JB Bickerstaff hits back at comments about Cade Cunningham needing to leave the Pistons

Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff continues to make a strong impression in his first season with the franchise.

A the viral clip was circulating on the Players Choice Podcast starring the former Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas viewed rush hour Cade Cunningham‘s performance against the New York Knicks. Arenas described Cunningham’s game as a “big city game” that needs more attention outside of Detroit with the Pistons. Bickerstaff stood up for his team in disagreement with a comment during the pregame media session before tipoff against the Indiana Pacers.

“I just wouldn’t agree.” Kevin Durant was pretty good in Oklahoma City, Tim Duncan was pretty good in San Antonio. “Today, basketball travels,” Bickerstaff said. “There was a time when you had to be in New York or LA or Boston to be able to sell … but Detroit was winning championships with a certain style of play.”

Cunningham’s breakout season was one of the brightest spotlights of the 2024-25 NBA season. The 6’7 guard is averaging career high numbers, which has led to a huge surge for the Pistons. After finishing 14-68 last season, Detroit is one of the biggest surprises in the league, with a 21-19 record that puts them seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Bickerstaff continued with his answer to how players have created successful careers outside of the big markets. He even cited Pistons of the past who could have made a big name for themselves.

“You’d be hard-pressed to tell me that Chauncey Billups, Joe Dumars, Isaiah Thomas, Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton … I could go on and on about those guys that they didn’t have to be somewhere else to get the job done,” Bickerstaff explained. “I don’t agree with that and I think there’s a lot of facts behind it.”

Cunningham is seventh in All-Star voting

The Pistons’ push to become a franchise player as an All-Star continues to draw attention. Cunningham is currently seventh among Eastern Conference guards in the final vote count for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game.

Since voting began, he received 582,617 votes from fans, NBA media and players. Cunningham sits behind LaMel Ball (1,908,967), Donovan Mitchell (1,554,204, Damian Lillard (1,270,187), Jaylen Brunson (1,243,385), Trae Young (705,936) and Tyrese Mitchell (91,988). ba).at 23:59 EST Bickerstaff made a final argument as to why Cunningham deserves more attention.

“You have to paint a complete picture of who Cade is. I think a lot of times when you see guys have great seasons, they do a really good job of having an individual great season. If you look at this team, Cade is having a great season, but he’s also lifting others around him to have a great season,” Bickerstaff said. “He didn’t have to take from anyone else, and what’s more, he poured into everyone else.” So not only does he have his number and he has career years, but he’s helping other players and getting better individually and being the glue that helped the team get better.”

“The numbers speak for themselves. His ability to be a two-way player; we put him among the best perimeter players on other teams. We ask him to carry that burden. He impacts the game defensively, rebounds the basketball, assists and scores and is a hell of a human being. If you want to personify someone and this league wants to highlight those types of people, Cade fits the bill.