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Detroit Pistons: 5 final NBA Summer League observations

By Stuart London

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 13: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons brings the ball up the court against the New York Knicks during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Pistons defeated the Knicks 93-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 13: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons brings the ball up the court against the New York Knicks during the 2021 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Pistons defeated the Knicks 93-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The gang that couldn’t shoot a 3-pointer

The Pistons were a bad three-point shooting team last year, but, somehow, the summer league team was even worse. How does 3 for 26 on threes against the Rockets (Cade shots excluded) sound? Yeesh.

Detroit finished making 32-percent of its shots from three-point land. Taking away Cade Cunningham’s fine shooting, it was an abominable 25-percent in the three games he played.

Now, the signing of free agent Kelly Olynyk can help, as will having Frank Jackson when the real Pistons show up. But Detroit also lost its best three-point shooter in Wayne Ellington, to the Lakers.

Outside of Cunningham, there is no one coming up ready to knock down outside shots. This is a concern going into training camp, and could become a bigger one once the season starts.

1. Cade Cunningham is good. Phew!

Sure, Detroit fans were sure they had a winner when the Pistons took Cade Cunningham with the first pick in the draft. But … there are always those thoughts, bad memories, in the back of your mind, until you actually see him play.

Names like Anthony Bennett, Kwame Brown, players drafted first overall who were busts.

Cunningham showed he will not be one of those. Will he be headed to Springfield for the Basketball Hall of Fame? Too early to tell on that front, but he is really good.

From knocking down seven three-pointers, to playing tough defense on Jalen Green, to making some nice passes, Cunningham showed what we all thought he would be – a great all-around player.

Thank goodness!

Next. Detroit Pistons schedule analysis: Not awful. dark

The next time the Detroit Pistons will be in uniform is for the preseason in early October. It will be a much different lineup than we saw in Las Vegas, but there was still a lot learned. Hopefully, what was taught in Vegas, does not stay in Vegas.

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