Detroit Pistons Explodes After Major Sports Outlet Undervalues Cade Cunningham Lineup With Shocking “D” Grade: "Engagement farming final boss"

Bleacher Report is not impressed with the Detroit Pistons’ starting lineup. The publication gave the quintet of Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson and Tobias Harris a “D” on Thursday. BR gave better grades to the Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans and other teams with losing records.

The Pistons’ social media team blasted the rating with a message on X on Thursday:

“The only thing more horrendous than this take is that 2021 re-draft y’all just dropped… “Engagement farming final boss @BleacherReport.”

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BR’s Grant Hughes noted the Pistons’ “terrific start” and interior dominance on both ends. Following a 124-113 win against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, the Pistons improved their record to 10-2, the second-best in the NBA, just behind the 12-1 Thunder.

However, Hughes added:

“Surprisingly, the team's success hasn't had much to do with its most-used starting five. That group has posted an offensive rating in the 12th percentile and an effective field-goal percentage in the fourth, a huge reason why Detroit has had to work its way out of early holes all year.”

Early this month, Bleacher Report also re-drafted the 2021 class with Evan Mobley, originally at No. 3, the first pick. In BR’s scenario, Mobley, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, goes to the Detroit Pistons. Cade Cunningham, the Pistons’ true star, falls to the Houston Rockets at No. 2.

The Pistons did not hold back in their reaction to both ratings.

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BR urges Detroit Pistons to use more double-big lineups

Tobias Harris’ ankle injury, which he suffered on Nov. 1 against the Dallas Mavericks, has forced the Detroit Pistons to make adjustments. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has inserted center Isaiah Stewart into the starting lineup, a move Bleacher Report liked.

For BR, the Pistons can improve their “D” ranking if they have more frontcourt size. Grant Hughes wrote:

“The Pistons could turn to more double-big groups that include both Duren and Isaiah Stewart. “In fact, they’ve tried that configuration a handful of times since Harris went out with an ankle injury, and the results have been convincing–particularly on offense where the team’s points-per-100 is nearly 15.0 points better.”

Stewart has averaged 10.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and a career-high 2.1 blocks per game. Together with Duren, he has helped make the Detroit Pistons an interior monster on both ends.

The Pistons are 6-0 since losing Harris to an injury. Bickerstaff could keep using a double-center starting unit to keep their sizzling form going.

Edited by Michael Macasero