The camcorder was in Cade Cunningham’s hand before he and Ausar Thompson even boarded their flight from Chicago. The duo had just helped lead the Detroit Pistons to two wins over the Chicago Bulls and were on their way to San Francisco for their first All-Star weekend.
As Cunningham walked from the bus to the private plane awaiting him and Thompson, he couldn’t help but smile. It was a stark contrast from the quiet plane rides last year he spoke to The Athletic about earlier this season.
The flight time from Chicago to San Francisco is roughly five hours. So when did it hit him that he was officially an All-Star?
“I think really just touching down and being like, ‘I’m here.’” Cunningham said. “I’m here for the big game. I think that was the first moment it kind of settled in for me.”
Cunningham’s weekend was a culmination of his work dating to his childhood in Arlington, Texas. But the weekend especially validated him after his introduction to the league. In the first three seasons of his NBA career, he’d won a combined 54 games. This season alone he’s led the Pistons to 29.
Ausar & Cade have arrived in The Bay📍#DetroitBasketball x @NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/HZfynQlZcl
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 14, 2025
Gone are the days of Detroit being an easy win, thanks in part to Cunningham. He’s spearheaded the Pistons’ return to relevance, and his time at All-Star weekend stamped him as one of the league’s elite talents.
Cunningham’s selection makes him the first Pistons player in the All-Star game since Blake Griffin in 2019 and the first Detroit guard since Allen Iverson in 2009. Cunningham was 7 years old when Iverson made his appearance.
He embraced making history for Detroit ahead of his debut.
“It feels great to play for the Pistons. Obviously, we have a super passionate fan base,” Cunningham said. “That definitely plays into the commitment to the organization and city, the amount of love they give back to you. All of it plays a huge role in why I’m so passionate about the Pistons, the city and the organization. It’s fun and I’m glad I get to represent them.”
LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green had all publicly advocated for Cunningham’s All-Star bid leading up to the weekend, and all were in attendance when Cunningham made his debut. Cunningham didn’t get to share the floor with Durant because of the new All-Star format, and James because of his last-minute withdrawal with an injury.
GO DEEPER
Cade Cunningham says Kevin Durant’s praise of his game ‘validates my work’
The weekend started for Cunningham on Friday night, when he took his seat courtside to support Thompson, who was playing alongside his brother, Amen, in the Rising Stars game as Cunningham made his way to the hardwood as a spectator.
“I heard ‘Something, something, A.T.’ I turned to my right and he had some purple on, didn’t he?” Thompson said postgame of hearing Cunningham. “I saw some purple with the (camcorder) and laughed. It was super cool but it was weird, I’m not going to lie. But it was super cool, I’m happy he came out to support.”
Next on the agenda for Cunningham was the All-Star practice in Oakland on Saturday morning. The teams installed a few plays and allowed players to mingle among themselves and with fans. Cunningham did media with multiple outlets, then made time for local Detroit writers.
Speaking with Cunningham, it was obvious he was thrilled to be in San Francisco. But he wasn’t satisfied.
“It’s cool, man. This is what I planned on, though,” Cunningham said from a hall in the Oakland Arena. “This is what I saw for myself. To be in this position now is a great feeling, but there’s definitely more steps to climb. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and all the things to come.”
In the evening, Cunningham laced up his custom Nike G.T. Cut 3s for the 3-point contest. When he was initially announced as a participant, it likely came as a surprise to Pistons fans given the way Malik Beasley has been shooting the ball. Cunningham said Beasley made sure to give him some pointers ahead of time.
Cunningham finished with 16 points but was eliminated shortly after when Jalen Brunson made 18.
First All-Star Saturday night in the books for Cade pic.twitter.com/1brvEkK9pq
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 16, 2025
“I caught my rhythm too late,” Cunningham said. “The first two racks, it felt like they were all missing a little bit off. But it was a lot of fun to do it. I’m glad I got to experience it for the first time.”
When asked if Beasley’s advice helped, he said, “Yeah, but I don’t think I applied it too well.”
The main event came Sunday when Cunningham heard his name announced as an All-Star for the first time.
The first year of the new format with three teams of All-Stars and the Rising Stars making it to Sunday was a work in progress, to say the least. But regardless, Cunningham had his moment against Charles Barkley’s Global Stars team.
He knocked down his first 3-point attempt and punched home a one-handed dunk with Victor Wembanyama lurking behind him. Due to the format, Cunningham’s time on the floor during the All-Star game was short-lived, but he’ll still have core memories from his weekend.
THROW IT DOWN CADE 👀#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/iOzrTQMf3Z
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 17, 2025
“Mainly just (being) with the OG All-Stars, I’d say them. Just being able to enjoy the All-Star experience with them and be on the court. To be a part of that group is amazing.”
(Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
