NBA Weekly: Cade Cunningham is a superstar, the All-Star Game looks set for disaster

[p][b][a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bRDZopkCxvKS6rb2ejvKG?si=0RhsQq07QMatARjJWq2nLQ"]Listen to the article via Spotify here[/a][/b].[/p][h2]Team of the Week: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cleveland-cavaliers/xGk13Tb6/"]Cleveland Cavaliers[/a][/h2][p]10 wins in 11 games. After a sluggish start to the season and mounting rumours of a roster shake-up, the Cavs have finally found their rhythm. It was surprising to see a team that won the Eastern Conference last year suddenly drop to play-in level. But their resurgence has been strong, putting Cleveland back in the top 4 in the East.[/p][p]With [b]James Harden[/b] now in for [b]Darius Garland[/b], the goal is clear: make up for last season’s disappointing playoff run. The title remains the ultimate aim, [b]Donovan Mitchell[/b] is still the leader and the NBA’s fifth-highest scorer. The only concern is the injury to [b]Evan Mobley[/b], who missed most of this run. If he returns at full strength, the Cavs will be serious contenders in the playoffs.[/p][h2]Underperformers of the Week: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/dallas-mavericks/YouS3mEC/"]Dallas Mavericks[/a][/h2][p]This time it’s clear: there’s no play-in ambition in Texas. The Mavs have just lost nine straight games, sealing a season that will end as low as possible. The 2026 draft is expected to be exceptionally deep, and Dallas doesn’t want to miss the chance to add a top college player alongside [b]Cooper Flagg[/b].[/p][embed guid="6b8bc8f3-9f99-4479-9070-426448bfd5d5" url="https://x.com/ESPNInsights/status/2017092239948660825?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The number one pick from the last draft has just put together a strong run, including a 49-point game against Charlotte to break yet another record since his arrival. But now he’s injured, and it wouldn’t be a shock if he’s shut down for the rest of the season. A year after the unforgettable [b]Luka Doncic[/b] trade, the future looks bright, but the present is bleak.[/p][h2]Player of the Week: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/cunningham-cade/0YleT8PG/"]Cade Cunningham[/a][/h2][p]Fun fact: the number one pick in the 2021 draft is actually scoring slightly fewer points than last season (25.3 compared to 26.1). The difference? The Pistons finished sixth last year, but this time, they’re on track to finish the regular season at the top of the Eastern Conference. And that’s mainly thanks to their two-time All-Star point guard.[/p][p]He’s the league’s second-best playmaker (9.6 assists), exactly the floor general Detroit hoped for when they drafted him in 2021. The Pistons are on a roll, having won eight of their last ten games, and with a five-game lead over the Celtics, home-court advantage in the playoffs is within reach. As for Cunningham, a top-five MVP finish is within his grasp, with even more to come as he enters his prime.[/p][h2]Play of the Week: Quentin Jackson[/h2][p]There have been plenty of highlight-reel dunks in the NBA lately, but we’re picking the one from the Pacer. Why? At full speed, it’s a guaranteed spectacle, and poor [b]Egor Demin[/b] gets his “welcome to the league” moment in his rookie season.[/p][embed guid="b75b7155-703f-444b-ac77-4a78a133f559" url="https://x.com/NBA/status/2021760579984085009?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][h2]Story of the Week: The All-Star Game is Falling Apart[/h2][p]It’s been almost ten years since the All-Star Game abandoned the traditional East vs. West format in favour of constant changes. Quarters as mini-games, team captains drafting their own squads, two, three, even four teams, with celebrity coaches or former pros. None of it has worked—the event has lost all meaning. And this year, it could hit a new low.[/p][p]Two American teams and one international team. The selection criteria are unclear. But more importantly, the conference system has been tossed aside. With [b]Steph Curry[/b] (West) out, he’s replaced by [b]Brandon Ingram[/b] (East). Then [b]Giannis Antetokounmpo[/b] (East) is also out, and [b]De'Aaron Fox[/b] (West) takes his place. But to balance the international team, [b]Norman Powell[/b] (American-Jamaican) steps in. Confused yet?[/p][p]So are we. The All-Star Game lost its substance a long time ago. All fans want is a high-intensity game featuring the NBA’s best, eager to show why they’re stars. Instead, we get players who don’t want to risk injury before the playoffs, a league that goes along with it and creates smokescreens to distract from the issue, and ever more complicated game formats.[/p][p]See you next year for exactly the same analysis.[/p]