3 reasons Cade Cunningham won’t become Ben Simmons

The Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham and Ben Simmons were both the No. 1 overall pick in their respective drafts. While Simmons is doing everything to get out of Philadelphia (without losing money), Detroit fans probably do not have to worry about Cunningham ever following his path.

There is a lot of pressure being the No.1 pick in the draft, particularly in this 24-hour news world, where everyone has an opinion, and every little nuance of a player is analyzed. Some handle it OK (LeBron James, Anthony Davis) while others do not live up to the hype (Markelle Fultz, Anthony Bennett).

Ben Simmons was the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He has become a three-time NBA all-star, and finished second to Rudy Gobert for NBA Defensive Player of the Year last season.

But, unless you have been living under a rock, you know Simmons has been trying to get out of Philadelphia because, well, the coach and top player said means thing about him, after the Game 7 loss to Atlanta in the Eastern Conference semifinals. In the game, he turtled up on offense and refused to take a shot in the fourth quarter, even an uncontested dunk.

First, he asked to be traded, the 76ers said no, he said it face to face, the 76ers still said no, and fined him for missing preseason games. He showed up, goofed around in practice, got suspended, and now says he is not mentally ready to play for the 76ers.

Drama, drama, drama due to, I don’t know, Simmons got his feelings hurt? Poor entitled, coddled baby (and he is being called much worse in Philly), I am sure you feel great sympathy for him.

Anyhow, it makes one wonder, if Detroit’s own No. 1 would react like Simmons?

Would Cunningham get upset if the focus of the offense was Jerami Grant? If, in a big game they lost, coach Dwane Casey leveled some modest criticism, does that make Cade demand a trade? If he had a bad playoff series, would Cunningham blame everyone but himself?

Three reasons Cade Cunningham is not like Ben Simmons

3. Cade is a winner, while Simmons’ team did not go far in college

Ironically, Simmons and Cunningham went to the same high school, Montverde Academy in Florida, albeit at different times. Each helped the school win a national championship.

However, things were much different in college. Neither went to a school with a plethora of talent: Cunningham to Oklahoma State, Simmons to LSU.

Simmons’ Tigers team barely had a winning record and did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament. They turned down a bid to the NIT. There was a documentary about Simmons’ year in college. Several times in it, he complains about how the NCAA makes him play a year in college, instead of being able to go right to the pros (FYI, it is an NBA rule, NCAA has nothing to do with it)

Cunningham’s Cowboys squad overachieved. Oklahoma State made it to the Big 12 championship game after beating eventual NCAA champion Baylor in the semifinals. They then reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

2. Cade can shoot,  and Simmons … you know

Cade Cunningham is a fine all-around player, while Simmons does several things extremely well but other parts of his game are, well, at a high school JV level.

Simmons set an NBA record for worst free throw percentage in a playoff series, making just 34.1 percent of his foul shots vs. Atlanta. That was a big reason he ran away from shots, as, if he got fouled, he would have to go to the line and clank a few more.

Cunningham is a fine outside shooter and  at the free throw line, made 84.6% of his foul shots in college. He can pass and play defense, maybe not at Simmons’ level, but above average.

At the end of games, there will be no ‘Hack a Cade’ strategy to get him on the foul line.

Also, Simmons, despite having a year off after college to work strictly on his game, due to a foot injury, is basically the same player he was at LSU. His game has not improved. In some respects, it has gotten worse. He made 67-percent of his foul shots in college, a mark he has never reached in the NBA.

Just working with the young players in summer league, Cunningham already has made some nice adjustments to his game. He has shown he can hit the NBA three-pointer and proved his defensive chops (especially against Jalen Green). Everyone expects Cunningham to get better and better.

1. Cade Cunningham is just wired differently than Ben Simmons

Simmons was a prodigy down in Australia since a young age. Except for Kevin Boyle at Montverde and Doc Rivers with the 76ers, Simmons usually has had coaches who let him do his thing.

Cunningham was always a good player, but it was not until the past couple of years where he vaulted into the national consciousness.

He has always been team-oriented and winning the most important thing to him. He is also a natural team leader and, as soon as he starts playing, should assume a leadership role with Detroit.

Simply put: Cade Cunningham can take it, while Simmons has shown he can not.