Cade Cunningham's MVP Case: Leading the Pistons to New Heights
Cade Cunningham, the dynamic point guard for the Detroit Pistons, is making a strong case for the NBA MVP this season. With the Pistons sitting atop the league with a 41-13 record, Cunningham's impact is undeniable.
Cunningham himself is confident in his MVP credentials, but he's not interested in self-promotion. "I think I am [MVP]," he shared with ESPN's Vincent Goodwill.
"If you don’t agree with me, that’s your opinion." His focus remains on letting his performance speak for itself.
This season, Cunningham is averaging an impressive 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game. His shooting percentages-46.3% from the field, 33.5% from three, and 81.0% from the line-highlight his efficiency. Leading the league in assists and ranking high in scoring, Cunningham is proving to be a versatile force on the court.
Historically, the Pistons haven't seen an MVP contender since Grant Hill's third-place finish in 1997. But Cunningham's performance this season positions him as a likely finalist, with his leadership and skills driving Detroit's resurgence.
Teammate Tobias Harris praises Cunningham's winning mentality. "He’s a winner, man.
Attitude, leadership, every day, the guy is special," Harris said. "He wants championships, and that’s a difference."
The Pistons' transformation has been remarkable. Just two seasons ago, they endured a 14-68 record, including a 28-game losing streak. Last year, they made a playoff appearance, their first since 2019, though they fell to the Knicks in the first round.
This season, Detroit has shown they can compete with the best, boasting a 3-0 record against the Knicks, 3-1 against the Celtics, and splitting games with the Cavaliers.
Cunningham sums up the team's mindset: "We’re the best team in the East... The statement is coming to play every night, and we’re going to compete until you lay down for us."
With Cunningham at the helm, the Pistons are not just aiming for individual accolades-they're setting their sights on championship glory.