https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/pistons-jaden-ivey-cleared-to-face-suns/amp/

#Detroit Pistons at Phoenix Suns

Footprint Center- Phoenix, AZ

ESPN

TV/Radio

###On the court

Detroit Pistons

Phoenix Suns

Use reddit-stream.com to get an autorefreshing version of this page

Note: This data is only as accurate as NBA.com

Please message u/nba_gdt_bot if you have any suggestions or notice any bugs with the bot

I wanted to post this here as I thought it a relevant topic due to taking a look at Cade Cunningham's growth on the offensive end of the floor. A few days ago I [made a video] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4WVnyHDesQ) that discussed some of the stats and ways that he's elevated his game so far this season.

Cade has improved scoring out of pick and roll this season where per Synergy as of a few days ago, he's in the 68th percentile on a per-possession basis. A big part of this is he's show much better from three out of pick and roll. Last year, he shot just 32% from three on 71 attempts out of pick and roll. So far this season, he'dalready taken 67 threes out of the action but has made 42% of them. I'd imagine the coaching change could also play a role in the increase of threes.

Though he's drastically improved out of the action when including passes. Last year he was in the 55th percentile in this category, but prior to the game Thursday was in the 79th. Given Cade's court vision, passing and change of pace, it's definitely evident how he can be extremely dangerous out of the action.

Cade's seen an even bigger improvement so far this season on post- ups. Last year, nearly 20% of his post-up possessions ended in turnovers. This year not only is he shooting over 50% on shots out of post-ups, but the turnover percentage has gone down to around 6%. Prior to Thursday's game, he ranked in the 84th percentile on post-ups including passes. Which given his ability to bully smaller guards, manipulate defenders, and find cutters or shooters on the perimeter isn't that surprising.

The other thing I found interesting is Cunningham's shot selection has changed a bit. After around 26% of his shots last year were mid-range jumpers or long twos, he's not only taking more threes, but is attempting more shots that are 3-10 feet from the basket. So far he's having the best season of his career knocking down 47% of the shots from 3-10 feet. Though I think his improvement hitting touch shots such as floaters, runners and hook shots out of the post have played a major role in this.

I went into some other elements in the video, but was wondering how everyone else was feeling about Cade's start to this year. To me, he should clearly be an All-Star as he's shown growth as the number one option both as a scorer and facilitator. The crazy thing is I feel there's more room to grow, as his shooting at the rim is still below average, but he's shown some improvement in terms of drawing free throws. So as he progresses in that regard along with more practice finishing around the room, the other skills are there that suggest he should end up above average in that regard.

Never bothered to vote these past 5 years because we had nobody important, now that we do I wanna contribute.

Just looked at games when Cade exceeded his season averages so far and I thought this is interesting.

When Cade scored 24 pts or more (> 23.9 ppg), the team was 2-9.

Contrast this with the team record when he exceeded his season averages in other stats.

When Cade dished out 10 assists or more (> 9.6 apg), the team was 7-6. When it's 11 assists or more, the team was 5-2.

When Cade grabbed 8 rebounds or more (>7.3 rpg), the team was 5-5. When he grabbed 10 rebounds or more, the team was 5-1.

Another seemingly significant indicator. When Cade got in foul trouble and incurred 4 fouls or more, team was just 1-6. Conversely, when Cade got a good whistle and got 5 FTA or more (> 4.3 FTA), team was 7-5.

Now for the aspects of Cade's game often pointed out. Turnovers and efficiency.

The relation with turnovers is funny. When Cade's TOV% was more than 15%, Pistons actually have a winning record of 7-5. LOL

Efficiency-wise, the team record is 7-7 when Cade's TS% is more than his season average of .551.

Of course all of this could just mean the common-sensical conclusion that when other players in the team play well, then they would have a better record. But it could also mean that bringing out the best from Cade Cunningham is asking him to be the jack-of-all-trades guard that he is, instead of asking him to be a takeover scoring machine.

Contrast this with contemporaries like Hali, Ant, Franz, and Scottie whose scoresplosions often match with wins. When you see Cade scoring a lot, it often means he is being asked yet again to compensate for his teammate's poor play.

I think the most telling stat is when we look at Usage. When Cade's USG% is below 30%, the team record is 9-4. When it is above 30% and he is chucking FGAs, which is the usual standard when identifying high usage guys, the team record is 1-9.

For me, this is an indicator that Cade is not your typical mainstream NBA star. I think he is the type of star that when you plug him into a lineup which is playing well, he unlocks that lineup's next gear and their performance gets maximized. But plug him into a lineup which is playing bad, the performance will not change much as he tries to compensate for that lineup's shortcomings.

IMO, he is a ceiling-raising star, not a floor-raising one. I think that is why when he played in USA Select and Rising Stars, he performed like the best player in those teams and they won. But at the same time, he is part of the NBA team who set the record for longest losing streak in league history as he is not the type of star who can carry a sorry ass team out of the mud. He is too much of a team-oriented player, maybe even too much of an ethical scorer. LOL

If he is the Detroit Pistons' future, construct a balanced lineup with enough floor raisers.

Curious what y’all think. His value is at an all time low if the rumors are true. If at all it took was matching salary and some seconds, would/should the Pistons go for it? Why or why not? Personally, I could go either way. Obviously the contract and injuries are pretty bad, but the talent is undeniable. Could be fun to buy low. Who knows?

How does this team get better in the second half?

I have stopped seeing JI as a primary half court creator as of lately

I know a lot of this sub does but I have just stopped seeing it

Instead I see him in this way

Having the primary ability of taking advantage of transition opportunities

And having the secondary ability of putting him next to a star and hitting open looks

Would like to know your thoughts

What's a solid comp for Ausar? What's the comp for his ceiling? When I watch the guy I see these amazing flashes of talent and athleticism but it's mixed with air alls and bricks. Draymond Green? A bigger Rajon Rondo? He seems really unique in that his IQ and awareness are NBA level right out the gate but his technical abilities betray him. Seems like he could really play 1-4 and be a plus player if he were able to tighten up his game. Is he capable of dominating the game and being annual allstar or does he just kind of slot in as invaluable jack of all master of none role player like a better wing version of Stew

I took a long break from watching the pistons after the 2022-2023 season since I was getting burnt out on basketball. Back then Duren was a fan favorite and it seemed like people loved him. Now it seems like people aren’t really that big of fans anymore. What happened between then and now?

I’m glad Ausar started again tonight, but I’m worried that once Ivey is back, he’ll just move THJ back to the 3.

I mean, at least try different combinations. I feel like there’s been so many games where a combination of Cade and some bench players outplayed the starters.

Personally, I’d like to see: Cade, Beasley, Ausar, Tobias, and Stew.

Okay, I’ll admit I defended the guy as long as I can. For all his shortcomings, the fact he can’t even muster up consistent rebounding numbers is where I have to draw the line. Only 8 double digit rebounding games between the month of November and December ain’t gone cut it for a guy thats known for rebounding.

I ain’t saying trade him (lol for what), but his starting role should be taken away IMO. Put him on the bench and make him earn his way back on the court.

#Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons

Little Caesars Arena- Detroit, MI

ESPN

TV/Radio

###Player Stats

Utah Jazz

Detroit Pistons

Use reddit-stream.com to get an autorefreshing version of this page

Note: This data is only as accurate as NBA.com

Please message u/nba_gdt_bot if you have any suggestions or notice any bugs with the bot

#Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons

Little Caesars Arena- Detroit, MI

ESPN

TV/Radio

###On the court

Utah Jazz

Detroit Pistons

Use reddit-stream.com to get an autorefreshing version of this page

Note: This data is only as accurate as NBA.com

Please message u/nba_gdt_bot if you have any suggestions or notice any bugs with the bot