Cade Cunningham didn't have the greatest offensive game Friday against the Heat, but he maintained his superstar impact through strong defense. Among the top superstars in the league, Cade is one of the best defenders and that helps him stand out, even in games where his shot isn't falling. With that defense, Cade can persevere through some initial adversity in a game and keep it close until he's ready to take over in the clutch.
Other top stars aren't defending like Cade
Through the game against the Heat, Cade wasn't able to get into a good rhythm. The Heat threw pesky defender Davion Mitchell at him and made it a point to pressure him. Fortunately, the Pistons have other scoring options now and Cade was happy to let his teammates cook when he wasn't able to get it going.
He finished the game with just 16 points on 8 total shot attempts along with 8 assists. Those numbers aren't awful, especially considering that he made 5-of-8 shots from the field and 2-of-3 from deep. But Cade also had 7 turnovers in the game, which can be a killer for offensive momentum. However, he made up for his offensive mistakes with great defense, including 1 steal and 3 blocks.
Most other offensive engines in the league are not able to defend like Cade, since they lack either the size, quickness or motor. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stands out as a rare elite offensive weapon that matches Cade's defensive effort and production - and that's why he's won two MVPs in a row. Both Cade and Shai are able to help their teams acheive historic defensive heights because they are positives on defense while still carrying huge burdens on offense.
The Pistons will keep relying on Cade as a two-way force
Detroit might have to ask even more of Cade in coming games if Ausar Thompson isn't able to suit up. Thompson left the Heat game with an injury and his absence would leave a severe defensive hole for the team to fill.
Thompson will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by another strong defender to keep some of the burden off Cade. But Cade will still have important responsibilities in Detroit's defense, magnified by the absence of both Thompson and Jalen Duren. Cade has shown he can handle the two-way workload historically, so the Pistons will trust him to do it again.
A lesser or more specialized superstar wouldn't be able to meet the same demands. But Cade is unique among the NBA's best for his versatility. On any given night, he can be among the Pistons' best scorers, playmakers, defenders or even rebounders; it just depends what the team needs.
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