Cade Cunningham, the 22-year-old standout player for the Detroit Pistons, is making significant strides in his NBA career. As the unquestioned cornerstone of the franchise, he’s already left an indelible mark this season. With nine such triple-doubles to his name, he’s now third in Pistons history. Cunningham’s breakout year Cunningham is off to an incredible start this season. He’s well on his way to becoming the Pistons’ first player to average 25 points per game since Jerry Stackhouse did it in 2000-01.
Cunningham’s journey thus far includes playing under three different head coaches: Dwane Casey, Monty Williams, and J.B. Bickerstaff. This flexibility demonstrates both his strength and desire to keep growing and developing in an ever changing landscape. Cunningham was just appointed to his first NBA All-Star game in January. He touted his crowning accomplishment on social media, a testament to his increasing star power in the league.
A New Era for the Pistons
Cunningham’s five-year, $224 million maximum rookie extension with the Detroit Pistons signed last offseason turned heads around the league. Though there was plenty of skepticism on the deal in the beginning, Cunningham’s start has started to ease concerns that he was a bad return.
I think I could be the best basketball player ever! I truly feel that I’m getting there,” Cunningham said, showing his competitive mindset and drive to be the best. His confidence isn’t just contagious to fans, it’s contagious to his teammates. The Pistons are already seeing a turnaround and Cunningham is leading this exciting turn of events.
“I feel like Cade fits more into the culture with all of us being young and up and coming,” said rapper 42 Dugg, emphasizing Cunningham’s role in unifying the team. For all of these reasons and more, he energizes the party with greater optimism and positivity about the future. We’re all behind Cade.”
That supportive environment cultivates an atmosphere where Cunningham can thrive and further challenge himself to be better.
Growing Recognition
Beyond his individual achievements, Cunningham’s growth has certainly been recognized by his teammates and coaches, as well. Even NBA superstar Zion Williamson was quick to praise Cunningham’s talent, saying that “I don’t think people are giving him his full respect. Williamson’s hot take is that Cunningham is an All-NBA player this season. Together, they confidently proclaimed his work speaks for itself.
Cavalier coach J.B. Bickerstaff helped his career and admired Cunningham’s development as a player. He stated, “Very few times you find a fella that can not grow and develop and just leave folks in the dust. Bickerstaff appreciates Cunningham’s extraordinary gifts for instilling a collective approach even while compelling the quest for individual greatness.
Pretty unique in the sense that Cade’s ability to separate himself, be selfish about his development. He makes sure that his teammates are never too far behind him,” Bickerstaff said. This feature is a leadership potential indicator that will serve Cunningham well as he continues through his young career.
Future Aspirations
Yet despite her limited experience, Cunningham is widely considered a leading candidate for the FIBA World Cup and Olympic Games in the next cycle. These observations are based on conversations with Grant Hill, the new managing director of the USA men’s national team. Hill remarked on the similarities between their playing styles: “I think there’s some similarities in terms of trying to just control the game and trying to have an impact on the game in a number of different ways.”
His basketball IQ and instinct on the court have made comparisons to legends like Magic Johnson and Allen Iverson, cementing his notoriety and legacy within the game. He never stops learning in order to improve his craft and become the best captain of his team that he can be.
Cunningham drove home the point that there’s no better time than now to go independent. Friends, we need each other now. His commitment to calling out teammates on accountability serves as a glimpse into his mature perspective on how the team’s overall success leads to individual growth.
Leave a Reply