Cunningham has led the Pistons above .500 while stuffing the stat sheet this season
We’re quickly approaching the NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco. Your Detroit Pistons are a surprising 20-19, a mediocre record to most teams but a true breakthrough for a franchise coming off one of the worst seasons in modern NBA history.
A big, and, let me repeat, BIG, reason for this jump is the play of Cade Cunningham. The first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has blossomed into a do-everything star for the Pistons this season, scoring, dishing, rebounding and defending at a high level.
The Pistons are where they are, in large part, due to Cade’s breakout year — and the improved play from some new role players.
That begs the question, the one we will all ask ourselves as NBA All-Star voting continues: Cade’s gonna be an All-Star, right? I posed that question, as well as a few others, to the squad here at DBB.
1. Cade currently ranks seventh among East guards in the latest All-Star fan voting. Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Do you think Cade should be an All-Star this year?
Lazarus Jackson: Oh yeah. Between the improvement in wins and his jump in production, there’s a narrative and a case that he should be an All-Star.
Ben Gulker: All Star debates are almost always a debate about criteria, and I typically find myself in the minority that prefers the best players from the best teams (the 2006 Eastern Conference reserves that featured 4 Pistons, for example). If I’m consistent, then no, Cade’s not a top 4 guard, but he’s near the top of the bubble.
Brady Fredericksen: Absolutely. He’s not just scoring. He’s not just rebounding. He’s not just dishing assists. He’s proving to be one of the most versatile players in the league, let alone the Eastern Conference. #VoteCade
Justin Lambregetse: Cade should definitely be an All-Star. He has always been on the list of “guys putting up all star numbers” but due to how bad the Pistons have been in his career thus far, he was never going to get in. The team is finally winning enough to justify him getting in, plus he has better numbers across the board.
Wes Davenport: Yes. Without question.
Robbie Bettelon: Yes, Cade should absolutely be an All-Star. He’s one of two players averaging 24+ points, 6+ rebounds, and 9+ assists – the other is Nikola Jokic. That‘s deserving of being in an All-NBA discussions, too.
2. Ok, so, *will* Cade be an All-Star?
Lazarus Jackson: Oh yeah. He won’t be a starter, but coaches / players will get him in.
Ben Gulker: Right now, it’s a coin flip, but there’s a lot of basketball to be played. If he and the team closes out the next month strong, I could see the players and coaches voting him in — especially given he’s the main focus of the scouting report for Pistons’ opponents nightly. But if Detroit stumbles, I could see the media talking itself into a player like Herro, Young, or Garland, especially if Miami makes roster changes to Herro’s advantage. Can I convince myself the Pistons’ winning is real, and they will get to the break at .500 or better? If yes, then Cade has a good chance.
Brady Fredericksen: Man, it’s such a political thing. I’ll say yes. The fans aren’t going to do him any favors. The Pistons just aren’t relevant enough, and Cade himself is so low key that he won’t get the popularity bump that someone like the East’s top guard vote getter LaMelo Ball — a losing, stat-stuffing player playing for one of the worst team in the East — has gotten. I have faith that the ball knowers in the coaching and player votes will do Cade right.
Justin Lambregetse: I think he will be. I’m not surprised he isn’t doing great in the fan vote, but I think most of the coaches in the East know how good he is since they are game planning for him every night, so that will hold enough weight for him to get in.
Wes Davenport: Yes! And it likely was never going to be via the fan vote anyway.
Robbie Bettelon: He will be an All-Star, even if all the Gen Z TikTok kids are drowning LaMelo in votes.
3. Do you think any other members of the Pistons will partake in the All-Star Weekend festivities at Chase Center in San Fran?
Lazarus Jackson: Beasley in the three-point contest is the next most logical choice. I could also see Ron Holland participating in the Whatever The Hell They Do With The Rookies Now Challenge.
Ben Gulker: Malik Beasley seems like a natural fit for the three point shootout, and it’s a good opportunity for him to get even more exposure in his contract season. Holland and Thompson would both be fun in the fast-paced Rising Stars challenge, but I’m not sure either is having enough impact to get there. Cade’s versatility seems like a great fit for the skills challenge, if he and others were to take it seriously anyway.
Brady Fredericksen: I would be SHOCKED if Malik Beasley isn’t in the 3-point contest. Truly, I think he should be one of their first calls. Ron Holland might make the Rookie-Sophomore (or whatever they’re calling it now) game. Cade could make the skills competition (I thought Ivey could have too ) but what I’m really rooting for is Ausar Thompson and Amen Thompson facing off in the dunk contest. That would be sick.
Justin Lambregetse: The only other person I could see at All Star weekend is Malik Beasley in the 3 point contest. I would be shocked if he isn’t in unless the NBA opts to invite more of the “legacy” 3 point shooters like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, etc.
Wes Davenport: Beasley in the three point shootout would be great television if he wants to do it. Ron Holland or Ausar would be good dunk contest contestants. I want to see Holland in the rising stars game but that feels like wishful thinking. Long story short, I’m hoping one of those things becomes true!
Robbie Bettelon: Beasley would do well in the three-point contest and he’s also an entertainer, but I really want to see both Thompson Twins in the dunk contest at some point, too.
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As always, let us know what you think in the comments!
1. Cade currently ranks seventh among East guards in the latest All-Star fan voting. Well start with this: Should Cade be an All-Star?
2. Ok, so, *will* Cade be an All-Star?
3. Do you think any other members of the Pistons will partake in the All-Star Weekend festivities at Chase Center in San Fran?