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This assumes he stays healthy and with the Pistons, of course. Despite franchise success we really don't have a really highly rated all-timer. Isiah would probably be highest - 5 time all-NBA, 12 time all-star, 2 titles. Those seem doable on Cade's trajectory.

I personally was less high on Cade and didn't foresee him being quite the player he is this soon. It remains to be seen if he has another gear that makes him a top 3-5 guy at some point. But even at this level, with some longevity and team success, might he have a shot?

Isiah Thomas is one of the greatest players of all-time, period.

But I've always been a huge Cade. He could be the 2nd best Piston ever.

What Isiah Lord Thomas did as a small giant in the physical shady 80s of the nba will never ever be forgotten. He is the GREATEST Piston of all time, period. I don't care what Cade does!

He’d need to win a ring or two with us to realistically be in the conversation.

If he does that it’s certainly not unthinkable though, particularly if Cade stays here and plays further into his 30s than Isiah did.

Nothing is sacred in basketball.

Way too early to consider this though. A lot would need to happen.

He has already had a statistical season only 7 other players in NBA history have ever had. Cade starts winning titles, and he will, without question become the greatest Piston ever. I say that as someone who watched Isiah's prime. Now if he wins an MVP? Even without a title, the argument can be made.

He has a long way to go to reach the legacy of Isiah who is a top 3 PG of all time IMO, I know some others (the analytics junkies in particular) have him lower, one of the best big game players of all time, the best player and leader of a team that went to the ECF's 5 straight years, Finals 3 straight years (should have won in '88 but I digress) and two straight championships during arguably the toughest era of all time. Not to mention the insane competitive drive Isiah had and the will to win at all costs.

I'm a big fan of Cade but I just can't see him ever surpassing Isiah, I just don't see he and the team having that level of potential and that's quite fine as they will shape their own legacy.

Zeke has:

12 all-star appearances
2 NBA Championships
18,882 Pistons career points
9,061 assists

To be in the conversation he'll need....
10+ all-stars
18k+ Points
8k+ Assists
2 Championships or 1 Chip + 1 MVP

Thomas made the NBA Finals in year 7
Won championships in years 8 and 9

Had a short NBA career by todays standards, of just 13 seasons.... so I think Cade really could get him on the longevity factor as well if he can get in 15-16 years and remain mostly healthy I think he's have a solid chance of passing him.... of course its also pretty rare to have an entire NBA career with one team so who knows how that ends up playing out for Detroit.

zeebneeb wrote:He has already had a statistical season only 7 other players in NBA history have ever had. Cade starts winning titles, and he will, without question become the greatest Piston ever. I say that as someone who watched Isiah's prime. Now if he wins an MVP? Even without a title, the argument can be made.

I don’t personally see Cade as being able to surpass Isiah in terms of individual accolades, but that’s just me.

A lot depends on how long he stays here. If he’s gone after this contract he may not pass Grant Hill- who I feel was a better player than Cade has thus far been. He was a top 5 player in year 3.

Here's my top 5 modern day Pistons:
1. Zeke
2. Laimbeer
3. Joe D.
4. Ben
5. Rip/Chauncey

I value peak/ability more than most when it comes to all time rankings. Cade is immensely talented but he has his work cut out for him to catch Isiah. Cade would have to ascend so that he's in the same conversation as SGA, Giannis, and Luka, have an nba caliber season, and win a championship. He'd basically need to be a nightly near 30 point triple double threat.

If Cade leads us to 3 rings, he's the GOAT. If Cade leads us to 2 rings, Isiah will stab him in the back at his HOF ceremony.

zeebneeb wrote:He has already had a statistical season only 7 other players in NBA history have ever had. Cade starts winning titles, and he will, without question become the greatest Piston ever. I say that as someone who watched Isiah's prime. Now if he wins an MVP? Even without a title, the argument can be made.

If he wins an MVP without a title, he's James Harden & Russell Westbrook. I don't care what Cade's stats & accolades are, he will never surpass Isiah without leading his team to rings.

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flow wrote:

zeebneeb wrote:He has already had a statistical season only 7 other players in NBA history have ever had. Cade starts winning titles, and he will, without question become the greatest Piston ever. I say that as someone who watched Isiah's prime. Now if he wins an MVP? Even without a title, the argument can be made.

If he wins an MVP without a title, he's James Harden & Russell Westbrook. I don't care what Cade's stats & accolades are, he will never surpass Isiah without leading his team to rings.

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So true. Isiah is the GOAT. Win a title Cade and then we can talk

Let him pass Grant Hill before we revisit this topic.

If Ben Wallace was a double-digit scorer, he might have an argument. He could have won an MVP if he had an offensive game.