Since entering the NBA as the no. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, Cade Cunningham has been a highlight for the Detroit Pistons. The team may have been middling in the Eastern Conference so far, but Cunningham has become more confident and productive as more seasons pass, and his opponents will attest to it.
Last Monday, Cunningham finished a spectacular play that had him elude all the Rockets players on the floor for a statement slam dunk. Late in the third quarter, the 6-foot-6 guard crossed the halfcourt line, breaking through a double team attempt, and drove to the basket, throwing the ball down after making it past three more defenders.
After completing the play, Cade Cunningham found himself taunting the Rockets.
“On all y’all, motherf*****s!” the Pistons guard excitedly blurted out.
“ON ALL Y’ALL MOTHERF*CKAS”
– Cade Cunningham 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/emc2uSjmEE
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) January 20, 2025
The Pistons eventually routed the Rockets 107-96, putting an end to their two-game losing streak. Cunningham finished the game with 32 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists
Cade Cunningham is playing his best games this season, averaging a career-high 24.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 9.4 assists. His stats make a good case for an All-Star push, especially since his stats have somehow helped Detroit be in better shape compared to their last two seasons when they finished with less than 18 wins. Their victory over the Rockets on Monday marks their 22nd win this season.
NBA analyst doubles down on his praise for Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham’s performance against the Houston Rockets on Monday had ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins feeling proud of himself for his assessment of the guard three years ago.
Shortly after the Pistons’ victory, Perkins reminded fans of when he praised Cunningham on the night of the 2021 NBA draft.
“Remember on draft night I said that Cade Cunningham was the best perimeter player prospect since LeBron James,” said Perkins in a post on X. “I guess it’s TIME to revisit that conversation.”
Remember on draft night I said that Cade Cunningham was the best perimeter player prospect since LeBron James. I guess it’s TIME to revisit that conversation.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) January 20, 2025
On the July 19, 2021 episode of “The Jump,” Perkins compared Cunningham’s perimeter shooting skills to that of the LA Lakers superstar just hours before the then-Oklahoma State standout would get picked first overall by the Pistons in that year’s draft.
“When I look at this guy Cade Cunningham, the future is bright. He reminds me a lot of LeBron James,” said Perkins back then.
The Pistons star continues to put up the best numbers of his young career, aligning Perkins’ comparisons of him to James.
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