We need to talk about Cade (Cunningham)

[Chuck Everett]

I'm not going to list any stats, so Clav please don't come for me. Feel free to list stats if you like though.

Anyway, I just want to say that Cade looks to be in line for another all-NBA season and his comfortability with his teammates (Duren and Ausar) is becoming hard to deny. His turnovers are coming way down and it looks (that damn eye test again) like the game has slowed down.

He's starting to remind me of the guard version of Grant Hill, pre-injury. I renounced my Cade isn't the guy stance mid-last season, but I am now here to announce that this guy is capable of winning an MVP and being the best player on a Team USA Olympic roster.

So while my darling Paolo continues to disappoint me lately, Cade is doing the heavy lifting. If the team gels and maybe Langdon makes one more move, Pistons have a legit chance to make the NBA Finals, even if the Knicks and Cavs are the favorites.

Just wanted to throw that out there. Also, the team is an elite rebounding team which will make them hard to beat even without Ivey and Sasser to help stretch floor for a bit.

[Yoshun]

Cade really made a huge leap last year. He's fun to watch.

[tsherkin]

Anyway, I just want to say that Cade looks to be in line for another all-NBA season and his comfortability with his teammates (Duren and Ausar) is becoming hard to deny. His turnovers are coming way down and it looks (that damn eye test again) like the game has slowed down.

It's early, but he's the same guy he was last year and he's producing at a similar level. He still isn't a really strong volume scorer, but he's doing it well enough that, coupled to his playmaking, he's driving their offense well. Detroit's still a below-average offense so far, but he's got them going, and with their defense, they're crushing it in the early-going. He's definitely found himself as far as running an offense.

He's starting to remind me of the guard version of Grant Hill, pre-injury.

Don't really see it. Isn't anywhere near the scoring threat Hill was at all, and nothing like the slasher stylistically.

He's definitely having a strong start to the season and looks like last year wasn't a flash in the pan kind of thing, though. He's legit.

[Capn'O]

I called him Mid Cunningham for a few years but it was pretty clear to me during our series with Detroit that he'd completely shed that label. I'd grown to like his game over the course of last season but something that stood out to me was he was getting to his spots to hit clutch shots against us just not yet making them. Getting his playoff wings. This guy is a big time player and that's why I chose the Pistons to again be the team that most exceeds their previous performance, though Portland will be close.

It's not often you play a tight series against a guy and he becomes one of your favorite players but here I am.

[Chuck Everett]

I called him Mid Cunningham for a few years but it was pretty clear to me during our series with Detroit that he'd completely shed that label. I'd grown to like his game over the course of last season but something that stood out to me was he was getting to his spots to hit clutch shots against us just not yet making them. Getting his playoff wings. This guy is a big time player and that's why I chose the Pistons to again be the team that most exceeds their previous performance, though Portland will be close.

It's not often you play a tight series against a guy and he becomes one of your favorite players but here I am.

This is why I keep coming back to this site. In a month, NBA media will be talking about Cade, since this is where they get their talking points half the time. Former #1 pick and you'd think he was Markelle Fultz from the lack of coverage. That kind of makes me mad, now that I think about it.

Dude should be in the NBA marketing materials a lot more than he is.

[bisme37]

Read on Twitter

[Mavrelous]

Still leaving momey on the table with less than ideal finishing and passing accuracy, once he cleans this up, he moves from all NBA tier to MVP tier.

[Capn'O]

I called him Mid Cunningham for a few years but it was pretty clear to me during our series with Detroit that he'd completely shed that label. I'd grown to like his game over the course of last season but something that stood out to me was he was getting to his spots to hit clutch shots against us just not yet making them. Getting his playoff wings. This guy is a big time player and that's why I chose the Pistons to again be the team that most exceeds their previous performance, though Portland will be close.

It's not often you play a tight series against a guy and he becomes one of your favorite players but here I am.

This is why I keep coming back to this site. In a month, NBA media will be talking about Cade, since this is where they get their talking points half the time. Former #1 pick and you'd think he was Markelle Fultz from the lack of coverage. That kind of makes me mad, now that I think about it.

Dude should be in the NBA marketing materials a lot more than he is.

He'll get his due.

Aside from his play, what really struck me about Cade during our series was the poise and professionalism he displayed as a young player. Especially since there were "vets" like Malik Beasley popping off to the media and in game when they hadn't won anything yet. Cade stayed level, respected the opponent in interviews, and just kept playing his game even though he was still figuring out the kinks of playoff basketball. I thought it would be a blessing in disguise that they wouldn't be able to retain Beasley and so far that's bearing fruit. Cade can be the undisputed team leader and he's ready for that. Having someone like him at the helm will be invaluable to bringing along guys like Thompson, Duren, and Holland and keeping Beef Stew in line.

[GeorgeMarcus]

Cade is on course for a decorated HoF career, people were way too quick to label him a loser in his first couple seasons

[PhilBlackson]

Absolute stud.

He's REALLY pushing Brunson for the best PG in the East imo (HM: Maxey)...personally I like him more than Brunson & feel like JB has a better supporting cast so far AND deserves the VERY slight nod just due to track record/resume. But skillwise I like Cade and I think if he had the same level of supporting cast would have similar, if not better results but I can't just give him that...but it feels like Cade is working his way towards taking that crown. Of course I love Scottie, have utmost respect for Mobley and Sengun but Cade is still the best player from his class. If he could just get a good 2nd option (preferably that can shoot) & a PF that could provide a bit more spacing the Pistons would really take off.

[Zukkoyaki]

I've always liked Cade but he's become an absolute beast. Happy for long-suffering Detroit fans.

[tmorgan]

I’ve never liked tsherkin’s takes on Cade because I think they miss some very important nuances about his role in the offense. I’ll save those for another day. But tsherkin is right about one thing — he’s actually not been that good offensively so far this year. His turnovers are down about 20% without sacrificing assists or the way he plays, but that’s about it. He’s not shooting well after tearing it up in the preseason, which is disappointing, but he’ll pick that up to some extent.

The difference, with a step last year and another step this year, is his defense. He’s gotten much stronger, and you can’t drive through him the way you used to. He’s one of the best shot-blocking guards in the league, particularly in transition.

There’s also a smart change made by JBB that’s helping. When Ausar and Cade share the floor, particularly after a made basket, it’s Ausar that brings the ball up past half court. It’s saving Cade some energy, and, let’s face it, Cade is never going to have an exceptional handle. He can be trapped if Detroit isn’t careful. Ausar is so much quicker and faster, it prevents problems. Cade’s had some big second halves this year with the decreased wear-and-tear.

Cade’s not done improving. He’s continuing to refine his decision-making. He’s an excellent passer and a good defender. He’s drawing more fouls and playing through contact. If he ever gets his scoring efficiency up to say 105 TS+, he’s a legit MVP candidate type.

Lucky to have him.

[Capn'O]

The difference, with a step last year and another step this year, is his defense. He’s gotten much stronger, and you can’t drive through him the way you used to. He’s one of the best shot-blocking guards in the league, particularly in transition.

We were seeing that in the playoffs last year. A real 2 way guy. That surprised me.

Easier with more defenders in the SL too.

[tmorgan]

I called him Mid Cunningham for a few years but it was pretty clear to me during our series with Detroit that he'd completely shed that label. I'd grown to like his game over the course of last season but something that stood out to me was he was getting to his spots to hit clutch shots against us just not yet making them. Getting his playoff wings. This guy is a big time player and that's why I chose the Pistons to again be the team that most exceeds their previous performance, though Portland will be close.

It's not often you play a tight series against a guy and he becomes one of your favorite players but here I am.

This is why I keep coming back to this site. In a month, NBA media will be talking about Cade, since this is where they get their talking points half the time. Former #1 pick and you'd think he was Markelle Fultz from the lack of coverage. That kind of makes me mad, now that I think about it.

Dude should be in the NBA marketing materials a lot more than he is.

He'll get his due.

Aside from his play, what really struck me about Cade during our series was the poise and professionalism he displayed as a young player. Especially since there were "vets" like Malik Beasley popping off to the media and in game when they hadn't won anything yet. Cade stayed level, respected the opponent in interviews, and just kept playing his game even though he was still figuring out the kinks of playoff basketball. I thought it would be a blessing in disguise that they wouldn't be able to retain Beasley and so far that's bearing fruit. Cade can be the undisputed team leader and he's ready for that. Having someone like him at the helm will be invaluable to bringing along guys like Thompson, Duren, and Holland and keeping Beef Stew in line.

FYI, Cade’s been undisputed team leader since about the All-Star break of his rookie year. He has that aura you can’t teach.

Jerami Grant resisted for 50 games or so, but it was inevitable. It was mostly a young, bad team anyway, but I think it would have happened just about as quickly regardless. Cade’s been that guy forever. You can ask Scottie Barnes or anyone else he played with pre-NBA. Any team he’s on is Cade’s team.

[perempe20]

did he hit a left handed floater and a hook with his right last game?

[Chokic]

Hes finally hitting his stride now as the player he was projected to be since last sesson. I believe hes going to start at pg for team usa in the olympics.

[chilluminati]

He's completely revived the Pistons. He's brought legitimate interest and hope back to basketball in Michigan. Seriously, nobody gave a crap about basketball after Joe Dumars ruined everything here. Some old heads still talk Dumars from the 90's, but the rest of us that turned off the hometown blinders knew that we were headed towards a garbage heap of a team with his decision making. The path from 2008 to now has been crazy.

After Dumars' many attempts at proving he wasn't just on the phone with 2 different Pizza Huts, he resigned and in comes Weaver. Troy did well to draft pretty much everyone on this team except for Ron and some newer prospects. But that's where the praise stops. Drafting Cade to that 2021 Pistons team ... My god it was UGLY. That team was terrible, and Cade needed a few seasons to really get a feel for the game. We had players like Sekou Doumboya, and a bunch of straight up failed draft picks, washed vets, and Jerami Grant. Between playing non-NBA players and Jermi Grant becoming a black hole, Cade's first season was still pretty good. But it wasn't enough for the detractors, people thought he was going to be trash. People were dogging us for not taking Scottie Barnes, Jalen Green, or Evan Mobley.

Then as we remember, Cade was injured his entire 2nd season. Then we end up with the 4 bigs/Killian Hayes experiment, Which really stained Cade's 3rd year as our organization failed completely in building a competent NBA team around him. And of course, that 3rd season had the infamous record setting 28 losses in a row. Cade knew this team was better than that at it's core, but was being ran by satan himself, Monty Williams. Gores was a fool for throwing such a huge contract at a guy that already said he didn't want to be here, but regardless that happened and has passed. I imagine Gores learned a valuable lesson.

Then in 24 Langdon comes in and installs a coach that cares, and free agency acquisitions that fit around Cade. That's really all it took.

Through all of that, you guys had to try and piece together if Cade was real. Operating on subpar teams with subpar management can really make a player whose still trying to find his way look bad. I completely understand why a lot of you had no faith. Cade grew, our roster grew and improved, and with that I slowly started seeing league-wide respect return to Detroit.

Now you guys need to start watching Isiah Stewart. Get the bs out of your head from that Lebron scene a few seasons ago, this man has grown. He's spearheading our teams defensive impact in the paint. Even though Duren has grown and is showing us he's worth a big contract, Stewart still covers for his defensive deficiencies. The amount of crow I've seen tossed his way still is embarrassing from people who believe they know basketball.

[Godymas]

#1 seed Pistons, he is the new CP3

[Raps in 4]

I called him Mid Cunningham for a few years but it was pretty clear to me during our series with Detroit that he'd completely shed that label. I'd grown to like his game over the course of last season but something that stood out to me was he was getting to his spots to hit clutch shots against us just not yet making them. Getting his playoff wings. This guy is a big time player and that's why I chose the Pistons to again be the team that most exceeds their previous performance, though Portland will be close.

It's not often you play a tight series against a guy and he becomes one of your favorite players but here I am.

This is why I keep coming back to this site. In a month, NBA media will be talking about Cade, since this is where they get their talking points half the time. Former #1 pick and you'd think he was Markelle Fultz from the lack of coverage. That kind of makes me mad, now that I think about it.

Dude should be in the NBA marketing materials a lot more than he is.

The NBA media will be talking about how good he would look next tp Luka (and Giannis and Jokic) on the Lakers.

[tsherkin]

I’ve never liked tsherkin’s takes on Cade because I think they miss some very important nuances about his role in the offense. I’ll save those for another day. But tsherkin is right about one thing — he’s actually not been that good offensively so far this year. His turnovers are down about 20% without sacrificing assists or the way he plays, but that’s about it. He’s not shooting well after tearing it up in the preseason, which is disappointing, but he’ll pick that up to some extent.

It's important to remember how I frame my remarks.

At baseline, I'm very happy to acknowledge that Cade is not just a good player, but a fantastic one. He's an excellent playmaker, and he's a high-value guy for a team's offense. He just isn't a tier 1 scorer, and that limits his ceiling when he is deployed in that kind of role. That isn't really a hot take; we already have a pretty good bead on the profile of the player type which is actually capable of leading a team to a title at this point. That doesn't mean that I don't think Cade is good for Detroit, or recognize that he's already a perennial All-Star-level talent who remains young and improving, though.