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Jalen Duren drops Cade Cunningham evaluation before Pistons NBA Playoffs run
TL;DR
Jalen Duren praised Cade Cunningham's evolution as the Detroit Pistons prepare for the NBA Playoffs. The team improved significantly, achieving 60 wins and entering the playoffs as the first seed in the Eastern Conference.
Key points
- Cade Cunningham is an MVP candidate.
- Detroit Pistons achieved 60 wins this season.
- Jalen Duren praised Cunningham's growth.
- Pistons are the first seed in the Eastern Conference.
- Coach J.B. Bickerstaff played a key role in the team's success.
Mentioned in this story
J.B. Bickerstaff
Detroit PistonsCade CunninghamJalen Duren
Jalen Duren drops Cade Cunningham evaluation before Pistons NBA Playoffs run originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Pistons were not supposed to be this good immediately. Two seasons ago, Cade Cunningham only managed to get this team to 14 wins. Fast forward to present day, he is an MVP candidate and are entering the NBA Playoffs with 60 wins as the first seed in the Eastern Conference. No one has seen his growth more than Jalen Duren, who also rose to stardom in the 2025-26 season. The big man even dropped some big words about his running mate.
Duren gets real on Cunningham, Pistons' growth before NBA Playoffs
Adding 16 more wins to a team's record in just a span of a season is not an easy feat. But, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren were able to pull it off with the Pistons. Obviously, they have a great schematic mastermind in Coach J.B. Bickerstaff alongside a great supporting cast too. Although, the big man posits that a lot of their growth leading to the NBA Playoffs was only possible because of Cunningham.
Duren got real on how the Pistons star guard was able to evolve himself to ensure that they kept playing winning basketball, via Hunter Patterson of The Athletic.
"It’s just a testament to the kind of guy he is. He’s super unselfish. Obviously, we know he’s an MVP candidate; he’s a highly-touted player in this league. So he could be trying to go get 30 or 40 every night, and he’s very capable of doing so. But he’s a guy who gets everybody involved from top to bottom. He’s a guy who shares the ball, gets off it early and lets other guys be successful. And that helps our team," the Pistons big man declared.
Q&A
How did Cade Cunningham contribute to the Pistons' success this season?
Cade Cunningham's evolution as a player was crucial for the Pistons, helping the team achieve a remarkable 60 wins and secure the first seed in the Eastern Conference.
What role did Jalen Duren play in the Pistons' playoff run?
Jalen Duren emerged as a star alongside Cade Cunningham, contributing to the team's growth and success leading into the NBA Playoffs.
Who is the coach of the Detroit Pistons and how has he influenced the team?
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been instrumental in the Pistons' improvement, providing a strong tactical framework that supported the team's success this season.