After a physical series against the Knicks in which Cade Cunningham was the focus of the New York defense, it’s clear what he needs to work on this summer: Getting stronger.
The Detroit Pistons couldn’t have asked for much more out of Cunningham this season, as he improved every aspect of the game and led his team to the playoffs, usually while facing the other team’s best defender who was helped by constant double teams and traps.
With Jaden Ivey out and no clear number two scoring option, it was on Cunningham to create everything, a burden that will take its toll on anyone throughout the course of a long regular season.
Cunningham has clearly put on muscle and strength since he entered the league and will need that to continue this offseason if the Pistons want to take the next step.
Cade Cunningham’s offseason starts in the weight room
Cunningham is fresh off the healthiest season of his career, and he’ll need to keep that up if the Pistons are to make the next step as a team.
Any lengthy injury to Cunningham would doom the season, which is the primary argument for getting another star player. It’s possible that guy is already on the team, but the Pistons can’t have the entirety of their success resting on Cunningham only.
Being in elite condition will make injuries less likely, so I am hoping Cunningham goes the LeBron James route by taking advantage of everything at his disposal to get into the best shape of his life this summer. One of the reasons LeBron has had such a long productive career is that he puts in the effort to keep his body in elite condition.
Doing so will not only lessen the chance of injury but will help him endure what is going to be a long season
He’s going to have a target on his back next season after a likely All-NBA appearance, and teams know the best way to stop the Pistons is to make things difficult for Cade. That means constant double teams, hard fouls, physicality and bumping him every chance they get.
The good news is that Cunningham already has a physical advantage over most defenders, but to really take that next step, he needs to be even bigger, even stronger.
It will help him finish the layups he often missed at the rim, which is the biggest difference between him and a guy like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is an elite finisher within five feet.
Although Cunningham played well in the playoffs, there were signs of fatigue as the season wound down, which was compounded by the mental burden of carrying the team.
Cunningham can make it easier on himself by getting stronger, as he has in every offseason, so that he’ll be better equipped to finish around the rim, take the bumps and emerge from the season healthy again.
Cunningham has all of the skills in his bag and even improved defensively, so the final step will be to get in elite condition so he’s ready to carry the team deep into the playoffs.