Isaiah Stewart and Cade Cunningham: From Baseline Observers to Eastern Conference Leaders

## From Baseline to the Top: Isaiah Stewart and Cade Cunningham’s Rise with the Detroit Pistons

DETROIT – Cade Cunningham recalls a pivotal moment during his rookie season with the Detroit Pistons. Then-coach Dwane Casey proposed a unique learning experience: attending Game 4 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Alongside sophomore Isaiah Stewart, Cunningham sat on the baseline, absorbing the intensity of playoff basketball.

At the time, the Pistons were rebuilding, finishing with a 23-win season and ranking near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Casey believed this firsthand exposure would be invaluable for his young stars. Cunningham and Stewart watched as the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals, ultimately falling to the Golden State Warriors in six games.

Fast forward nearly four years, and the narrative has dramatically shifted. Cunningham and Stewart now stand as the cornerstones of a Pistons team (31-10) that not only leads the Eastern Conference but is also a legitimate contender in the entire NBA. Their journey from observers to leaders is a testament to their dedication and growth.

“It was my first time being down on the floor for playoff basketball,” Cunningham shared with The Athletic after leading Detroit to a 104-103 victory over Boston on Monday. “TD Garden is just different when it gets loud. Seeing how the Heat approached sticking together, their demeanor… we learned a lot from it.”

Cunningham was particularly struck by Miami’s composure despite a 20-point loss. He demonstrated similar poise in the Pistons’ recent win, orchestrating the offense with 14 assists – more than the entire Celtics team – and remarkably, without a single turnover. This ability to impact winning beyond scoring solidifies Cunningham’s status as a deserving All-Star starter, the first for the Pistons since Allen Iverson in 2009.

Tobias Harris contributed significantly with a team-high 25 points, hitting crucial shots down the stretch. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has consistently praised Harris as a “safety blanket” for his steadying presence.

Isaiah Stewart, playing 21 minutes off the bench, was a team-best +8. He’s become adept at maximizing his playing time, consistently delivering momentum-shifting blocks. His 2.0 blocks per game rank third in the league, as evidenced by his rejection of Celtics’ 7-footer Neemias Queta.

Stewart recalls the hope he and Cunningham shared while watching that 2022 playoff game. “I didn’t know what it was going to look like,” Stewart told The Athletic in November. “I knew we were working toward it. Cade’s such a competitor; I’m such a competitor. At that time, we were just wishing, like, ‘We’ve gotta get here.’ To be where we’re at right now… it’s a great feeling to look back at that.”

Jalen Duren nearly recorded his 20th double-double of the season with 18 points and nine rebounds. While he didn’t share the same experience as Cunningham and Stewart, he understands the power of visualization. “That helps you see what it takes, what it looks like, what the atmosphere is like,” Duren said. “That’s something they hold onto and don’t forget.”

The Pistons currently hold a 5.5-game lead over the Celtics and boast the second-best record in the NBA. They’ve openly expressed championship aspirations. Coach Bickerstaff believes wins like the one against Boston are crucial for “testing their mettle” and “sharpening their tools.”

Dwane Casey, now a senior advisor for the Pistons, emphasized the growth of Cunningham and Stewart. “I remember (Cunningham and Stewart) coming in as rookies trying to learn everything… To see Cade growing not only into an All-Star, but he’s going to be in the MVP conversation… it’s unbelievable.”

**Source:** [The Athletic – Pistons’ Cunningham and Stewart Reflect on Playoff Inspiration](https://theathletic.com/4989991/2024/01/22/pistons-cunningham-stewart-playoffs-heat-celtics/)