Cade Cunningham is playing the best basketball of his career and steering the Pistons to the top of the Eastern Conference, and he’s quick to credit one steady presence behind the scenes.
Assistant coach Jarrett Jack has played a significant role in Cunningham’s growth, writes Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press.
When then-head coach Monty Williams assembled his staff, Jack was intentionally paired with Cunningham, creating a daily routine that includes one-on-one work, pregame preparation and constant dialogue during games.
“He’s always making jokes, always being funny, talking about he could’ve did this or I ain’t that, whatever,” Cunningham said. “It’s cool, man. He just knows how to read the room. That’s the type of stuff that allows the culture to be what it is. He’s one of the main ones that’s helped build this culture that we got.”
That culture showed itself again in Cleveland.
Detroit’s win over the Cavaliers carried added meaning, marking the Pistons’ first road victory against the Cavs since J.B. Bickerstaff made the move from Cleveland to Detroit, writes Hunter Patterson of The Athletic.
“I feel like we’ve got to have his back coming into here,” Isaiah Stewart said. “I know they get up to play against J.B. every single time. So it was important for us to get this win tonight.”
The Cavaliers had gone 4-1 against their former coach entering the game, making this one a little sweeter for a Pistons team that continues to check off milestones.
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