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Pistons’ Future Shines Bright with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey
Detroit Pistons players, from left, center Jalen Duren, forward Tobias Harris, guard Jaden Ivey and guard Cade Cunningham react to their 30-point loss to the New York Knicks late in the fourth quarter at Little Caesars Arena.
|Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons may have faced a tough loss against the Charlotte Hornets, but there’s plenty of reason for optimism. With a current record of 3-6, the Pistons’ future looks promising, thanks to the impressive performances of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. These two young stars are not only playing well individually but are also proving they can thrive together on the court.
Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey: A Dynamic Duo
Cunningham and Ivey have been the focal points of the Pistons’ strategy this season. The big question heading into the year was whether these two could not only fit together but also enhance each other’s game. So far, they are exceeding expectations. Cunningham is averaging 23 points, 7.7 assists, and 6.9 rebounds, with a true shooting percentage of around 55%. Meanwhile, Ivey is putting up nearly 20 points per game, along with 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists, shooting 47% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc.
Their synergy is evident, as the Pistons have a positive net rating when both are on the floor. In 197 minutes together, they are outscoring opponents, a significant improvement from previous seasons. However, when one of them is off the court, the team’s performance drops significantly, highlighting their importance to the Pistons’ success.
Areas for Improvement
Despite their strong start, there are areas where Cunningham and Ivey can improve. Cunningham’s free throw percentage has dipped to 77%, a noticeable drop from his usual 85-87%. Ivey, while shooting well from deep, could enhance his finishing around the rim. Addressing these issues could elevate their game even further.
The Pistons’ overall performance is also impacted by the lack of additional creators on the team. When either Cunningham or Ivey leaves the floor, the offense struggles, as they are the primary playmakers. The team needs another player who can create opportunities and relieve some of the pressure on these two young stars.
Defensive and Offensive Challenges
Defensively, the Pistons have shown improvement, currently ranking 13th in the NBA. However, their offense is lagging, sitting at 24th. The absence of consistent contributions from their teammates is a significant factor. The Pistons’ veterans, expected to provide shooting and spacing, have not lived up to expectations. This has resulted in the team struggling to capitalize on the defensive gains and the improvements made by Cunningham and Ivey.
The Pistons’ future hinges on the continued development of Cunningham and Ivey, as well as the ability of their supporting cast to step up. With the right adjustments, this team has the potential to turn their season around and make significant strides.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pistons’ season, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
- The importance of veteran performance for the Pistons’ success
- A preview of the upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks
- Analysis of the Pistons’ defensive improvements
- Discussion on the Pistons’ offensive struggles and potential solutions
The Nuggets did it (Nikola Jokic did it), the Warriors did it (the death lineup and defensive efficiency), the Celtics did it (switching one through five, pre-switching, neutralizing open lanes), and now the Thunder are doing it.
It’s been described as pestering, smothering, swarming, but I‘d like to put “car wash” into consideration. That’s the set up awaiting opponents. The car (the opposing team) gets locked into those self-driving tracks and the gauntlet begins. Lu Dort and Alex Caruso appear as those cylindrical spinning brushes, stripping the ball outright and early or else funnelling players into the next wave of guards. Pressure continues from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams but it becomes more targeted, thinking of the jet streams of water now being directed at the car from every angle — and those spinning whirlwinds of Caruso and Dort haven’t relented.
If, somehow, an opposing player finds a sliver of daylight in the so-small-its-micro-ball switching scheme the Thunder are playing, if they manage to get out from the many hands reaching in, pressuring, forcing turnovers, then they will meet Chet Holmgren at the rim. Holmgren is like those long, slapping shammy tentacles that come down on the hood, sides and roof of the car from every angle, though his reach and hands are much more expertly deployed. The Thunder have a defensive rating of 96.5 (for context the Warriors, at second best, seem light-years behind with a respectable 103.8) and lead the league in steals (13.4) and blocks (7.3). The cars are coming out spotless, utterly worked.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury Jalen Duren’s ankle injury raises concerns for the Pistons’ frontcourt depth and game strategy. (Freep)
Preview The Atlanta Hawks battle the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena at 7pm ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Replay Pistons suffer another buzzer-beater loss to the Hornets, highlighting late-game execution issues. (Detroit Bad Boys)
Must Read The Influence of Sedona Price: Take a fascinating look at the domino effect of NIL on college athletics, women’s sports, social media and athlete health. (The New Yorker)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Impact of Miles Bridges’ Injury
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) holds his knee after a collision at the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Spectrum Center.|Photo by Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
With only three games on Thursday, there was ample time to delve into the latest injury news and its implications for fantasy managers.
Injury Updates and Their Impact
Miles Bridges’ knee injury is a significant concern. After initially returning to play, he’s now sidelined for at least two weeks with a knee bone bruise. This situation opens up opportunities for other players. With Nick Richards and Mark Williams also out, Taj Gibson steps in as the starting centre. Grant Williams, who has been getting centre minutes, will likely shift to playing more at the four, alongside Tidjane Salaun. This reshuffling could push Williams into a more prominent role, making him a potential pick-up in 12-team leagues.
The absence of Bridges also means increased usage for Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Tre Mann is another player to watch; holding onto him could be beneficial as the team adjusts to these injuries.
Ja Morant’s hamstring injury is another blow, with expectations of a two-week absence. Memphis’ injury reporting is notoriously vague, so fantasy managers should prepare for an extended period without Morant. Tyrese Maxey’s situation is similar, with the Sixers indicating a reevaluation in a week, but realistically, it could be longer. Kyle Lowry is a suitable replacement in the meantime.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
Detroit Pistons’ Sloppy Win: Can They Clean Up Their Act? The Detroit Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham, managed a 106-92 victory against the Brooklyn Nets despite a shaky performance marked by turnovers and poor shooting. With Cunningham’s turnover issues persisting, averaging over five per game, the team faces challenges ahead.
How Detroit Pistons Shocked The Lakers With A Stunning Victory The Detroit Pistons delivered a surprising upset against the Los Angeles Lakers, showcasing the talents of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the court, the Pistons’ young stars shone brightly, particularly in the fourth quarter where Ivey scored 11 points off Cunningham’s assists.
Detroit Pistons Suffer Worst Loss Of Season At The Buzzer To LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets The Detroit Pistons suffered a crushing defeat against the Charlotte Hornets, losing control in the final moments. Could this be their most disappointing loss of the season? With Cade Cunningham taking only two shots in the fourth quarter, questions arise about his role in closing games. The Pistons’ struggle with three-point shooting, hitting just 33% this season, is another pressing issue.
