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The Detroit Pistons, currently grappling with a prolonged losing streak, received a dose of harsh reality from Cade Cunningham, their star player. His candid assessment after yet another defeat highlights the team's ongoing struggles in the NBA.
Facing the Hard Truth
In the wake of a crushing 142-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors, Cade Cunningham, the Pistons' top draft pick from 2021, did not mince words about the team's performance. "It's hard to just be like, 'Oh we're good, we're good,' because we're bad.
We've got to address that," Cunningham stated on Sunday. His remarks come as the Pistons find themselves at the bottom of the NBA standings with a disheartening 2-12 record. This latest defeat adds to a distressing pattern for Detroit, marking their third losing streak of at least 11 games since last season.
The team's last win, a distant memory, was against the Chicago Bulls on October 28.
A Leadership Crisis and a Grueling Schedule Ahead
First-year coach Monty Williams pointed out the challenges faced by some of his players in adapting to the league's demands.
"I think a few of our guys are dealing with how hard the league is," Williams said. However, he also expressed disappointment at the team's competitive spirit, or lack thereof, in recent games. Cunningham, who scored 18 points in Sunday’s game, was critical of the fact that Williams even had to question the team's level of competition.
"That should be the last thing that needs to be asked of us or talked about -- how hard we're competing," he asserted. Cunningham, along with teammate Isaiah Stewart, has been vocal in encouraging the team to maintain a high level of engagement and effort.
The road ahead does not promise any respite for the beleaguered Pistons. With nine of their next ten games against teams with winning records, including a match-up with the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets, Detroit faces a daunting task to turn their fortunes around.
As the Pistons navigate this challenging phase, Cunningham's honest evaluation serves as a rallying cry for the team to confront their difficulties head-on and strive for improvement in a highly competitive league.