The Detroit Pistons have started to make noise in the 2024-25 NBA season. With a solid young core, the Pistons have earned a 21-19 record, which is good for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. According to the team’s star guard, Cade Cunningham, there is a significant difference in this season’s group which has helped the team have more wins.
Speaking to ESPN’s Malika Andrews on Wednesday’s “NBA Today,” Cunningham praised the squad for paying greater attention to the little things. He also spoke highly of how his veteran teammates have helped the team approach each game.
“It’s all about the details, there were a lot of times last year where the ball didn’t bounce our way,” Cunningham said. “‘Cause we didn’t execute the small things. But this year, I think there’s a different attention to detail, a different intention about how we go out and our mindset going into each game.
Andrews highlighted the difference in their mentality this season. The ESPN analyst asked what the team’s chemistry is like between the young core and the veteran players.
“It’s great, we got some great vets to come in this year. The energy’s just been different. Having guys with experience that know how to win games, to come help the young core that we already had that was just trying to figure it out. It’s been a lot of fun, I think we just have a natural blend and natural chemistry between each other.
"I've won more games this year than I have probably in every other season I've played." 😅
Cade Cunningham tells @malika_andrews why this Detroit Pistons season is the most fun he's had in the NBA "by far" 🙌 pic.twitter.com/3JaEbkIzUx
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 15, 2025
Andrews asked Cunningham if this campaign is the most fun he’s had in the NBA. He said this:
“Be far. I’ve won more games this year than I have probably in every other season I’ve played.”
During the 2023-24 campaign, Cunningham and the team only had 14 wins and finished last in the East. However, there is a big difference this season with their wins.
The Pistons guard could earn his first All-Star selection
With how the Pistons have improved this season, many credit Cunningham’s play as the biggest factor. The 6-foot-6 guard is having a career year in his fourth campaign in the league, averaging the most numbers in three major categories since he was drafted in 2021.
The point guard is averaging 24.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 9.4 assists. He’s also been an efficient shooter, making 46% of his field goals and 38.2% from deep.
Fans have begun to acknowledge Cunningham’s talent. In the second All-Star fan return, the star guard collected 401,978 votes for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference backcourt.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić continue to lead their respective conferences in the second fan returns of #NBAAllStar Voting presented by AT&T.
Fans account for 50% of the vote to decide All-Star starters. Players and a media panel account for 25% each.
Next fan update:… pic.twitter.com/oQvm99AmE5
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 9, 2025
Even though he doesn’t make it as an All-Star starter, his numbers give him a chance at becoming part of the reserves.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
