Miles Vedder

Denver | A-Team

[NBA @NBA]

DETROIT SEEKS 8TH STRAIGHT DUB vs. CHICAGO

Dec. 21, 2023. The shortest day of the year was one of Detroit’s longest.

The Pistons had just lost on their home floor to the shorthanded Jazz, falling to 2-26.

It was their 25th straight loss – one shy of the NBA single-season record. But Cade Cunningham refused to waver.

“We’re not 2-26 bad. No way,” said Cunningham postgame. “So yes, I think we can turn it around. I think we can play a lot better brand of basketball.” That, they have.

Detroit finished 2023-24 in dead last — 50 games back of 1st place in the East. A season later, it tripled its win total. Now, it sits atop the conference at 9-2 — its best start since 2005.

The key? The brand of basketball Cunningham envisioned — the same one that’s defined Detroit’s greatest teams: grit, defense and togetherness.

“Everything that we do is together,” said coach J.B. Bickerstaff after Monday’s win. “It’s top to bottom. These guys are doing whatever it takes to win.”

That sacrifice starts defensively.

Detroit boasts the 4th-best DefRtg in the NBA, holding five of its last seven opponents to 110 points or fewer – sparking a seven-game win streak that’s on the line tonight against the Bulls (7pm/et, NBA League Pass).

Motown Muscle: The Pistons are the only team this season ranked top-5 in opponent field goal percentage (No. 2), forced turnovers (4) and rebounds (2).

Rising Force: One reason why? Jalen Duren, who joins Victor Wembanyama as the only players averaging 15+ PTS, 12+ REB+, 1+ STL and 1+ BLK.

Two-Way Problem: That includes six double-doubles amid Detroit’s seven-game streak and 22.9 ppg on 67.5% shooting.

Two-Man Trouble: His distribution source? Cunningham, who has connected with Duren for 29 assists and 13 alley-oops – both the most of any NBA duo.

While Duren’s developed into a beast, Cunningham continues to rise to superstardom, averaging a 30/10 double-double (31.1 ppg, 11.1 apg), with 25+ pts and 10+ ast in each of his last four games – the longest streak in franchise history.

But Cade’s not just the engine. He’s the constant. The tone-setter for Detroit’s grit, growth and revival.

“Unbelievable player. Unbelievable person,” said Bickerstaff of Cunningham last week. “Great teammate. Great leader. Everything you want in a No. 1 guy, Cade’s it.”

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@ManagerTactical @Jadentheman1 You’re a jackass

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@BattlefieldComm This is the best rollout of a game I’ve ever experienced

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@talkSPORT 🏆: Liverpool
🐴: Crystal Palace
❌: Wolves, Burnely, Sunderland
🤴: Cole Palmer
👶: Baleba
👀: Grealish
✍🏽: Sesko
⚽️: Haaland
👨🏼‍💼: Potter

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@markgoldbridge This guy stinks

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@KnicksMuse WOOOOOOOOOOOO

[bwv @blessthe313]

will vest 2025

[Football on TNT Sports @footballontnt]

Full commentary cam from Old Trafford last night 😅🎙️🎥

@rioferdy5 @DFletcherSport @robbiesavage8

[Tom Shepherd @drummertomuk]

This is worth listening to all 2 and half minutes - just incredible radio 🙌🙌#MUFC

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@markgoldbridge All you did was complain about De Gea when we still had him. You celebrate players highs and then ridicule their lows and act like you were on the right side everytime. Just as bad as all the media men you complain about

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@AmorimEra_ You are an idiot

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@AmorimEra_ @FabrizioRomano Concrete possibility. Concrete possibility is what twitter talks about. Holy shit you must be bored

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@utdcynical You’re an idiot

[Big Cat @BarstoolBigCat]

Happy Tarik Skubal wins the Cy Young Day to all those that celebrate

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@mufcMPB @FabrizioRomano No shit

[The Athletic @TheAthletic]

Hmm...

[Justin Spiro @DarkoStateNews]

Something is happening in Detroit.

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@mufcMPB @DiMarzio This club makes me want to blow my brains out

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@Cfc_optaseun @centregoals Antonee Robinson 🇺🇸

[Miles Vedder @milesveddder]

@markgoldbridge Before he got hurt last season he was playing top ball and everybody was loving it. Dont understand why we are crying about a guy who was looking phenomenal the last time he wore the badge. Makes zero sense