Cade Cunningham Overcomes Doubts, Leads Pistons Toward Playoff Hopes

DETROIT, Mich. — Cade Cunningham, the Detroit Pistons‘ star point guard, found himself tossing and turning at night, battling with self-doubt and criticism as his team endured a historic losing streak during the 2023-24 NBA season. By midseason, the Pistons had tied the record for the longest losing streak in league history at 28 games, leaving Cunningham grappling with the weight of expectations placed on him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft.

“It was such a dark cloud over the whole building,” Cunningham said of the atmosphere at the Pistons’ practice facility. “Everybody was feeling it.” As losses mounted, Cunningham’s struggles intensified, resulting in sleepless nights filled with anxiety about his performance and the future of his career in Detroit.

Cunningham expressed the emotional toll the losses took on him, saying, “On these sleepless nights, I’d pick up my phone, open Twitter, and begin scrolling. I see all this stuff about me: ‘Cade can’t lead an NBA team,’ ‘Cade’s a bust.’ That four-letter word—bust—cut especially deep.” The scrutiny weighed heavily on him. He began questioning his confidence and abilities, with thoughts like, “Am I trippin’?” entering his mind.

Despite the adversity, Cunningham became determined to rise above it. He remembered his electrifying college years when he led Oklahoma State as a consensus All-American and the overwhelming support from fans that greeted him upon joining the Pistons. However, after a rough rookie campaign and a significant shin injury that limited his second season, he was left questioning whether he could achieve the greatness everyone expected.

“It was a test for me,” he said. “It made me re-establish my work ethic in the NBA.” After the challenging times, Cunningham embraced a commitment to improvement, turning to his teammates for support and focusing on small victories during his recovery.

This season, however, marked a turning point. Cunningham flourished on the court, healing from past struggles and blossoming into a bona fide star. His performance rose to an impressive average of 25.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game. He was selected as an All-Star reserve, signaling his emergence as the leader the Pistons needed.

In a recent game against the Boston Celtics, Cunningham tallied 21 points and 11 assists, contributing to a 117-97 Pistons victory—their first winning streak of the season.

As he regained his confidence, Cunningham reflected on his journey and the expectations tied to being the first overall pick. “I still don’t think I’ve got to where I envision in my head,” he admitted, adding that resilience falls in recognizing true confidence. “You have to trust that everything you wanted to achieve is going to come.”

Detroit’s resurgence isn’t just credited to Cunningham’s scoring prowess. According to Pistons owner Tom Gores, “He has been instrumental in our team’s resurgence and has been the driving force behind our forward momentum.” Coach J.B. Bickerstaff echoed this sentiment, highlighting Cunningham’s willingness to learn and lead the team through challenges.

Teammate Malik Beasley noted, “The team chemistry is unmatched,” attributing part of their success to Cunningham’s efforts in uniting the roster. As players rallied under his leadership, they began discussing playoff aspirations, a notion that seemed implausible just months prior.

As the Pistons look ahead to the postseason, Cunningham has found renewed joy in the game, transforming criticism into motivation. He reflects, “You don’t have to allow what people think of you or what is creeping through your mind to control who you really are.” With improved results on the court and a changed mentality, Cunningham embraces his role as the anchor for the Pistons, leading them toward a possible playoff run.