Cunningham, from outsider to All-Star Game starter: “He’s earned respect”
The Pistons’ point guard is the symbol of Detroit’s resurgence: a climb that has taken him into the All-Star starting lineup
Cade Cunningham has officially changed status. He is no longer just the face of the future for the Detroit Pistons, but the present of a team that now sits atop the Eastern Conference after years spent at the bottom of the league. His selection as an All-Star Game starter is the clearest signal yet of a season that has established him among the league’s true stars.
In his fifth NBA season, Cunningham has become the all-around engine of the Pistons, who have built a surprising 31-10 record and claimed the top spot in the East. Production and consistency, but above all leadership. Detroit has navigated injuries and difficult stretches without ever losing its identity. The latest proof came in a 104-103 win over the Celtics, a game that further solidified the Pistons’ hold on first place in the conference.
This is exactly what we always talk about: this is where respect comes from, right? When you step on the floor in such a competitive league, against players who are that competitive, and they respect your game at that level, it says a lot about what you’ve accomplished.
J.B. Bickerstaff
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s words capture the true weight of Cunningham’s impact, even on a night when he posted a 16-point double-double (4-of-17 shooting) with 14 assists. The respect of his peers – before that of the fans – is the real measure of his leap forward. Respect earned night after night by leading the team, involving teammates, and taking responsibility in decisive moments.
The impact he has on games, on this team, on the entire organization – the impact he has on teammates and coaches. He’s done everything necessary to earn this. And once again, when that recognition comes from people you respect, it means a lot.
J.B. Bickerstaff
The numbers back it up: 25.9 points, 9.6 assists, and 6 rebounds per game. Complete, modern stats for a player who reads the game and adapts to every situation. It’s no coincidence that this will be his first All-Star Game appearance as a starter, a milestone the Pistons hadn’t seen since Allen Iverson in 2009.
After making his debut as a reserve last season, Cunningham will now be part of the Eastern Conference starting five alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and Jalen Brunson. A lineup that reflects the present of the NBA – and, for Detroit, a future that finally has a clear face, recognized across the entire league.