How big of a year two leap can Cade Cunningham make?
2021 first overall pick Cade Cunningham was considered one of the most talented all-around players to come out of the draft since LeBron James. Heading into year two, we might see him begin to showcase that prodigious talent earlier than expected.
In his rookie year, Cunningham averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. He enters the 2022 season as the Pistons clear number one option with Jerami Grant having been traded to the Portland Trailblazers. The numbers themselves are already impressive for a rookie, but what those stats don’t show is his impact on the floor.
As the season went along, Cade became more comfortable in his role as he acclimated to the pace of the NBA. Cade averaged 21.1 points, 6.5 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 20 games after the All-Star break, including 23 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds in March alone. Very few rookies in the history of the league have put up those kinds of numbers while also being the focal point of the opposition’s best defenders.
Cade is heading into the year with a chip on his shoulder as well, finishing third in the rookie of the year race behind winner Scottie Barnes of the Raptors and Evan Mobley of the Cavaliers. The main two factors that prevented Cade from winning was his “slow start” to the season last year, and the Pistons poor overall record, while Barnes & Mobley made it to the 1st round and Play In games respectively.
Fans, and to a certain extent the media as well, tend not to watch your team unless they are successful. And by virtually every metric, the Pistons weren’t successful last year. In fact you could argue most nights consisted of some ugly basketball being played. However, major upgrades to Detroit’s roster could bring the best out of Cade in many ways.
The Pistons had one of their best draft nights in a long time, selecting combo guard Jaden Ivey and center Jalen Duren, who could both be starting every night by the All Star Break. Both players are legitimate pieces that fit right alongside Cade and the Detroit Pistons vibe that they’ve been lacking for the better part of the past decade.
With third year forward Saddiq Bey and rookie Jaden Ivey competing to be the Pistons second option behind Cade, the Pistons are suddenly a young exciting team heading into 2022-23. Moreover, the timelines all align so their roster fits perfectly next to each other for the next 5 years as well. Cade had such a lack of production from teammates, that he was consistently double and triple teamed by opponents every game, knowing he was their only offensive threat outside of Bey.
Now, the Pistons have talent up and down the roster which should open the floor up for their franchise point guard, giving him the opportunity to play the style of game he wants. If Cade is able to make that 2nd year leap, it’s not a stretch to think that Pistons fans will soon fill up Little Caesars Arena every night.
The former Cowboy didn’t have fans during his freshman year at Oklahoma State due to Covid, and last year the Pistons were so bad that seats were constantly empty. Watching Cunningham play in front of a capacity crowd could truly be something special for Pistons fans to watch.
With his advanced IQ for a player his age, we could be looking at a potential All-Star selection this upcoming year. He’s always been a smart basketball player, and now he’s had a whole off-season to prepare for the upcoming campaign. Having cut his teeth against NBA competition in year one, Cunningham is poised to be 2022-23’s breakout star if everything goes according to plan.
-Robert Martin
Twitter: @Defense_Rob
Photo: All-Pro Reels. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.