After five games, the Pistons are once again last in the Eastern Conference, with one win and four losses, and Cade Cunningham did not solve its problem of lost balloons. Coming off a defeat last Tuesday against the Cavaliers, the leader had explained “want to be more lively” after giving away five free possessions to the Cavs.
After its sad last campaign, the franchise had focused its training camp on certain aspects it had lacked for several years.
Spacing of the game, defense, and especially ball movement were on the agenda in the training of the new coach, JB Bickerstaff. But history seems to be repeating itself at the start of the season for Cade Cunningham and his gang, who are in 24th place in “lost balls” with an average of 17 wasted possessions per match…
A weakness that persists
“I have to be more incisive with the ball”declared Cade Cunningham after the defeat against Miami. “The team trusts me when I have the ball. Losing so many at the start of the season prevents us from winning matches. I take responsibility for it. I have to help the team, take care of the ball”.
The number 1 in the 2021 Draft is currently still struggling in this sector, having lost an average of 3.5 balls per match during his first three campaigns in the league. Despite the wishes of the Pistons leader, he has offered an average of 5.6 possessions to the opponent over the last five games. In the defeat against Cleveland, the Pistons committed 22 turnovers, including nine for Cade Cunningham.
The former Oklahoma State player therefore gropes between his old teammates and his new ones, while adapting to the demands of his new coach. Sometimes surprised by the placements of his comrades, he advocates patience.
Patience and perseverance
“With the synergy and talent that will develop, we will end up better positioning ourselves and knowing each other. Everything will fit together more easily. I have to do better, make sure not to give teams five balls per match. I watch the videos and try to progress” he explains like this.
While leading by one point at the start of the fourth quarter against the Heat, the Pistons panicked under opposing pressure, with Cade Cunningham losing three balls in the final period. But “the season is long” for the leader, who is at least in phase with his shooting at the start of the season, at 47% including 40% at 3-points.
| Cade Cunningham | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | DET | 64 | 33 | 41.6 | 31.4 | 84.5 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 3.1 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 17.4 |
| 2022-23 | DET | 12 | 33 | 41.5 | 27.9 | 83.7 | 1.0 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 19.9 |
| 2023-24 | DET | 62 | 34 | 44.9 | 35.5 | 86.9 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 22.7 |
| 2024-25 | DET | 5 | 37 | 47.1 | 40.0 | 85.7 | 0.8 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 7.4 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 5.6 | 1.2 | 25.6 |
| Total | 143 | 33 | 43.3 | 33.2 | 85.8 | 0.7 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 6.5 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 3.6 | 0.5 | 20.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
