After missing almost the entirety of last season following a shin injury, Cade Cunningham resumed his career against Miami. In the end, it was a defeat for Monty Williams’ real first on the Detroit bench. But the young Pistons almost achieved a huge comeback…
Trailing by 19 points (94-75) ten minutes from the end, they finally failed by a small margin (103-102) but they had several balls to win. Including three missed shots by Cade Cunningham in the last minute.
Too bad, because the first choice of the 2021 Draft was the driving force behind his team’s comeback (27-9), finishing the match with 30 points at 13/27 shooting including 4/9 from distance, as well as 9 assists.
“It’s crazy to be back on the field, fighting with my brothers again” confided Cade Cunningham after the match. “I’m just grateful and lucky to do what I do. It kind of imbibed in me and I wanted to play hard, stay in the moment and let the game unfold. »
The Pistons’ Luka Doncic?
If he forced a little at the end, Cade Cunningham still recalled why he was chosen in first position in the Draft two years ago, and why Steve Kerr wanted him in the American team this summer.
With his height (1m98), his technique and his way of playing at his own pace and breaking opposing defensive pressures, the former Oklahoma State player has all the weapons to be the “Luka Doncic of the Pistons”.
Erik Spoelstra, who assisted Steve Kerr this summer with Team USA, is not really surprised.
“During the first scrimmage (with the Select Team), he made an impression, and we remember it. But that’s what we expect from the first pick of the Draft. He has the size, all the technical qualities, the vision of the game, the dribbling, the shooting. The way he plays the game offensively is contradictory to his experience. »
