Why Pistons Star Cade Cunningham Owes Comedian Ron Taylor a Big Apology

Ron Taylor has a Netflix special coming. He has a venue in mind for it. He also has a Detroit Piston who owes him an apology.

The Funny AF with Kevin Hart winner laid out his plan to Rich. Tour first. Build new material on a new, larger audience. Then, six months to a year out, tape the hour. The venue Ron wants is the Fox Theater in Downtown Detroit.

The Fox Theater is also where, in April of 1993, Ron was not yet born and Rich saw the cast of The Jeffersons perform live on stage. The conversation briefly detoured into haunted-theater territory before returning to which Detroit sports star should introduce Ron at the eventual taping.

Ron worked through the Pistons of his youth out loud. Rip Hamilton was the first ask. Chauncey Billups was "a bit tied up." Rasheed Wallace was wonderful but lives in Portland, though Ron noted he could honor Wallace with a streak in his hair.

Then Ron landed on a current Piston.

"Give me Cade," he said. "He's doing well right now."

That is where the apology came in.

"I'm going to need Cade to apologize to me as well," Ron told Rich.

The story unfolded. The Pistons, in LA earlier in the year, came to the Improv to see Ron and fellow Detroit comedian CP perform. The crowd was good. The Pistons in attendance were not.

"They had a bunch of Detroiters, myself, CP, me and CP," Ron said. "And they did not want to laugh."

Ron, frustrated, addressed the Pistons directly from the stage. The Pistons were having a strong season. The room was warm to everyone else. He wanted them to know it.

"You all are doing well," Ron told them from the stage. "We're doing fine. You guys are sucking right now. It'd be different if you all were the Warriors. Y'all should be chuckling it up right now."

Rich liked the framing but suggested a reset. The proper phrasing for what Cade Cunningham owes Ron, Rich said, is not an apology.

"Instead of apologizing, he owes you," Rich said.

Ron took it.

"That really hurt my feelings," Ron said. "I worked hard on those jokes. You guys should have given it up like I've given it up to you all."

The closer was the long-term plan. Rich offered to work the room toward the Palace at Auburn Hills. Ron pointed out the Palace had been demolished.

Little Caesars Arena, both agreed, would do just fine.