Detroit Pistons: Realistic player comparisons for Cade Cunningham’s rookie season

Detroit Pistons: More realistic comparisons for Cade Cunningham

Now that we discussed two of the most common names associated with Cunningham, let’s look at some more realistic options. I’m basing this off production, impact on winning, and overall skill set. Cade Cunningham will be better than these players long term, but this is based off the player’s rookie year in comparison to what Cade’s rookie season may look like, not the overall career. After giving it some thought these are the players who come to mind.

Lamar Odom? Comparison makes sense as primary ball handler 

Lamar Odom was a exceptional basketball player. Just like Cade Cunningham, he only played one season of college basketball. He was a one and done prospect before the term was coined. In his one year at Rhode Island he was a All Conference player in the competitive Atlantic 10. He was a highly touted college stand out with the body of a forward and the skills of a guard. When you think of playmaking wings he might not come to mind but he should. He never developed into a elite scoring threat, but he had all the making’s of a modern day ball handler.

Odom had size, passing ability, and the ability to score as well. He made a big splash after being drafted fourth overall in the 1999 NBA draft. His combination of skills and size allowed him to be productive out the gate. He averaged 16.6 points 7.8 rebounds 4.2 assists 1.2 steal and 1.3 blocks a game. Filling up the stat sheet in way most rookies would only dream of. He had the drive, toughness, and the vision it took to be successful.

With that type of production you can see why he made the list. He’s a realistic comparison to Cade right now. The almost eight rebounds could be hard to match although he’ll be needed on the glass in Detroit. The other areas are pretty obtainable to say the least. Odom also shot the three ball well at 36 percent. This forced defenders to push out on him allowing driving lanes for himself and other’s.

He can play on ball off ball and still be effective. Many laugh now at the thought of Lamar Odom but when he was on the court contributing he was no laughing matter. Especially for the coaches trying to create defensive schemes to combat his skill set. He’s a two-time NBA champion for reason and he played a key role in going back to back in Tinsel Town.