The Detroit Pistons are hoping to forget last season when they became the new owners of the worst losing streak in NBA history by taking forward steps in 2024-25. New head coach J.B. Bickerstaff is trying to change the culture of the squad as a whole, recently instituting a dress code outlawing hoodies and jewelry at practice to build an old-school mentality, according to The Atheltic .
"Just the last shred of that old-school mentality. Just growing up with my dad, you don't wear anything on your head during the game. You don't wear jewelry. You practice how you play."
Franchise point guard Cade Cunningham reacted to the news by comparing it to school but understanding the value of imbibing professionalism into the squad.
"You know, in school classrooms a lot of times, teachers say, 'Take your hood off,' so it's all the same thing. It's just about being professional and being ready to play."
Bickerstaff spent four seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, going 170-159 in the regular season and turning them into a solid Playoff team for the first time in decades without LeBron James on the roster. He's proven his value as a coach who can turn franchises around, with the Pistons hoping he can do the same for them.
J.B Bickerstaff Building A Relationship With Cade Cunningham
The one bright spot for the Pistons last season was the continued growth of former No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham, who averaged 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.5 assists last season.
With Cunningham viewed as the franchise point guard, the roster will be built around him. Coach Bickerstaff spoke highly of Cunningham's leadership and commitment to winning after joining the franchise.
“The conversations that I’ve had with Cade, the way that I see how his teammates follow him and the way that he engages his teammates, he wants to be amongst the elites and understands that winning matters in order to be respected by your peers in that way.”
Cade has enjoyed being coached by Bickerstaff as well, expressing his excitement at having a coach with the resume of Bickerstaff after he turned the Cavaliers around.
“Having him come in as somebody that’s been there before, has done that with a young team, it’s exciting for all of us. Just having a fresh start and just having, you know, new energy in the building is huge for me.”
Even with the presence of a potentially generational guard like Cunningham, coach Bickerstaff made it clear that he commits to building a formula to maximize team success, not just one player.
“We feel like we have a formula that helps players. All we’re trying to do is implement that formula to let all of our guys be successful. It’s not just about the one guy. If we’re going to get to where we want to go with this group, we have to develop everybody and help everybody be able to play with that confidence.”
The Pistons are heading into an exciting season, with fourth-year guard Cunningham leading the franchise alongside rookie Ron Holland, sophomore Ausar Thompson, and third-year standouts Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.
Related: 2024-25 Detroit Pistons Projected Starting Lineup
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