Cade Cunningham is a unique player in the modern NBA. His cadence and calm playing style are a throwback to a prior generation, which has often drawn comparisons to Trail Blazers' legend Brandon Roy. In an interview with journalist Landon Buford, Roy himself has acknowledged the similarities between his game and Cade's.
Brandon Roy: One of the best in his era
The comparison between the two star guards hasn’t just been made by fans, but also frequently by retired players who competed against Roy. Both star guards have been well-renowned for their high skill level and basketball IQ, in addition to their formidable size.
Roy peaked on the second team All-NBA and was a multi-time All-Star. In his best season, he averaged 22, 5 and 5 while gaining the respect of the league’s biggest stars. He had a well-crafted game based on skill and patience, rather than athleticism.
Cade is a relative rarity in today’s NBA as a star without any significant flaws in his game. With the advance of analytics, many teams are built around stars who specialize in certain skills and well-rounded role players to make up for their deficiencies.
However, Cade is a true do-it-all guard like Roy was in his prime. Offensively, neither have weaknesses in any area of the court and are true three-level scorers. Both are capable playmakers as well, with Cade being one of the top assist men in the entire league.
Cade’s well-rounded game makes him harder to gameplan for in the playoffs. His multiple counters allow him to get his shot off no matter the defensive coverage, and his playmaking is also an advantage when teams double. He does still need a true co-star to unlock his and the Pistons’ true potential.
Brandon Roy had some incredible playoff moments of his own, even in a prime shortened by injuries. The highlights included a 42-point outburst in just his second playoff game and a game-winner against the eventual 2011 champion Dallas Mavericks in the first round.
Although injuries derailed Roy and his team too much to ever win a series in a grueling Western Conference, Cade Cunningham would be happy to replicate some of Roy’s individual performances. The tough shot-making and offensive versatility that Roy displayed was perfect for countering some of the best defenses in the league.
Cade’s ability to replicate Roy’s well-rounded game is almost entirely unmatched in today’s NBA. Very few stars have the ability to contribute on both ends in as many facets as Cade. Hopefully Cade can continue his trajectory and take his game to the next level as he enters his prime.
Cunningham had his own injury concerns in the first couple seasons of his career, but has hopefully put that in the rear view mirror now. Pistons fans are hoping for good health in the rest of his career, and an evolution of what Roy could have become.