How the New Pistons Conquered the NBA
The Detroit Pistons went from being the worst NBA team to leaders of the Eastern Conference. Cade Cunningham and his teammates embody the spirit of the historic Bad Boys with an iron defense and a warrior mentality.
Feb 2, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) and guard Cade Cunningham (2) reacts to a call in the second half against the LA Clippers at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Photo Credit : © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Just two years ago, the Detroit Pistons were synonymous with defeat.The Michigan franchise had ended the 2023–2024 season with a disastrous 14–68 record, the worst in its history. A brutal stretch of 28 consecutive losses left a lasting mark, and head coach Monty Williams was dismissed after just one season.
Now, Detroit finds itself at the top of the Eastern Conference as the projected No. 1 seed. This remarkable turnaround has been built on a return to the principles that once defined the Pistons: relentless defense and an unbreakable team identity.
This pregame moment between JB Bickerstaff, his staff and Pistons players before taking on the Nets 😂
It’s Bickerstaff’s birthday today 🥳
Detroit is looking to snap its 4-game losing streak.pic.twitter.com/5K0HjM0LeB
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 10, 2026
Cade Cunningham, the Leader of a Historic Renaissance
At the heart of this resurgence is Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-6 point guard remained committed to the team even during the painful 28-game losing streak: “When we had that streak, we were talking about championships, believe it or not… Being where we are now is cool. But it’s just a step in this process. We still have a long way to go.”
This season, Cunningham has established himself as one of the top guards in the Eastern Conference and is firmly in the MVP conversation. His numbers speak for themselves: 25.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game. He leads the league with 508 total assists, and Detroit outperforms opponents by +10.2 points per 100 possessions when he is on the floor.
His partnership with Jalen Duren (6’10 », 250lbs) in the pick-and-roll wreaks havoc. The center averages 18.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game with 63.4% shooting. Almost all his attempts are near the rim, and his 7.3 field goals per game are mostly dunks. The Pistons score over 60 points in the paint per game and have exceeded 70 on several occasions.
An Iron Defense Inherited from the Bad Boys
The arrival of coach JB Bickerstaff and executive Trajan Langdon in summer 2024 helped structure this talented young team. After finishing among the worst defenses in the league, Detroit climbed to second in defensive rating at the 2024-2025 mid-season. The addition of veterans like Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert and Javonte Green, as well as the emergence of Daniss Jenkins and Paul Reed, strengthened the rotation.
In the locker room, the expression « New Bad Boys » circulates in reference to the championship brutality of the early 1990s. This mindset manifested during a memorable brawl against Charlotte on February 9, when Isaiah Stewart – nicknamed « Beef Stew » – left the bench to join the melee involving Duren and Moussa Diabaté. Stewart received a seven-game suspension, Duren two, but the Pistons’ ascent continued.
The only notable weakness remains three-point shooting. Detroit ranks just 22nd in percentage (34.9%), 27th in attempts (31.8), and 28th in makes (11.1) per game. That limitation could become an issue in the playoffs, where the inability to generate consistent perimeter volume often proves costly.
For several years, the Pistons absorbed the blows and kept pushing forward through difficult seasons. Now, the momentum has shifted — and Detroit looks ready to start delivering the punches.
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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