DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons haven’t been one of these teams in quite some time.
They’re carving through the Eastern Conference with a 22-6 record against conference foes and a 31-10 overall mark, the second-best record in the NBA.
Teams have to be wary of the Pistons and their overwhelming physicality every time they take the court, which wasn’t a certainty in past years.
There’s a respect for Detroit that’s grown over the past few years coming from leadership changes and roster growth. At the center of it is Cade Cunningham.
The Pistons’ superstar guard and former No. 1 overall draft pick has developed into one of the best players in the league and the validation is only just beginning to show up as Cunningham was elected a starter for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
“Obviously a blessing to be named an All-Star starter,” Cunningham said Monday night after a win over the Boston Celtics. “Super thankful for that. Thankful for my team, my coaches, fans, everybody that voted for me. Means a ton to me and my family.”
Cunningham was cruising to his first-ever spot as a starter — becoming the first Pistons player to do so since Allen Iverson in 2009 — through early fan voting returns, but what made him a lock was being voted the No. 1 player in the East by other NBA players, which makes up 25% of the vote.
Popularity is rising for Cunningham and the Pistons as they’ve made it through the first half of the season with a 13-game winning streak, three wins over the Celtics, a road win against the Los Angeles Lakers and some emphatic revenge over the New York Knicks after being eliminated by them in the playoffs.
Cunningham is one of two players in the NBA averaging 25+ points, 9+ assists and 5+ rebounds, putting him on track for a career year after making an All-NBA team last season.
But it’s that respect from others around the NBA that speaks the most to what Detroit’s done this season.
“More than anything you want respect from your peers, so it means a lot,” Cunningham said. “I think it just is a testament to the amount of success we’ve had as a team.
“I think the league has to respect that. Being the No. 1 team in the East, night in and night out, finding ways to get wins. I think the league respects that and that’s what I appreciate, and that’s what we all want is the respect from our peers.”
The Pistons pride themselves on a team-first mentality and that’s what Cunningham dedicates the honor toward.
But as Cunningham has developed into an MVP-caliber player with MVP-caliber performances, his teammates give him full credit, knowing that it’s his passion toward the team’s goals that bring the individual recognition.
“It’s a testament to the work he’s put in,” center Jalen Duren said. “He’s a guy who comes in, he leads the team, he works his butt off and he deserves it, man. It’s not surprising to me. I expect him to be an All-Star for the rest of his career. So y’all should too.”
Cunningham will now be a two-time All-Star after being named a reserve for last year’s game. He’s the first Piston to go to back-to-back All-Star games since Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton did so in 2007 and 2008.
It’ll be another chance for Cunningham to shine on a big stage, but it’s all prelude to what will be an important second half of the season for Detroit.
Cunningham was among the group last year that got its first taste of postseason life and the cruel reality of an early elimination. The Pistons have their eyes set on more this season than an All-Star nod for their star, but this team is out to earn respect and it’s coming quickly.
“When you go out in a league that’s this competitive with guys that are this competitive and they respect your game at that level, it just talks about exactly what he’s accomplished and the impact that he’s had on the game and this team and organization,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “The impact that he has on his teammates, his coaches, he’s done all those things to deserve it. Coming from guys that you respect, it means a lot.”