The sentiment on Cade Cunningham has soured over the losing streak and in turn, some of the blame has been placed on the Piston’s number one option. The former number-one overall pick has not taken the “leap” that some Pistons fans expected. However, I looked into some perennial all-stars and their numbers after their 3rd year, players that I think Cade could be comparable to and I think they are pretty similar. All of the three players listed have been successful as the number one option at some point in their careers.
DISCLAIMER: I am not saying Cade is better than the players listed nor am I saying he is a guaranteed number-one option in the NBA. All I want to get out of this is that some should have optimism for the future of Cade and his career.
Cade Cunningham: 22.2 pts 7.1 ast 3.7 reb 4.5 tov 41% fg 33% 3fg 3.9 FT- 4.4 FTA 31.1 usg 2-15 35.5 min
-76 games played prior to 3rd year
Paul George: 17.4 pts 4.1 ast 7.6 reb 2.9 tov 42% fg 36% 3fg 2.8 FT-3.5 FTA 23.5 usg 49-32 37.6 min
-127 games played prior to 3rd year
Devin Booker: 24.9 pts 4.7 ast 4.5 reb 3.6 tov 43% fg 38% 3fg 4.7 FT-5.7 FTA 31.7 21-61 34.5 min
-154 games played prior to 3rd year
Trae Young: 25.3 pts 9.4 ast 3.9 reb 4.1 tov 44% fg 34% 3fg 33.0 7.7 FT-8.7 FTA usg 41-31 33.7 min
-141 games played prior to 3rd year
When diving deep into these guards and their efficiency, assist-to-turnover ratio, and usage rate you can see the similarities. The only thing I think Cade has a clear disadvantage in is his three-point efficiency, which other than defensive engagement is Cade’s biggest flaw. Turnovers are a kink that has to be ironed out in young guards with high usage rates. James Harden with a usage rate of over 30 has never averaged under 4 turnovers a game. Keep in mind as well Cade has almost played half the games coming into his 3rd year as these guys.
In Conclusion, I think personally Cade’s “underdevelopment is overstated. He is a developing guard asked to do too much. He is playing way too many minutes, asked to initiate too much on offense, and is forced to take bad shots.
Thank you for posting comparison player stats. It’s nice to see other successful players having a similar field goal percentages and turnovers (albeit still less than Cade) at this stage in their careers.
I think he as a player is on a good path. He just needs time to develop and needs a more consistent supporting cast top to bottom, including coaching and game plan.
I, however, do not think his situation is on a good path. Specifically external to the team, the amount of hate and criticism he is getting from the fanbase is completely disproportionate to what is actually his fault this early in his career. The fanbase souring on him so quickly is going to leave a bad taste in his mouth and may further the chances he eventually asks for an out.
I think a portion of the fanbase forgets this is the guy that whipped out the buffs on draft night; he wants to be a piston. But if the fanbase keeps blaming all our struggles on him specifically, I could see him changing his mind on that.