Cade Cunningham impressed at Team USA scrimmages. Can he use his size, strength, and pace to his advantage similar to Luka Doncic?
Team USA prepared for the FIBA World Cup with a scrimmage against the Select Team. Something Team USA coach Steve Kerr called, "a time-honored tradition in USA Basketball." The Select Team is made up of a mix of younger and older players.
Among the Select Team members, Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham stood out. Cunningham only played 12 games last season before undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left leg. This was Cade Cunningham's first time back in a competitive setting on the court since Nov. 9. However, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN, "On Friday, Cunningham didn't look like he'd missed a day on the court."
Kerr said in order to help the national team prepare for a potential matchup against Doncic in the World Cup he worked on the role with Select Team coach Jamahl Mosley. Insert Cade Cunningham, who played the role of Luka Doncic so well, that he might need to consider bringing that bag of tricks into the 23-24 season.
Ways Cade Cunningham can mimic Luka Doncic: 3. Using his size
At 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, Luka Doncic is not a small wing. This could explain why Doncic can sometimes reach the rim with ease. In some cases, all he has to do is back down a smaller defender, give them a good bump, and put it up for an easy two. In fact, Luka attempted 364 field goals from less than five feet last season. 259 of the 364 shots were successful, giving him a 71.2 field goal percentage.
Cade could certainly mimic Doncic through his size. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft is 6-foot-6 and 220 lbs, not too far off from Doncic. Although his sample size is much smaller than Doncic's, Cunningham attempted 56 field goals from less than five feet away last season. He found the net 30 times and earned a field goal percentage of 53.6 percent. Cade's size is identical to Doncic's and would allow him to finish inside over smaller defenders. If he can get his defender down low, he'll reap the rewards. Cade just needs to be healthy to prove it.
Ways Cade Cunningham can mimic Luka Doncic: 2. Using his strength
During the Team USA Scrimmages, it was said that Cade's strength was especially evident — as was the fact that Cunningham had noticeably added muscle to his frame. In fact, after the scrimmages, Coach Steve Kerr raved about Cade saying, "he's a guy who can really control a game from that point guard spot with his size and physicality."
Another way the Pistons should mimic Doncic is through Cunningham's strength. Luka's strength allows him to get to his spot quickly. Doncic made 694 shots in the paint and restricted area combined last season. His strength allows him to play slow and forces defenders to foul or misjudge, resulting in easy layups and free throws.
The same could apply to Cade, who, unlike Luka, settled for too many pull-up jumpers. Last season, Luka shot 115 pull-ups. Cade, on the other hand, shot 76. Luka played 54 more games than Cade, so these numbers are concerning. Cunningham should mimic Doncic by not insisting on the pull-up jumper as much and instead relying on his strength to get him either a layup or a trip to the free throw line.
Ways Cade Cunningham can mimic Luka Doncic: 1. Playing with intentional pace
Although Luka Doncic beats defenders one-on-one, his average speed on the court is only 3.35 miles per hour. Meaning behind Tyler Dorsey, Luka is the second-slowest Maverick. However, it's this pace of play that allows Luka to read his defender and the defense successfully.
One way the Pistons could mimic Luka is by implementing this relaxed pace from Cade. The Pistons finished 28th in offensive rating. Cade's average speed is 4.18 miles per hour, making him the third slowest Piston. Given he just returned from a serious injury, don't be surprised if Cade slows down even more next season, which may be helpful.
As a point guard, you need to remain two steps ahead of the defense. Putting Cunningham in high pick-and-rolls, as the Mavericks do with Luka, and letting him dictate the pace would benefit the Pistons.
