In progress each season since his arrival in the League in 2021 with his status as number 1 in the Draft, Cade Cunningham is currently on an All-Star pace, with no less than 24 points, almost 10 assists and 7 rebounds on average.
Above all, his Pistons (14 victories for 17 defeats), so moribund last year, with in particular this infamous series of 28 consecutive defeats, are at the time of these lines still in the race to tickle the “play-in” in an Eastern conference (it must be said) open to the four winds.
“The series of defeats [de l’an passé] almost made me even more sure of myself”
For the former member of the Pistons' “All-Rookie First Team”, the first Detroit player since Saddiq Bey (in February 2021) to receive the honor of best player of the week in the Eastern Conference on December 16, the The key to this current success is to be found in the horror and depression of last season.
“The series of defeats almost made me even more self-confident, even if it may seem paradoxical,” explains Cunningham today in The Athletic. “I pushed my limits so much during this series that I really realized that I was made for this. I knew that when I came out, I was going to silence all these critics. »
With three successes in a row, “on the road” moreover, the Pistons were indeed able to count on their leader. Cade Cunningham dropped three consecutive double-doubles, including 33 points and 10 assists to overcome the Kings. Proof that confidence has completely returned within the young Pistons squad.
“I'm doing things this year that I haven't done for a long time. Sometimes, qhen I watch my matches in full, I tell myself that I really had a great night. For me, it is the result of constant progression. I don't put limits on myself. I want to continue to progress. »
“It seemed like everyone had a dark cloud over their heads”
Setting an example for his teammates, Cade Cunningham is more consistent than ever on his outside shooting, with a 37% from 3-point range which still has room for improvement, but which is already his career best score. The former Oklahoma State man justifies his progress by his fundamental work carried out in recent years, but even more so during this summer, without any physical problems to manage.
“It’s a privilege. That's all I wanted. This offseason was very important for me to get back in shape and really be able to work on my game. It was a momentous offseason. It just feels good to be able to win games and help my team win them. It's what I've always wanted most in the world. »
For the first time since the 2018-19 season, and the brief Blake Griffin interlude, the Pistons are once again a team to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference. We haven't yet returned to the days of the Bad Boys, nor to the squad led by Ben Wallace and company, but these young Pistons have heart. And morale made of steel after their season in hell last year…
“That losing streak was a lot of long car rides, long flights without a sound. It was really depressing to experience. Every game it seemed like everyone had a dark cloud over their heads. It was difficult to play like that. And today it is all the more pleasant to have come out of it. »
| 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 | 27 | 36 | 44.9 | 37.3 | 80.0 | 1.0 | 5.9 | 6.9 | 9.7 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 4.5 | 0.9 | 24.2 |
| Total | 165 | 34 | 43.5 | 33.8 | 84.6 | 0.8 | 4.6 | 5.3 | 7.0 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 20.7 | |
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.
