Cade Cunningham was the top pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, hailed as a future superstar, but his early days with the Detroit Pistons were tough.
Challenges and Growth:
Cunningham faced difficulties partly because of a weak team lineup and partly due to the immense pressure on his young shoulders at just 20 years old. Fast forward to his fourth season, and we’re witnessing glimpses of why he was so highly praised coming out of college.
On Saturday, Cunningham achieved his fifth triple-double this season in a victory over the New York Knicks. He scored 29 points, delivered a career-best 15 assists, and grabbed 10 rebounds. At only 23 years old, this performance is a reminder that he’s still on track to become an extraordinary talent among guards.
The Bickerstaff Effect:
His impressive start isn’t just about gaining experience. The arrival of J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach has been pivotal. After Detroit’s tenth win of the season, Bickerstaff commended Cunningham’s game-changing skills and attitude.
โI thought he did a great job. He started the game with 21 points at half, almost a triple-double … He set the tone for the game,โ
. โDefensively, we asked him to guard (Jalen) Brunson and I think he did a really good job keeping him in front of him and containing him. He played a complete game tonight, and I was proud of his effort.โ
Fans believe that having such supportive coaching can truly elevate players’ performances!
Potential Unleashed:
With his size and skills, Cunningham could soon be one of the top three guards in the league. Being part of a rebuilding team has allowed him ample playing time to learn from mistakesโan invaluable opportunity for growth.
Even though he’s still several years away from reaching his peak performance levelโand will likely experience ups and downs along this journeyโhis early-season displays are promising signs for Pistons fans eager for playoff action again someday soon!
It might’ve taken some time getting here but make no mistake: Cade Cunningham has arrived!
