Fresh off a breakout season, Detroit Pistons star guard Cade Cunningham’s coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, offered insight into what makes the 23-year-old an ideal franchise centerpiece.
Following a league-worst 14-68 finish to the 2023-24 NBA campaign, Detroit wasn’t expected to make much noise this past season. Instead, Cunningham and Co. experienced a drastic 30-win improvement in their first year under Bickerstaff, placing sixth in the Eastern Conference (44-38).
After leading Detroit to its first playoff victories since 2008, Cunningham and the Pistons’ young core appear poised to compete in the East for years to come. According to Bickerstaff, their quick turnaround stemmed from the 2021 No. 1 pick’s burgeoning leadership.
J.B. Bickerstaff Raves About Cade Cunningham’s Exceptional Character
During a Monday appearance on the “Chris Vernon Show,” Bickerstaff reflected on Detroit’s unexpected success. The veteran coach largely attributed it to Cunningham leading by example in his fourth season as he sought to establish a winning culture.
“The thing that made my job easier is, as good of a basketball player as Cade Cunningham is, he’s a better leader and a person,” Bickerstaff said.
“So, I would relay messages to him about how we wanted to move every day, how we wanted to be positive. You know, we weren’t putting up with any b*tching, complaining, all that stuff. So, there were times in games where guys would do it, and Cade would grab them and be like, ‘Yo, coach said we’re not b*tching here. So, if you want to b*tch, you can go somewhere else.’
“But that’s real, you know what I mean? So, when he does that, for me, now my job is easy. Yeah, so I say what I say, and then he carries it out and he lives it.”
JB Bickerstaff on how Cade Cunningham made his job easier.
“The thing that made my job easier is as good of a basketball player as Cade Cunningham is he’s a better leader and person. So like I would relay messages to him about you know how we wanted to move every day how we… pic.twitter.com/ZDhDHdqsUv
— Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) July 15, 2025
Beyond the Pistons’ team-wide resurgence, Cunningham’s career year resulted in him earning his first All-Star selection and an All-NBA third team nod. Across 70 outings, he averaged 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.1 3-pointers per game, shooting 46.9%.
Bickerstaff on How Cunningham Makes His Teammates Better
While celebrating Cunningham’s impact on the Pistons, Bickerstaff noted that despite being a high-usage player, the 6’6″ guard has a knack for elevating his teammates.
“What makes him special is, I say this to people, he can be great and not take your breath away as his teammate,” Bickerstaff said. “Like, he doesn’t have to eat what’s on your plate to be great. He makes sure that your plate is full, even though he’s doing his thing.”
The East is expected to be wide open next season, with premier teams like the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers navigating serious injuries to their top players. If Cunningham and fellow rising talents like Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey continue progressing, Detroit could be poised to secure its first 50-win season since the 2007–08 campaign.
