The Detroit Pistons had been one of many largest surprises of final season as they made it to the playoffs after a disastrous 2023-24 marketing campaign.
Led by Cade Cunningham, the Detroit Pistons confirmed grit and resilience to make it to the playoffs as a high six seed.
They confronted the New York Knicks within the first spherical and though they misplaced there, the Pistons confirmed the world what they may do within the coming years.
One of many key gamers for them of their sensible season was Tim Hardaway Jr., who moved to the Denver Nuggets in free company.
Nevertheless, he has given reward to the Pistons and particularly one of many star gamers on the crew for his maturity.
Cunningham had a breakout marketing campaign final 12 months as he averaged 26.1 PPG, 9.1 APG and 6.1 RPG, whereas additionally making the All-Star and All-NBA crew.
He led the best way from the entrance, and his performances helped him earn reward from analysts and present gamers, together with Draymond Inexperienced.
Hardaway Jr. had a stellar season taking part in alongside Cunningham, and on his latest podcast look, gave the younger star flowers for his performances.
He mentioned: “I feel he’s far more mature than his age. His mindset, the best way he takes care of his physique, the best way he goes on the market and works on his craft appears like he’s been within the league for over a decade.
“He does an unimaginable job of taking part in at his tempo. Actually doesn’t have any weaknesses. Three stage scorer, would dunk on you if he has to, can play each ends of the ground which is considerably uncommon within the league.
Hardaway Jr. identified Cunningham’s skill to protect the opposition crew’s greatest participant all through the evening, and the way he takes up challenges from coaches to do the identical.
“You may have some star participant that can play protection, however prefer it’s like very uncommon star gamers take the problem of guarding different crew’s greatest participant all through the entire total evening,” he added.
Isaiah Stewart is a participant who divides the NBA neighborhood.
Whereas his teammates love him for his contributions, the opposition don’t benefit from the fixed chaos and selecting of fights Stewart brings to the sport.
He has been concerned in a number of scuffles all through his profession, together with the notorious incident in opposition to LeBron James in 2021.
However Hardaway Jr. revealed that regardless of all of the toughness on the court docket, Stewart was a stunning individual exterior the sport.
“Isaiah Stewart might be top-of-the-line teammates I’ve ever had man.
“He has the guts of gold, wouldn’t damage a fly, however when he steps in between the traces, I don’t know what triggers him or what occurs, however he turns into one thing you may’t actually educate,” he mentioned.
The previous Pistons participant then went on to talk about how Stewart’s mentality helped the crew as an entire.
Hardaway Jr. added: “That proper there, that kind of angle and that kind of power he introduced it form of molded what the Pistons had been about again within the day and it gave us the power to go on the market and do no matter to win, however Stew man, he’s a very good dude, a extremely good dude.”
