Cade says Pistons need to be realistic after 11th straight loss: 'We're bad'

Cade Cunningham didn't mince words after the Detroit Pistons lost their 11th straight game.

“We got to be realistic about the situation,” said Cunningham after Sunday's 142-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors, according to The Athletic's James L. Edwards III. "It's hard to just be like, 'We're good, we’re good,' you know what I'm saying? Because we’re bad. We have to address that. We have to address what we're not good at. Address it with not only our words but on the court, in the huddles."

The Pistons have not won a game since Oct. 28 against the Chicago Bulls. Over their losing streak, the team ranks 28th in offensive rating (108.6) and 26th in defensive rating (119.2), resulting in the league's third-worst net rating (-10.6). The team has allowed opponents to score an average of 120.7 points during the skid.

Cunningham also said that it's "unacceptable" for the team to have its level of effort questioned, as it should play hard every game.

"We're the youngest team in the league, scrapping and clawing for everything," said Cunningham. "That should be the last thing that needs to be asked of us or talked about, how hard we're competing. That should be a given. When we wake up in the morning, we should be like, 'We got to get to the court.' (Head coach Monty Williams) shouldn't have to ask (about our competitive level). That's something me and (Isaiah Stewart) are also trying to stay vocal about. Everyone has to come with it."

Several key players have been sidelined this campaign. Center Jalen Duren has missed the last four games with an ankle injury, while Killian Hayes was scratched for the first time due to a shoulder sprain. Bojan Bogdanovic and Monte Morris have yet to suit up this season.

The Pistons have a chance to break their losing streak against the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Monday.