Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham has elevated before, but never like this. The Detroit Pistons sit at 10â2, riding an eight-game winning streak and holding a 2.5-game lead in the Eastern Conference. Their All-Star point guard is driving everything. He was already an All-NBA selection a year ago, yet he has pushed his game even further through the first month.
Through 11 contests, Cunningham is averaging 27.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 9.9 assists, ranking top-10 in scoring and second in assists behind Nikola Jokic. Heâs also been one of the leagueâs sharpest closers, with 33 clutch points, trailing only Tyrese Maxey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Even though he missed Wednesdayâs game with a hip contusion, the impact of his leap remains obvious.
And now one of the greatest Pistons ever is saying it out loud.
Isiah Thomas: âYou can always depend on him in the fourth quarterâ
When Isiah Thomas evaluates a point guard, thereâs weight behind his words. During an appearance on NBA Today on SiriusXM, the two-time champion praised Cunninghamâs maturity and nightly approach. He emphasized how Detroitâs star shapes games at his own pace.
âHe comes to the game every night and does whatâs necessary for the team to win,â Thomas said. âSometimes he may not take a shot for the whole first quarter, and then heâll get going in the second quarter. But you can always depend on him in the fourth quarter.â
Thomas pointed directly to Detroitâs overtime win over Washington. Cunningham delivered a 46-point triple-double, took 45 shots, and carried the offense from start to finish. According to Thomas, those decisions werenât about volume â they were about understanding what the game needed.
Cunninghamâs ability to switch roles on demand has quickly become one of Detroitâs defining strengths. On some nights, he dismantles defenses with scoring bursts. On others, he orchestrates everything around him and lets teammates dictate the rhythm. Either approach keeps the Pistons in command late.
Thomas Compares Cunningham to NBA Greats
Thomas didnât stop at leadership. He moved into superstar comparisons.
âThe way heâs playing the game right now, it reminds me a lot of when The Joker first started elevating to the level that heâs at now,â Thomas said. âGreat players find a way to beat you by making their teammates better, and not necessarily having to take all the shots. Thatâs where Cade is at right now.â
Coming from one of the sharpest floor generals in league history, the Jokic comparison is substantial. The Nuggets star is the leagueâs best player, a three-time MVP and the ultimate offensive hub. Thomas believes Cunningham is learning to control games in a similar fashion â through pace, poise, and deliberate reads.
Then he raised the ceiling even higher.
âHe can beat you scoring 40 points, or he can beat you scoring 12 points,â Thomas said, noting that the versatility mirrors what he once saw from Magic Johnson.
Those arenât casual parallels. Theyâre benchmarks reserved for players who elevate franchises.
A new ceiling in Detroit
Detroit wasnât projected to lead the East, yet Cunningham has flipped expectations. The conversation entering the season centered on Cleveland, New York, and Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the Pistons have emerged as a legitimate threat because their best player is performing like the conferenceâs most complete guard.
Cunninghamâs numbers carry weight. His clutch presence keeps Detroit steady. And his approach â patient early, forceful late â has become a trademark of a star who understands the moment.
If the Pistons keep winning at this level, the question shifts. Instead of wondering whether Detroit is ahead of schedule, fans and analysts will start asking whether Cunningham can follow Thomasâ path and push the franchise back into championship territory.
Right now, he looks fully capable of doing exactly that.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Cade Cunningham Receives Glowing Praise From Pistons Legend appeared first on Heavy Sports.