Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones Jr. take a look at Detroit’s seven-game winning streak – putting them atop the Eastern Conference at 9-2 entering Tuesday’s action – and how the point guard’s play has boosted Detroit so far this season. Check out the full conversation on “The Dunker Spot and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
It’s time, Nakaas, it’s time for you in the basketball world.
To respect the Detroit Pistons.
It’s time.
OK. 7 straight wins and what you see is the Cade Cunningham of it all.
My gosh, that young man is playing at such a high level.
First player with 45 or more points, 10+ rebounds, 10+ assists, 5+ steals since 1973, 197974.
Yes, it was against the Washington Wizards.
I understand that.
Scores 15 points in the fourth quarter to give the Pistons a chance.
He’s giving this team life in such a great way.
Third in the league in drives per game at 18.7.
Jokic is the leader in assists per game.
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Kay Cunningham is 2nd.
Uh, and the bonuses is, Kay Cunningham is averaging 11.4 points per game in the fourth quarter, shooting 53%.
Would you like to knock on the door of clutch player of the Year?
I’m just throwing it out there.
That seems good.
That seems good.
And so what that has done is teams are now forced to, OK, we’re putting 2 on the ball.
We’re going to double team you.
And Cade is reading the floor, reading defenses, having more comfort with the, OK, you want to double me if I’m looking to attack.
I’m going to drive the other way and make a play.
And it’s also unlocked, you know, a very good pick and roll tandem with Jalen Durant, and that gives them, I think, just such a good balance.
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Cade and, uh, Jalen Durant did things to your Brooklyn Nets.
Uh, both had 30+ point double-doubles.
The overall improved play from Jalen Durant on both ends of the floor.
There’s a reason why this team is 4th in defensive rating.
It feels like at times JB Bickerstaff’s like, Hey, let’s get some defense out there.
Let’s get some dog on the court.
Hey, Devonte Green, would you like to make someone upset?
Ron Holland, you want to get after it?
Assar Thompson, you’re 3rd in the league in deflections per game.
Guard anyone.
And so we’re just going to bring that impactful.
Uh, behavior, uh, to our team and attack you the other way.
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So I’ve liked how they get after it.
I just like their identity.
So guys are ready and willing to step up and you get that kind of buy-in and belief early in the season, you never know where that’s going to take you.