Pistons’ Trajan Langdon: Playoff Experience Changes Everything for Cade Cunningham

Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon made that clear when speaking with reporters, via Coty M. Davis of the Detroit News. Langdon point out that Cunningham’s breakout year — one that included his first All-Star nod and averages of 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists over 70 games — has flipped the script.

“He was looking at other players and had a target on their backs, and now, he is going to have a target on his,” Langdon said. “Players are going to be like, ‘Man, I am going against Cade Cunningham tonight. I’m going to get my rest because people are going to be watching.’”

That attention is only expected to grow, especially after a playoff debut that saw New York hound the 6-foot-6 guard with physicality and multiple defensive looks, limiting him to 42.6% shooting in the six-game series.

Langdon said he and coach J.B. Bickerstaff emphasized one theme during Cunningham’s exit interview: be ready.

“The big thing for him, and we talked to him about it, get into elite shape,” Langdon added. “He is incredibly skilled and talented. He understands the leadership of it. He now has a little bit of late-season and playoff experience, he knows how it feels. So, now, he has an understanding of what he is training for in the summer. If you have never experienced playoff basketball, you don’t understand the level you have to go to. He should be training for the first and second rounds of the playoffs. Not just Game 45 (of the regular season) anymore.”

That experience is in the rearview. The expectations are straight ahead.