Cade Cunningham’s All-Star Nod Marks Another Step in His Long-Term Vision
Cade Cunningham isn’t just playing for today-he’s building toward something bigger. The Pistons’ rising star will suit up for his second consecutive All-Star Game this Sunday, and while the honor is certainly well-earned, it’s also part of a broader plan the 22-year-old guard has been eyeing for years.
This year’s All-Star festivities land at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, the same arena set to host men’s basketball at the 2028 Olympics. For Cunningham, that connection isn’t lost.
“The L.A. All-Star Game was part of that plan,” Cunningham said.
“I wanted to make sure I’m in there. And then win a championship and be an Olympic point guard.
It’s all part of the long-term plan, for sure.”
That’s not just talk. Cunningham is putting together a standout season for a Pistons team that’s flipped the script under head coach J.B.
Bickerstaff. Through 46 games, Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points, 9.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting .462 from the field, .330 from deep, and .802 from the line.
He’s logging nearly 35 minutes a night and doing it all with poise and command.
But it’s not just the numbers that stand out-it’s how he’s getting them. Bickerstaff, who’s seen his share of elite talent, made a point to highlight Cunningham’s impact on both ends of the floor.
“He is a [6-foot-6] point guard who dominates all areas of the offensive end of the floor,” Bickerstaff said. “But what I don’t think people talk about enough is his defense, his willingness to guard the other team’s best players.
“The impact that he has on that end of the floor - to me, he’s one of the top five two-way players in our league. There may be some guys that they talk about offensively, but his impact is on both ends of the floor. There’s not many guys in this league that are that way.”
That kind of praise doesn’t come easy-and it underscores just how central Cunningham is to Detroit’s resurgence.
Bickerstaff’s Unexpected Journey to Detroit
Speaking of that resurgence, it’s worth remembering that J.B. Bickerstaff’s path to Detroit wasn’t exactly a straight line. After being let go by the Cavaliers following the 2023-24 season, Bickerstaff wasn’t sure he’d land another head coaching job right away.
“I didn’t think I was going to get a job,” he admitted. “There weren’t jobs available at that point.
So I was just sitting at home and hanging out with my family back in Cleveland trying to figure out what was next. We were going to move to San Clemente, California… let the kids go to the [soccer] academy and train.”
Instead, Detroit came calling-and Bickerstaff has made the most of the opportunity. He’s helped revitalize a Pistons team that had been stuck in the mud for years, bringing a renewed focus on defense, development, and accountability.
“That month that I had off gave me an opportunity to evaluate myself and think about what I was going to be at the next opportunity,” Bickerstaff said. “Just understanding that the focus should always be on the process and not just focused on the results.
“In my last year in Cleveland, I let that get the best of me, where it was like results, results, results. And we skipped some of the process stuff.”
Now, with Cunningham leading the charge and Bickerstaff steering the ship, the Pistons look like a team with both a plan and the pieces to execute it.
Siakam Reflects on His Roots and Looks Ahead in Indiana
Over in Indiana, Pascal Siakam is taking a moment to reflect-but also to lead. The Pacers forward recently spoke at the Basketball Without Borders All-Star camp, held at the Lakers’ practice facility, and shared how his journey began at a similar camp in Africa back in 2012.
“I saw Luol Deng. I saw Serge Ibaka.
I saw NBA players at that time. I thought, ‘This is cool.’
I saw NBA coaches. I had never been exposed to the NBA beforehand.
I think that was my first time,” Siakam said. “I think I will always remember those memories and see how excited we were to get the opportunity.
After that, my love for the game grew. We’re here now.”
Siakam’s story has come full circle-from a wide-eyed kid at a BWB camp to a multi-time All-Star now giving back to the next generation. But he’s also focused on the present.
As Tyrese Haliburton continues to recover from a torn Achilles, Siakam has stepped up not just on the court, but as a vocal leader in the locker room. He also expressed enthusiasm about playing alongside new starting center Ivica Zubac, hinting at a frontcourt pairing that could give the Pacers some added toughness and rim protection down the stretch.
Bulls’ Deadline Moves Draw Criticism
Meanwhile, in Chicago, the trade deadline came and went with little fanfare-and plenty of frustration. The Bulls’ front office received a D-plus grade for their series of transactions, with the moves being criticized as overdue by at least a season.
While the roster remains largely intact, the lack of bold action has left many wondering whether the Bulls missed a key window to reshape the team’s future. For now, the status quo remains-but in a competitive Eastern Conference, standing still can often mean falling behind.
As the All-Star break approaches, the Central Division is full of evolving narratives-Cunningham’s ascent, Bickerstaff’s redemption, Siakam’s leadership, and the Bulls’ uncertain direction. It’s shaping up to be a fascinating second half of the season.