manipulate defenses, control tempo, and make the right play under pressure is a huge reason the Pistons are sitting at 20 and five. Detroit hasn’t been blowing teams out. Most of their wins have been tight, high pressure battles. In those moments, Cade has consistently taken over on both ends. There’s a reason only Janisent Kmpo scores more fourth quarter points than Cunningham’s 9.5 per game and why he trails only Sha Gildis Alexander in clutch points per game at 5.3. When the game gets tight, Cad’s fingerprints are everywhere. A massive reason the Pistons are 12 and four in clutch situations this season. There’s not much to criticize except for his three-point shooting, which has been flatout bad. He’s hitting just 30% from deep on a career-high 6.2 two attempts per game, ranking in the bottom 5% of the league in almost every three-point shooting category. Whether it’s pull-ups, catch and shoot, or even wide open looks. Even during his recent 10-game stretch, averaging nearly 30 points per game, he’s shooting just 27% from three. And that’s the scary part. Even with poor shooting from beyond the ark, he’s still producing MVP level numbers. Imagine what his stat line would look like if those three started falling. Not just from the extra points, but from how much it would force defenses to stretch out and open up the rest of the floor. Cade Cunningham has been incredible this season, and the fact there’s still room for improvement should terrify the rest of the league. Another Piston quietly terrifying the league is Jaylen Duran. He’s always been physically dominant, but this season, he’s leaned fully into it, becoming the ideal version of himself. A player who controls the rim on both ends through 22 games. Duran is posting career highs across the board. 18.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and one block per game while shooting 65% from the field, and 75% from the free throw line in just 29 minutes per contest. What makes him so efficient isn’t flashy scoring. It’s mastery of what he already does best. Duran creates gravity as a role man, catches lobs for thunderous dunks, and punishes opponents with putbacks off offensive rebounds. He’s also added new layers to his game, taking opposing bigs off the dribble and mixing in mid-range shots. A lot of that growth came this past summer when coach Big Staff worked with him one-on-one for two weeks, developing a level of closeness and trust that has clearly paid off on the court. The improvement isn’t just on offense. Defensively, Duran is turning into the force of nature Detroit hoped he’d become. He’s quicker, more aware, and his pick and roll defense has noticeably improved. Defense was a question mark entering the season, but paired with Isaiah Stewart, he’s protecting the rim and helping the Pistons rank top five in NBA defensively. Duran has become a weapon in his own right. He’s no longer just a lob threat or a pick and roll partner for Kate Cunningham. He’s expanded his entire game. The crazy part, he’s still only 22 years old. The best days for Jaylen Durren are still ahead. But what makes this Pistons team so dangerous isn’t just Cade and Duran’s individual talent. It’s their connection. Their synergy has been a driving force in Detroit’s rise over the past 13 months. And it started off the cord in ways most people wouldn’t expect. Last summer, Cunningham organized an off-the-grid week in Colorado with friends, and Duran was right there. They stayed in small cabins with few modern comforts, spent days training, hiking, fishing, and challenging themselves in nature. Later, the duo headed to Rome for 2 weeks, exploring the city, immersing themselves in the culture, and working on their games together. That time away laid the foundation for their chemistry on the court. That chemistry shows up in every pick and roll. Coach JB Bicker Staff has made it a cornerstone of Detroit’s offense, and the results speak for themselves. Cunningham has 183 points as the ball handler in pick and rolls, trailing only SGA and Donovan Mitchell. Duran has 68 points as the roleman, putting him in elite company alongside Nicola Vuchic, DeAndre Aiden, and tied with three-time MVP Nicola Joic. Their connection extends to assist too. Cunningham has 41 assists to Duran, more than to any other teammate this season. Duran has nine assists to Cunningham, more than Cunningham has received from anyone else. Their twoman net rating of 14.3 is the highest among Detroit players who shared at least 400 minutes this season. Together, they’ve transformed Detroit’s halfcourt game. Both are on pace for career years, still have room to grow, and are building what could become the best big guard duo in the league. Their chemistry is a key reason the team has gone from NBA laughingtock to a top contender in the East. While Kate Cunningham and Jaylen Durren have grabbed most of the headlines, the Pistons success isn’t just about the stars. Players like Isaiah Stewart and Duncan Robinson are just as crucial. In today’s NBA, where defense is often treated as an afterthought, Stuart reminds us that defense still matters. He brings the versatility every modern team needs, able to protect the rim whilst also challenging shooters on the perimeter. This season, Stuart is averaging two blocks per game, up from 1.4. 4 last year, tied for second in the league behind Jay Huff’s 2.5. He also leads the NBA in opponent’s field goal percentage at the rim, and anyone daring enough to challenge him there usually regrets it. With his timing, wingspan, and strength, Stuart has become one of the league’s best defenders, anchoring what’s now one of the top defenses in the NBA. Offensively, Stewart is averaging 10.4 four points, six rebounds, and two blocks per game while shooting 53% from the field and an improved 41% from three-point range. That expanded range makes him a bigger threat and allows him to complement Duran without diminishing the Pistons spacing. If he stays healthy, Stuart is firmly in the defensive player of the year conversations, and his impact on this team can’t be overstated. While Stuart anchors the Pistons on defense, Duncan Robinson does something no one else on the roster can replicate. He spaces the floor like a one-man offense. When Detroit traded for Robinson in the offseason, critics were loud about his $17 million contract. Through 23 games, he’s proving his worth, providing shooting that the Pistons simply can’t get anywhere else. He’s the only player opposing defenses truly respect as a shooter, and that respect opens everything else for Detroit’s offense. Robinson is one of the league’s best shooters, and his impact goes beyond stats. Teams aren’t worried about anyone else taking shots on the Pistons cuz he’s the only real threat from deep. He’s averaging 12.5 points, three rebounds, and two assists while shooting 44% from the field and 40.5% from three on 7.5 attempts per game in a career-high 31.8 minutes starting every game. He leads the team with 3.1 made threes per game, more than Kade Cunningham, who averages 1.9 makes on 6.3 attempts at 30% from deep. Robinson’s value isn’t just the makes, it’s the gravity. He’s constantly moving off the ball, dragging defenders, and creating space for Cunningham, Duran, and the rest of the team. Whether in the starting lineup or filling in for absences, his offball impacts transforms lineups. Robinson is more important to Detroit than anyone expected and his shooting elevates everyone around him. With all that being said, we have to talk about why this Pistons team is just different. In today’s NBA, the spotlight is almost always on high octane offense, highlight dunks, and deep threes. Defense is often an afterthought, but it’s still what wins games and championships. That’s exactly where Detroit has built its foundation. The Pistons rank fourth in the NBA in defensive rating and sixth in points allowed on any given night. Expect Detroit to swarm. The numbers don’t lie. Coach JB Bicker Staff has wired this team to buy in mentally. But Detroit is also loaded with young, scrappy defenders who have embraced the mindset. Duran and Isaiah Stewart anchor the rim while Cunningham, Ron Holland II, and the versatile Osar Thompson create chaos on the perimeter. Another emerging identity is their clutch time mastery. The Pistons are 12-4 in clutch situations, holding opponents to a league best 33.7% shooting in the final 5 minutes of tight games or in overtime. Most young teams struggle when the game is on the line, but Detroit thrives there. They also dominate the paint and the boards. First in points in the paint, second in total rebounds, and second in offensive rebound percentage, trailing only the Rockets. This isn’t finesse basketball. It’s relentless basketball and this mindset has propelled the Pistons so far and will carry them through the rest of the season. You can’t talk about this Pistons team without mentioning the bigger staff effect. It started last season when big staff arrived in the middle of turbulence and uncertainty. His demanding nononsense style stabilized the locker room and reshaped the identity of the franchise. Players respond to him and the results speak for themselves. Since taking over, the Pistons have played with a level of urgency that hadn’t existed in years. Every player, every possession, every rotation matters. Doesn’t matter who’s available or what lineup he’s forced to roll with. Big staff demands effort, discipline, and total buyin. Last season, he finished second in coach of the year voting, losing only to Kenny Atkinson. This season, he’s building an even stronger case. Almost nobody expected the Pistons to be at the top of the Eastern Conference, especially while navigating injuries and a roster still learning how to win. Yet, they continue to answer every challenge. If they keep this up, Vicker staff isn’t just coaching a great team. He could very well win coach of the year. This doesn’t mean everything is perfect in Detroit. The Pistons still have glaring weaknesses that need fixing. The biggest issue, three-point shooting. They’re 19th in three-point percentage and 28th in attempts with Cade struggling to hit consistently and Robinson the only truly reliable shooter. When he’s off the floor, it shows if Detroit want to go deep into the playoffs where every floor is exposed, this has to improve. Cade is also being overworked and over relied upon. With backups inconsistent and dealing with injuries, the Pistons need more balance. He can’t carry this team alone all season. That said, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. Despite offensive weaknesses, the Pistons keep winning. And once the roster is healthy and everyone gets time to play together, the offense could hit another gear. There’s another level waiting for this Pistons offense, players in rhythm, healthy, and in defined roles. A 50 plus win season, and first round homecourt advantage are all within reach. If internal options don’t fully develop, Detroit has the flexibility to make moves before the trade deadline to address weaknesses. The foundation is there. They just need everything to come together. We knew the Pistons will be fun, maybe competitive, but what they’ve become is a certified contender. This is not the same Detroit Pistons, and if you’re sleeping on them, it might already be too late. What do you think? Can this Pistons team go all the way, or is there still one move they need to make before the trade deadline? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Hit like, subscribe, and turn on notifications because we’ve got plenty more coming. And if you enjoyed this video, check out one of these on your screen now.

This is NOT the same Detroit Pistons — and the NBA is finally starting to realize it. In today’s video, we break down how Detroit has completely transformed its identity with a new culture, new leadership, and a young core that is rapidly evolving into one of the most exciting groups in the league. The Pistons are no longer the rebuilding team everyone expected them to be… they’re becoming a serious problem for anyone standing in their way.

We dive into the breakout performances of Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and the Pistons’ revamped roster that is playing harder, faster, and more disciplined basketball than we’ve seen in years. From improved spacing and defensive toughness to their growing chemistry and late-game execution, Detroit is showing signs of a team ready to take a real leap in the Eastern Conference.

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