Cade Cunningham Rips Teammates: “Unacceptable. We’re BAD”

The Detroit Pistons have a No. 1 overall draft pick—a potential franchise player—and a very highly-regarded (and highly-paid) head coach in Monty Williams. That's two very good pieces. But the Pistons as a team are very "bad." Those are the words of Cade Cunningham, that aforementioned franchise player.

Cade Cunningham says the Detroit Pistons are ‘bad’

“We got to be realistic about the situation. It’s hard to just be like, ‘We’re good, we’re good,’ you know what I’m saying? Because we’re bad. We have to address that. We have to address what we’re not good at. Address it with… pic.twitter.com/kMbpzstYZQ

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 20, 2023

“We got to be realistic about the situation," said Cunningham. "It’s hard to just be like, ‘We’re good, we’re good,’ you know what I’m saying? Because we’re bad. We have to address that. We have to address what we’re not good at. Address it with not only our words but on the court, in the huddles.” 

And the 2021 first-overall pick pins much of that on their compete level, calling it:

“Unacceptable.

“We’re the youngest team in the league, scrapping and clawing for everything. That should be the last thing that needs to be asked of us or talked about; how hard we’re competing. That should be a given. When we wake up in the morning, we should be like, ‘We got to get to the court.’ (Head coach Monty Williams) shouldn’t have to ask (about our competitive level). That’s something me and (Isaiah Stewart) are also trying to stay vocal about. Everyone has to come with it.”

So far, the only thing the Pistons are competing for is the worst record in the NBA. Again. 2-12 through 14 games this year. And at 17-65, they were the worst team in the league last season as well, a full five games below any other squad. 

They can't blame this season on Dwane Casey, at least. 

As for Cunningham, the 22-year-old is coming back from a lost season in which he played only 12 games, to this year averaging 21 points, 7.1 assists and 3.8 boards through the first 14 contests.

Photo: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports