All eyes were on Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons during NBA Summer League and the number one pick did not disappoint.
Cunningham sat for the last two Summer League games but prior to that averaged 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game for the Detroit Pistons.
He also shot 50 percent from 3-point range on 8.7 attempts per game, so the rookie was strong in just about every area of the game.
We all knew Cade Cunningham was good, but there are specific aspects of his game that I hadn’t seen first hand and Cunningham pretty much checked all of the boxes for what we wanted to see.
Here are three things I learned about Cade Cunningham from Summer League.
Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham can shoot
Ok, so Cunningham is not likely to shoot 50 percent from 3-point range on 8.7 attempts per game, but he showed that he can absolutely stroke it from downtown.
I knew Cunningham was a 40 percent shooter, but I was impressed with his quick release and ability to shoot it off the catch as well as off the dribble.
Here he is crossing over Jalen Green before draining the 3-pointer:
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1425276552690868226
Cunningham knocked down seven of them against the Knicks, showing great form, a quick release and that he is not afraid to let it fly.
I think it is very possible we will see Cunningham have a few Steph Curry-like games where he gets hot and cannot be stopped.
With his height and quick release, Cunningham is going to be difficult to defend on the perimeter. He might not be the quickest player but he is smart and knows how to get into his spots on or off the ball.
Cunningham is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year and we saw why, as he can absolutely shoot the rock and is going to have nights where he knocks down 10-11 from long range and brings the roof down in Little Caesar’s Arena.