Pistons fans have spent much of the summer dealing with one headache after another, from Jalen Duren’s ongoing contract extension situation to the team’s lack of movement in finding a second option. Through all of it, Cade Cunningham has remained the one steady source of optimism, and he’s already attacking the part of his game that gave him trouble in the playoffs.
Cunningham’s regular season was about as clean as it gets. He finished as an All-NBA First Team selection and placed fifth in MVP voting.
But once the postseason hit, some of the same late-game issues that have followed him before showed up again, especially turnovers down the stretch of key games. That’s why this offseason isn’t just about adding to his game.
It’s about holding up better when everything tightens in the fourth quarter.
In a recent profile, Cunningham said a major focus of his offseason work has been improving his endurance and core stability. He’s doing that training in the high elevation of the Colorado mountains, with the hope that the work translates once he’s back at the normal altitude of Detroit. Just as important, he believes the training can help him build more mental toughness and stay stronger late in intense games.
That late-game strain was easy to see in the playoffs. Cunningham carried the Pistons with huge scoring nights while the rest of the roster struggled to keep pace.
The load eventually wore on him, and he had some rough fourth-quarter stretches in close games against both the Magic and Cavaliers. His toughest outing of the postseason also came in the Pistons’ final game, when he struggled during a Game 7 blowout loss to Cleveland.
That run made the need for more offensive support obvious, and it pushed the Pistons to rethink the roster this offseason and map out a plan to give Cunningham more help. Those plans still haven’t produced anything concrete, but Cunningham is doing what he can on his end by preparing for the same situations that caused problems before. If he can keep his body and mind sharper in those moments, Detroit should be better in the clutch and in a stronger position for a deeper playoff run.
There’s also plenty of reason to remember just how new this all is for Cunningham. Last season was his first real playoff run of any length, and only his second postseason appearance overall.
He was also working his way back after a collapsed lung and fractured ribs when the playoffs began. Under those circumstances, the difficulties he ran into were hardly surprising.
Even so, he still pushed through and showed how much room he has left to grow. Being healthier and more experienced alone should help.
The fact that he’s going beyond the basics to fix the exact areas that gave him trouble says plenty about his work ethic. For Pistons fans, that’s the kind of offseason detail that keeps the hope alive heading into year 6.
In Other News...
Jalen Duren Drama Leaves Pistons Facing A Huge Long Term Question
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Detroits willingness to listen on the market has added another layer to the story. The Pistons have already declined at least one trade framework involving Domantas Sabonis, a sign they are not eager to rush into a move just to resolve the tension. So the franchise is left balancing patience, leverage and the need to protect its future, while Durens next step remains unresolved and the bigger question of how he fits into the long-term picture is still hanging over the team. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Davis Rumors Ignore One Huge Problem For The Pistons
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There is also the practical side of any deal, which is where the idea starts to wobble even more. Davis has been available only sparingly since arriving in Dallas, and the contract attached to him would be a major burden for Detroit to absorb without tearing into the depth that has helped stabilize the roster, making the whole scenario feel more like speculation than a realistic path forward. [Read more 🡒]
Pistons Need More From Ausar Thompson Than Theyre Getting
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Thompsons next step is less about style than urgency. The Pistons already know his defense and versatility can help, but they need a better read on what he can do when hes asked to create a little more offense, especially next season. If he stays in the same lane, Detroit may never get the full answer on how much pressure he can handle or how much he can add to the teams ceiling. [Read more 🡒]