Since the All-Star Break, Cade Cunningham has put on a passing clinic and showing that he can threaten Scott Skiles' legendary 30-assist record in a single game one day. Cunningham is developing his all-around offensive game, but his playmaking remains his greatest strength. Cade has shown that, unlike many other modern stars, he prefers to pick teams apart with his passing rather than scoring in blowout wins.
Perhaps Cade's best display of his passing recently came in the rout of the Nets on March 10th. In just 26 minutes, he had 15 assists while leading the Pistons to a 38-point win. He was able to effectively set up his teammates in the perfect spots to maximize their individual skillsets while remaining surgical in his execution. He also only had 2 turnovers in the game.
Cade Cunningham can challenge a 36-year old record
The NBA's all-time assist record for a single game still stands from 1990, when the Magic's Scott Skiles dished out 30 dimes in a single contest. He played 44 minutes in a 39-point victory where his team scored 155 points. The record has gone relatively unthreatened in recent years, although Rajon Rondo did have 25 assists in just 30 minutes in 2017.
However, Cade Cunningham definitely has the potential to approach this record one day. Think about it this way: he's regularly putting up easy double-digit assist games in low minutes during blowout wins now without the best offensive supporting cast. The Pistons have a great defense behind head coach JB Bickerstaff's strong system, but don't have a plethora of shooters like other modern teams.
If the Pistons eventually add more offensive firepower and Cade gets into a rhythm, I can easily see him threatening Skiles' record. He has a career-high of 18 currently, which he has met twice in the last two seasons. But Cade is rapidly improving as a decision-maker and processor still. And he's also got games with 8 assists in a single quarter, including that recent Nets game.
An all-time record will cement Cade Cunningham's legacy
Bam Adebayo's recent 83-point scoring explosion has sent shockwaves around the league of players' potential to break historic records. Adebayo wasn't an expected choice to have the most points in a single game since Wilt Chamberlain's 100 in 1962, but Cade breaking the assist record makes much more sense. He is second in the league this season in assists per game and first in total assists.
Cade has already established his legacy in Detroit after leading the Pistons to an all-time turnaround in just two seasons. But breaking a long-standing record will help entrench him in the history books for every casual fan as well.