Hunter Patterson

Pistons had few answers against the Spurs. What does it mean for the playoffs?

The Spurs’ game plan against the Pistons was clear: neutralize Cade Cunningham.

They have a unique group of defenders who were able to do so. More on how San Antonio went about it, and what Detroit can learn from the losses heading into the postseason:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

The Pistons’ fortunes have changed, but Cade Cunningham hasn’t: ‘Stay humble’ (Gift Article) "I'm not here to be just an NBA player. The whole point of all of this is to be a champion, to win and to be great," the All-Star said.

I sat down with Cade Cunningham for an exclusive on the Pistons’ ascension, how he stays grounded and why he isn’t satisfied.

“What’s the point of coming all the way up to the top if you ain’t going to do something with it?”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Jalen Duren steps up with Cade Cunningham out in win over Cavaliers: ‘It’s special, man’ (Gift Article) After Cunningham fouled out, Duren took control for the Pistons in the fourth quarter and overtime against their Eastern Conference rivals.

Jalen Duren is in the midst of the highest-scoring four-game stretch of his career. This is who the Pistons need him to be consistently.

“It’s special, man. It’s everything we talked about, everything we knew he was capable of.”

On Duren’s development:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Ausar Thompson is the Pistons’ floor-raising, defensive dynamo (Gift Article) Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren are Detroit's two best players. But Thompson showed against the Thunder why he's the biggest X-factor.

The Pistons go as Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren go. But Ausar Thompson raises their floor.

“You know how people have offensive modes where they feel like they’re on fire? I feel like I have defensive modes like that.”

On Thompson’s value to Detroit:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

From the DetroitPistons community on Reddit Explore this post and more from the DetroitPistons community

Doing a Reddit AMA this Thursday from 3-4 ET. Tap in and let’s chop it up about the Pistons!

www.reddit.com/r/DetroitPis...

The Spurs exploited the Pistons’ biggest weakness. Detroit plans to learn from it (Gift Article) The Pistons entered Monday's game with the NBA's best winning percentage, but their season-long Achilles heel surfaced in the 114-103 loss.

The Pistons’ inability to defend and shoot the 3 cost them. Factor in Cade Cunningham being contained, and it was a recipe for their 14th loss.

But Detroit is eager to regroup and bounce back.

“We’ve got a week full of smoke — it’s great.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Cade Cunningham makes his MVP case while leading Pistons past Knicks Cunningham had 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds as Detroit completed a season sweep of New York.

“He’s flirting with a triple-double every game. … Why wouldn’t he be the MVP?”

Cade Cunningham made his strongest MVP case yet by dominating the Knicks at MSG.

Here’s more on what last night proved:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Close-knit Pistons soar into the All-Star break with East’s best record (Gift Article) After beating Toronto on the road Wednesday, Detroit sits at 40-13 — the franchise's second-best record at the All-Star break.

“The group is embedded together by the bond that we have with one another.”

The Pistons’ connectivity is the key to their success entering the All-Star break. Here’s more on how they plan to maintain it:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Isaiah Stewart suspended 7 games, 3 others punished for roles in Pistons-Hornets fight The punishment marks Stewart's fifth suspension in six years in the NBA.

More context on Isaiah Stewart’s seven-game suspension, Jalen Duren’s two-game suspension and how it’ll affect the Pistons moving forward:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Pistons overcome fight, embrace physical game to snap Hornets’ nine-game win streak Detroit is now 5 1/2 games clear of the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference

Scuffle aside, the Pistons once again showed why they’re the best team in the East.

Paul Reed played a pivotal role after Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart had been ejected.

“I want my teammates to be able to depend on me. I take a lot of pride in that.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Confrontation between Jalen Duren, Moussa Diabaté sparks Pistons-Hornets brawl Stewart, Duren, Diabaté and Bridges were ejected. Suspensions are likely to follow.

More on last night’s altercation between the Pistons and Hornets that included multiple punches thrown and several ejections:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Pistons’ dismantling of Knicks shows why Detroit believes in its talent and team chemistry (Gift Article) The Eastern Conference's best team has "the perfect world of both" when it comes to talent and team chemistry coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.

The Pistons dismantled the Knicks for the second time in just over a month last night.

Wins like these give credence to Detroit’s decision not to make roster-altering moves.

“Why mess with it? Give it an opportunity.”

Tap in with the gift link:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

How Kevin Huerter plans on fitting with the Pistons: ‘I’ve got to find my way’ Huerter debuted with Detroit in limited minutes during Thursday's loss to the Wizards. Can he help the team's 3-point shooting and spacing?

Kevin Huerter grew up rooting for the Pistons. Now he’s suiting up for his second game in Detroit.

He knows it’s up to him to “fit into” this team’s identity. Here’s how he plans to contribute, how he found out he’d been traded and more:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

What’s next for Pistons after they traded Jaden Ivey in three-team deal Detroit hopes Kevin Huerter can offer more outside shooting, and the team might have more moves to make before Thursday's deadline.

More context on why the Pistons traded Jaden Ivey, details on the pick swap with the Wolves and what Kevin Huerter brings to Detroit:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Jaden Ivey, Mike Conley traded to Bulls in 3-team deal with Pistons, Wolves: Sources The Pistons receive Kevin Huerter in the deal, while Minnesota sends a 2026 first-round pick swap to Detroit to create more flexibility.

Here’s more on the Pistons’ three-team deal that will send Jaden Ivey to the Bulls in return for Kevin Huerter, Dario Šarić and a 2026 first-round pick swap from the Wolves:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

What I’m hearing about the Detroit Pistons at the NBA trade deadline Will Detroit make a big move to go for a shot at the title this year or see what this young group can do in the playoffs?

Here’s the latest on what I’m hearing about the Pistons’ trade deadline approach:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Jalen Duren film study: Pistons center breaks down plays in his own words Pistons center Jalen Duren sits down with Hunter Patterson to analyze film and explain his thought process.

Jalen Duren will join Cade Cunningham in LA as he makes his first All-Star appearance.

Here’s my film study with JD that breaks down his fourth-year leap with the Pistons:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

Cade Cunningham’s growth has earned him respect from some of the NBA’s best defenders “He’s awesome,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Cunningham ahead of Friday's Pistons win. “He reminds me of Luka (Dončić), James Harden."

The game plan to stop Cade Cunningham continues to evolve as he ascends.

I spoke with Dillon Brooks and Draymond Green about how teams try slowing him down.

“To watch someone take that next step and continue to build and grow, I respect that a lot.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Pistons’ center Jalen Duren breaks down plays in his own words: Film study Pistons center Jalen Duren sits down with Hunter Patterson to analyze film and explain his thought process.

Caught up with Jalen Duren for an exclusive film study on his fourth-year leap with the Pistons.

We broke down his thought process on a handful of actions that highlight his growth:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

Pistons overwhelm Nuggets with defensive depth: ‘We’re a nightmare for teams’ Detroit's assembly line of defenders allows it to overcome a bad shooting night like Tuesday's 6 of 31 performance behind the arc.

The Pistons’ defensive depth and versatility were on full display in last night’s win.

“We’re a nightmare for teams.”

Here’s more on their scheme against Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson, and how it made up for another rough outing from distance:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Secret to Isaiah Stewart’s shot-blocking prowess? ‘You can’t be scared to get punched’ "I truly believe I am the best defender in the league," says the Pistons' Stewart.

What makes Isaiah Stewart such an elite rim protector for the Pistons? Timing, film study and not being “scared to get punched.”

An exclusive on the art of shot blocking, his desire to win Defensive Player of the Year and more:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Pistons’ J.B. Bickerstaff named a coach for 2026 NBA All-Star Game Bickerstaff becomes the first Detroit All-Star head coach since the late Flip Saunders, who coached during the 2006 All-Star game.

J.B. Bickerstaff has returned the Pistons to relevance since taking over last season. Now he’s being rewarded as an All-Star coach:

"He's a dawg, too. ... Having him, with his system, it fits Detroit basketball perfectly."

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

Pistons’ need for a second scorer alongside Cade Cunningham is evident in loss to Rockets The loss to the Rockets illustrated just how much the Pistons need a player other than Cunningham who can produce a steady 20 points.

Last night’s Pistons loss exemplified their need for additional support offensively.

Here’s more on the Rockets’ coverages on Cade Cunningham, how Detroit plans to alleviate the pressure teams are applying and why another scorer may be necessary:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

How Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart found motivation in a field trip to Boston "We learned a lot from it," Cade Cunningham says of his 2022 trip to the Eastern Conference finals to watch the Celtics beat the Heat.

Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart sat on TD Garden’s baseline for Game 4 of the 2022 ECF.

I caught up with Cade and Stew for an exclusive on how that night contributed to the Pistons’ current success, as they now sit atop the East.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

Cade Cunningham’s high school experiences forged him into Pistons’ leader "Just trying to connect with people, I think I've always had that in me, but it started in high school," says Cade Cunningham.

Last month I went to Bowie High School to better understand what makes Cade Cunningham the leader he is for the Pistons today.

I spoke exclusively with Cade & those who watched him grow from a freshman into Detroit’s first All-Star starter since 2009:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

Pistons’ fourth-quarter defense comes through again in Detroit: ‘That’s who we are’ "I thought in that second half, and in the fourth quarter in particular, we got stingy," says Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

The Pistons have the NBA’s best fourth-quarter defense over their last six games.

It once again allowed them to overcome challenges offensively. Here’s how Detroit got ‘stingy’ down the stretch Thursday:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...

Pistons at NBA trade deadline: Evaluating potential moves and future projections Former NBA exec John Hollinger talks to Hunter Patterson about what the Pistons should do at the trade deadline.

Teamed up with @johnhollinger.bsky.social to discuss the Pistons’ trade deadline approach and how it could affect their offseason plans.

We got into Jaden Ivey’s future, Tobias Harris’ value, Daniss Jenkins’ contract and more:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Who can the Pistons target with their trade exception? The Pistons have roughly $14.2 million to spend in TPE. Which players might fit the bill?

The trade deadline is just a few weeks away.

Here’s more on the Pistons’ TPE, plus a handful of players they could look to target with it:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Pistons send message to Knicks and the NBA: They’re the team to beat in the East Despite missing two starters, Detroit blew out New York on Monday on the second night of a back-to-back.

The Pistons made a proclamation with last night’s dominant win over the Knicks:

The East officially runs through Detroit.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris out vs. Cavaliers amid Pistons’ injury woes Their absences will temporarily thin the Pistons' frontcourt depth, which means more minutes for players like Isaiah Stewart and Paul Reed.

Here’s more on Duren, Harris and LeVert’s injuries and what they mean for the Pistons:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...