On behalf of the Detroit Pistons, Cade Cunningham doesn't mind being counted out by many as one of the best teams in the NBA.
Credit Image AP – Scanpix
Cade Cunningham is fully embracing that underdog mindset and identity with the Detroit Pistons.
The NBA superstar couldn't care less despite being overlooked by many as one of the league's top teams.
"I still feel like we're a little slept on, man. I still feel like people don't really give us the credit that maybe we have earned," Cunningham told reporters.
"But again, that's the beauty of it. I think that's part of being in Detroit."
Cade Cunningham, Pistons living up to the underdog identity
The Detroit Pistons were coming off a sensational 60-win season, where they topped the entire Eastern Conference in 2025-26. Cade Cunningham became an MVP candidate and a bona fide superstar, while Jalen Duren enjoyed a breakout year by securing his first All-Star and All-NBA nod.
However, the Pistons have not gained much attention entering next week's NBA season. While many fans and pundits are particularly intrigued by the major developments across the East from Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Miami Heat, Kawhi Leonard reuniting with the Toronto Raptors, and the Philadelphia 76ers gaining LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, there has been little narrative or hype for the Pistons' looming campaign.
In the end, Cunningham is even more motivated to rally the Pistons behind him to prove their last year's success is not a fluke.
"I think that's part of being a team that is young and people don't really expect much versus other teams that have bigger names or whatever you wanna call it. So we don't really worry too much about that stuff," he added.
"We just gotta go out there and do our jobs at the highest level and represent."
Cunningham and the Pistons will open their season on Oct. 20 against the Boston Celtics.
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