NBA Stat Highlights Cade Cunningham's Impact on Detroit Pistons

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By JH Kubicek | Last updated Mar 23, 2025 1:03 PM ET

The Detroit Pistons, after years of being at the bottom of the NBA standings, finally have a franchise player, some direction, and a solid supporting cast around him. Cade Cunningham has broken out as one of the best point guards in the NBA, and his ability to do a little bit of everything makes him truly unique.

In past seasons, he demonstrated flashes of excellence, but questionable health and horrible shooting around him made it difficult for him to take advantage of his passing, which has become elite this season.

Unlike most point guards, he doesn't rely on just drive-and-kicks or pinpoint passes from the perimeter to rack up his 9.2 assists per game. Instead, he is able to unlock an entirely new aspect of ball movement.

In the modern NBA, players simply don't use post moves as much as they used to. Quicker pace, deeper shots, and a more perimeter-focused offensive emphasis have all but killed the post-game.

At 6-foot-6, Cunningham is trying to tap into a bygone era of basketball, but he adds a modern twist.

"Only 24 players have ended plays on 100 or more post-ups this season," wrote The Athletic's Fred Katz. "Not only is he the NBA’s most efficient performer in those situations, but the Pistons score an unthinkable 128.6 points per 100 possessions off his post-ups, according to Second Spectrum. He’s also handling them in a one-of-a-kind way: No one passes out of the post more than Cunningham. Twenty-three percent of his post-ups finish in assists, also the highest figure in the league."

Cunningham isn't looking to score when he gets in the post. Instead, he can kick the ball out after rocking the defense to sleep, he can find a cutting big for an easy--and flashy--lob, or he can draw contact and get his way to the free throw line.

Unlike post players of the past, Cunningham uses the block as a base to run the offense, not to end plays, but when he sets up shop, good things happen for the Pistons.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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