In a recent interview with Bleacher Report, Cade Cunningham returned to his NBA debut. In particular on the race for Rookie of the Year where, according to him, he is in the lead. It’s good to have confidence, but you have to keep a cool head Cade.
The NBA debut of Cade Cunningham was highly anticipated, he who was selected in first position in the 2021 NBA Draft. Inevitably, the Pistons placed a lot of hopes on the leader from his first year in the Big League. For the moment, Cunningham’s rookie season is pretty solid despite a really bad debut related in particular to health problems that interfered with his preparation. Cade struggled to get in with shooting percentages that really stung the eyes (23% overall, and 14% from distance in his first four games). It must be said that Dwane Casey’s use of the point guard was as questionable as a one-man show of Arthur. But since then, the former Oklahoma State has been able to raise the bar to achieve quite interesting stats with 15.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists. In terms of shooting success, it remains weak (40% shooting and 33% parking), but Cade has clearly stepped up to a Pistons team once again in the running for the 1st pick. His contribution is already being felt, especially on pick-and-roll since at only 20 years old, he is already very comfortable in this exercise. Then must say that his team’s record without him is sad with only one win in nine games… Well, even with him on the floor it’s not madness but it’s already much better with 10 wins for 25 losses. In any case, the native of Texas enjoys great self-confidence, as evidenced by his recent remarks for Bleacher Report.
“It’s really one of my goals. [le titre de Rookie de l’Année, ndlr.]. I feel like the best rookie. Winning this trophy would be validation for me and in the eyes of the world but in the end, when I play a basketball game, I don’t think about ROY or that kind of thing. But it would be great to have it when the time comes. »
So… how to say? It’s going to be tense my man to nab this one. So yes, stats level there is no problem, but his team does not give a foot in front of the other. And if the collective results are not the main criterion for the ROY trophy, it still counts. Especially since the competition is fierce this year. To name only the rookies who have great seasons in not great teams, there is Franz Wagner on the Orlando side who does the job seriously, just like Chris Duarte with the Pacers, or Josh Giddey in Oklahoma. But even better, there are players who make great stats and who play a real role in winning teams. It is the case of Scottie Barnes in Toronto, who fucks 14 points and 8 rebounds in playing 35 minutes to help the Raptors have a balanced record. At the moment, he seems to be ahead of Cunningham in the ROY race. But the big favourite, who for the moment puts the concept at a distance, is Evan Mobley. 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, almost 2 blocks, all while being a mainstay of the sixth Cavaliers in the East, 2.5 games behind the first Bulls. He is already one of the best defenders at position 4 in the NBA… It’s too much! If the season ended now, there would be no world in which Mobley wouldn’t be voted Rookie of the Year…much to Cade’s chagrin.
Cade Cunningham is having a great rookie season, nothing to say… But from there to considering himself as the ROY, there is a step we don’t want to take. Mobley is too good for Cunningham to steal the trophy. After that, there’s still half a season to play, so it’s up to the Pistons point guard to prove us all wrong and prove that he can – really – be LaMelo Ball’s successor.
Source texte : Bleacher Report
