Ever since Cade Cunningham went down, the rest of the league has been acting like the Detroit Pistons are no longer contenders. While it’s impossible to deny how important Cunningham is to Detroit, the fact remains that this is still a winning team. Even without their star, this is a roster capable of making the postseason interesting and taking down any team that doesn’t take them seriously.
The League is Writing the Pistons Off at Their Own Peril
In the first quarter of the Pistons-Wizards game on March 17th, both Cunningham and Tre Johnson dove for a loose ball. Johnson accidentally landed on Cunningham’s lower back and hip. When Cunningham got to his feet, he was in extreme discomfort. He was initially diagnosed with back spasms and left the game after five minutes of play.
Cunningham turned out to have a left-side pneumothorax, better known as a collapsed lung. In this case, it has been referred to as mild, though it’s safe to say any collapsed lung should be taken seriously. Making it even more concerning is that it’s a relatively rare injury in the NBA.
Naturally, Cunningham’s health is the top priority. At the same time, the Pistons must plan for what’s next. Their two-time All-Star will be out for at least two weeks, a good chunk of what’s left of the regular season. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated on March 31st in hopes that he will be ready for the playoffs. Regardless, any team that assumes a Cunningham-less Detroit will be easy pickings in the postseason does so at their own risk.
The Narrative Around the Pistons Changed at Lightning Speed
Almost as soon as Cunningham went down, the talk around Detroit’s status shifted. They had long been assumed to take the top spot in the East and contend for the NBA Championship. Without Cunningham, that assertion was quickly being called into question.
In truth, nothing has changed. The Pistons have now played four games without Cunningham, including the one he was injured in. And they have gone 4-0, beating the Wizards twice, the Golden State Warriors, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Keep in mind this is the current, dominant version of the Lakers with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves all playing. On the other hand, beating the Warriors is not as impressive as it used to be. Any team that made the second round of the NCAA Tournament has a real shot at defeating Golden State at this point.
Yet, the ongoing narrative is that the Pistons aren’t ready for the postseason without Cunningham. That is despite four straight wins without their captain and the fact he will likely return before the playoffs begin. It sounds more like wishful thinking on the part of critics and opponents.
Detroit Has More Than One Weapon in its Arsenal
Jalen Duren has played a vital role in the Pistons’ continued success. He recorded double-doubles in three of the four games since Cunningham’s injury, collecting 103 points and 39 rebounds. Daniss Jenkins should also earn more respect. He has started in place of Cunningham and delivered in a big way. Jenkins tallied a career-high 30 points along with four rebounds, and eight assists against the Lakers. That was on 61.1% shooting from the field (11-18) and 80% from the three-point line (4-5).
On top of that, guys like Duncan Robinson and Tobias Harris remain as consistent and reliable as ever. That doesn’t even consider the array of bench players who have made clutch shots and massive defensive plays. Opponents are making a grave mistake by counting this team out in Cunningham’s absence.
There is no doubt that Cunningham is important to Detroit. He’s their top player, the man who sets the tone on the court. He’s not the whole identity of the team, though. This is a tough-as-nails crew that plays physical, defensive-minded basketball. They got to the top of the Eastern Conference by grinding their opponents down, which hasn’t changed. What the rest of the league should worry about is how dangerous the Pistons will be in the playoffs once Cunningham returns.
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