The Detroit Pistons are building a perennial contender. Maybe fans already knew that (or simply hoped it was true). But their level of play without Cade Cunningham the past week-plus has shown that, even without their superstar, the Pistons' system works.
An overtime loss against the scorching hot Atlanta Hawks is the only thing standing between the Pistons and a 5-0 record since Cunningham was ruled out indefinitely with a minor collapsed lung. Instead, they will happily settle for a 4-1 mark without their MVP candidate, with wins against the Lakers, (skeleton) Warriors, Wizards, and Pelicans. It may not be a murderer's row of opponents, but that Lakers win is massively impressive on its own.
Plus, it wasn't long ago when the Pistons without Cade (and even with him, to be fair) were on the level of the Pelicans and Wizards. So it's still worth celebrating those wins. The Cade-less Pistons are a better NBA team than about half of the Eastern Conference!
In these five games, which is a small sample size to be fair, they're No. 5 in defensive rating — and that's how they have stayed on pace. Offensively, they're fine (No. 14), but head coach JB Bickerstaff has clearly instilled defensive intensity in this team no matter who's on the floor.
Pistons aren't sinking without Cade Cunningham
This has nothing to do with Cunningham, for the record. I won't even entertain the idea that Detroit is better in any sense without him in the lineup. Instead, it's a testament to the roster the front office has built, and the buy-in JB Bickerstaff has from his guys.
The impact Daniss Jenkins has had on this franchise can't be overstated. He was thrust into action earlier this season and was marvelous. His role decreased slightly in recent months, but with Cunningham out, he's being asked to contribute more once again, and it's like he hasn't missed a step. He's averaging over 25 minutes per game in March, including over 30 minutes each night since Cade was sidelined.
Jenkins is one of many examples of developmental success by the Pistons organization. Jalen Duren was probably always going to be a monster, but the Pistons have still refined his game from raw talent into dominant big man. Ausar Thompson, Ron Holland II, and Marcus Sasser are all homegrown talent, too, all contributing to varying degrees on the best team in the East.
The system of success has been put into place, so losing one player (even if it's the most important player) won't immediately topple what this team has built. You can't cut the head off the snake, because the snake has a dozen heads.