At the start of training camp, the Pistons young players are raring to go and display their skills after an offseason of work. The team is teeming with elite athletes across the board, but Tobias Harris thinks the best one is still underrated. After practice, he said that the best athlete on the team is someone “that no one knows about” and refused to elaborate further.
Who’s the mystery superlative winner?
Harris’ comment has sparked curiosity amongst Pistons fans. We know the usual suspects very well: Jaden Ivey with his blistering speed, Ausar Thompson with his unique blend of quickness and verticality, and Jalen Duren with his strength and jumping ability. Who could possibly exceed all of these guys as a pure athlete while flying under the radar?
Really, Harris’ comment stirs excitement by adding hope of another emergent star. Whether it’s a bench player showcasing shocking attributes or even Cade Cunningham unleashing his athleticism a bit more, it could be a significant development if it’s enough to catch Uncle T’s eye like this.
Cade Cunningham would be a very interesting contender for the team’s best athlete. He typically plays in a more reserved style that’s not overly reliant on athleticism, but he does have a nice highlight reel when he uses his full length and speed. Just last season, he gave us plenty of poster dunks, straight-up blocks against big men and even chase-downs on quick guards.
If Cade’s playing with a mean streak and asserting his physicality already, it could be a sign that he’s ready to take the next step. Dominating the game physically as well as mentally will get him into the conversation of overall best players in the league, rather than keeping him stuck with qualifiers like “best young guard” or “best point guard in the East”.
Tobias bestowing the title of best athlete to a bench player is arguably even more exciting. Ron Holland II doesn’t quite fit the “sleeper” descriptor but standing out over Ausar still means he’s improved a lot. Ron’s progression has been touted all summer long and this would be the next step in singing his praises.
But imagine if a deeper rotation guy like Marcus Sasser or even Daniss Jenkins was the one blowing everyone away in practice. Getting a pleasant surprise in athleticism from a projected bench warmer gives the Pistons even more depth. Impressing with athleticism and especially showing it on defense is definitely the way for a fringe player to secure his rotation spot on this team.
For a team already known as one of the most athletic in the entire NBA, adding another surprise athlete is a luxury of riches that makes this season that much more exciting.