Detroit Coach JB Bickerstaff Says Cade Cunningham Is Like Dwyane Wade And An MVP Candidate

Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff thinks Cade Cunningham is playing like an MVP, comparing his skills to NBA legend Dwyane Wade. This praise comes as the Pistons are doing better than expected.
By Newsroom | NBA, Detroit |

Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff has offered considerable praise for Cade Cunningham, highlighting his development as a player and leader. Bickerstaff's remarks, shared across several public statements, suggest a strong belief in Cunningham's abilities and his importance to the team's current trajectory. The coach's assessments touch upon Cunningham's on-court performance, his mental evolution, and his potential impact on the league.

Bickerstaff's Perspective on Cunningham's All-Star Caliber

JB Bickerstaff has publicly affirmed Cade Cunningham's standing as an elite player, stating his belief that Cunningham has earned recognition among the league's best.

JB Bickerstaff on Cade Cunningham: He gets the s*** beat out of him all the time - 1

  • All-Star Selection: Bickerstaff noted Cunningham's selection for the NBA All-Star game, calling it a deserved honor.

  • Player Comparison: The coach has drawn comparisons for Cunningham, likening his belief in himself and his playmaking ability to that of Dwyane Wade during his "Flash" era. Bickerstaff also mentioned the "Neo" (from The Matrix) comparison, suggesting a similar sense of unique capability.

  • Leadership Qualities: Beyond individual performance, Bickerstaff emphasized Cunningham's leadership. He pointed to "how he carries his teammates, his relationships with his teammates, how he chooses to lead" as key attributes that stand out.

Cunningham's Season and Potential MVP Consideration

Recent statements from JB Bickerstaff indicate a belief that Cade Cunningham is performing at a Most Valuable Player (MVP) level, particularly given the Detroit Pistons' unexpected success.

  • MVP Candidate: Bickerstaff suggested that if the season were to end at the time of his statement, Cunningham would be considered the MVP. This assertion was made in the context of Cunningham building his own case for the award amidst other prominent players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.

  • Team Success: A significant factor in Bickerstaff's MVP assessment appears to be Cunningham's role in leading the Detroit Pistons to the top seed in the Eastern Conference, a feat that exceeded preseason predictions.

  • Breakout Campaign: Cunningham's play has been described as a "breakout campaign," with specific mentions of strong performances, including one of his best of the season.

Evidence of Bickerstaff's Support

Several public statements and reports document JB Bickerstaff's positive assessment of Cade Cunningham:

  • In January 2026, Bickerstaff expressed his view that Cunningham deserved his All-Star honor. He also suggested that teammate Jalen Duren was playing at a level that warranted All-Star consideration.

  • During an appearance on the "Road Trippin’ Show," Bickerstaff compared Cunningham's self-belief and playmaking to Dwyane Wade's "Flash" persona.

  • As of December 2024, Bickerstaff was asked about Cunningham's strong play to start the season, noting the player's leadership and how he carries his teammates.

  • More recently, Bickerstaff stated that Cunningham would be the MVP if the season concluded at that moment, highlighting his contributions to the Pistons' leading position in the Eastern Conference.

Expert Analysis

  • The Detroit News has reported on Cunningham's statements regarding setting the tone for the team, underscoring his active role in team dynamics.

  • Reports from ClutchPoints, Hardwood Heroics, Yardbarker, and OpenCourt Basketball have all cited JB Bickerstaff's positive comments regarding Cade Cunningham's performance, leadership, and league standing.

Conclusion and Implications

JB Bickerstaff's consistent and high-level praise for Cade Cunningham underscores the coach's confidence in the player's abilities and his integral role in the Detroit Pistons' current success. The comparisons to Dwyane Wade and the MVP consideration suggest Bickerstaff views Cunningham not only as a star player but as a foundational element of a winning team. This strong endorsement, made publicly and repeatedly, indicates a significant level of trust and belief from the coaching staff. The focus on Cunningham's leadership and mental evolution further suggests a player developing beyond just statistical output.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff praising Cade Cunningham so much?
Coach Bickerstaff believes Cade Cunningham is playing at an MVP level and is a top player in the league. He has also compared Cunningham's confidence and playmaking to NBA legend Dwyane Wade.
Q: What makes Cade Cunningham a potential MVP candidate, according to Coach Bickerstaff?
Bickerstaff thinks Cunningham would be the MVP if the season ended now. This is because Cunningham is leading the Detroit Pistons to be the top team in the Eastern Conference, which is better than many people expected.
Q: How is Cade Cunningham leading the Detroit Pistons this season?
Coach Bickerstaff highlighted Cunningham's leadership, saying he helps his teammates and has good relationships with them. His strong play and leadership are key reasons for the Pistons' success.
Q: When did Coach Bickerstaff make these comments about Cade Cunningham?
Bickerstaff made comments about Cunningham deserving All-Star honors in January 2026. He also compared him to Dwyane Wade recently and stated he was an MVP candidate in February 2026, with other comments made in December 2024.