NFL
By: Stephen Garner
Cade Cunningham is the best player in the 2021 NBA Draft Class and was aptly drafted as such.
The 6’6 220lb crafty floor general has had a gradual introduction to the riggers the NBA poses for guards and has rolled with the punches.
He’s had his anticipated bouts with turnovers, staying in front of his man, navigating ball screens defensively, and the overall speed and physicality of this level. None come as a surprise at all though as this could be said for most guards that have entered the NBA throughout history.
However, as he’s gotten his feet wet, his touch and feel in pulling strings as leader of the Pistons orchestra have grown. The absence of Jerami Grant has certainly helped expedite his growth as he’s relied upon for more creation on offense, and he’s shown plenty of audacity in taking the keys.
Since the end of November (16 games) he’s averaging 18.1 PPG on 43.3/39.8/82.9 shooting, 5.8 APG, and 5.3 RPG.
Monday night’s career-high in scoring was a showcase of sorts to his game in general, exhibiting both his crafty creativity as well his general growth.
The top pick of 2021’s draft registered 29 points (including 18 in the 3rd quarter) along with 8 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Let’s dive in.
Where he’s already impactful
As a primary ball-handler, he functions extremely well in space or in pick and roll with abilities to change direction and move with great pace, using his size to dictate what happens and when.
He’s effective with the ball of course, but also as a spot-up shooter (35.3% on catch and shoot 3’s) adding to his combo guard versatility. He also has that proverbial switch he can flip, whenever, to score or pass at any given moment. You can see him meticulous in his discernment above (and in his passing clips to come).
He has the ability to stop and pop (or get to the rack) when turning downhill and that, in turn, keeps defenders on a string especially when taking into account his stature. He does leave more to be desired in terms of frequency of attempts at the rim given his size (coincidentally), as attempts from there, account for just 26% of his attempts (with a 53% conversion rate which also leaves more to be desired).
Defenses also cannot fool him per se with coverages, as he’s patient and will make the correct pass for the offense to generate independent of his initiation. He’s in the 99th percentile for assists amongst guys of his stature.
Passes like the first here are next level with the timing, the pace on the pass, and the location it hits the shooter at. That’s good on good.
Speaking to Cade’s stature, it also allows him to be effective defensively versus other guards and even wing types.
He’s very versatile, shows awareness especially in help at the nail, and is good with his hands going for both steals (1.3) and blocks (0.6). He has legit potential to average one of each to compliment his offensive array of ability.
Where there’s room for improvement
He’s a bit slow of foot when on ball, but that aforementioned stature and build allows for him to trail extremely effectively on ball handlers hips when chasing in screen navigation defensively.
Cade does also get hung up on screens more frequently than you’d like, tying into what was said above.
This isn’t particularly a good thing at the point of attack, but Cade’s frame often allows for him to get moderate contests on his closeouts.
He gets caught between decisions or takes unnecessary risks with passes at times too.
As well as having moments lapses in judgment with delivery. These are growing pains of a playmakers transition however and will work themselves out in time.
Cade Cunningham is getting VERY comfortable
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) December 18, 2021
In all, Cade’s validating why he was the 1st overall pick of this draft nightly, and as he continues to ingratiate himself with this stage, growing more comfortable, expect more loud outburst-type games like this one.
This kid “MotorCade” is special and will only grow as the Pistons begin to build around him. Pistons relevance is on the way.
