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Cade Cunningham's rise to superstardom is complete and it's glorious
TL;DR
Cade Cunningham led the Detroit Pistons to a comeback victory against the Orlando Magic, overcoming a 3-1 deficit. Despite struggles in the series, his performance solidified his status as a key player.
Key points
- Cade Cunningham led the Pistons to a comeback victory
- Pistons overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Magic
- Cunningham shot 42 percent from the field
- He committed 27 turnovers in the series
- His performance solidified his status as a key player
Detroit PistonsOrlando MagicCade Cunningham
I'll admit it without hesitation.
I didn't expect the Detroit Pistons to come back from a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic. In fact, as some of you dear readers may remember, I was ready to bury the Pistons after the Magic stole Game 1 on the road in Detroit. I was ultimately proven wrong. I will be wrong in the future, too. Such is life in trying to predict the chaos of playoff basketball. But to me, above all, credit is due for the one young man who put the Pistons on his back.
Of course, I'm talking about Cade Cunningham. The young point guard may as well have donned a red cape to take the Pistons to the second round.
Let's be clear. At times, Cunningham struggled mightily with being the only consistent offensive option against a strong defensive team like the Magic. Through the first four games of this first-round series, Cunningham shot just 39-of-92 from the field (42 percent). With 27 total giveaways at the same time, he was a turnover machine with a loose dribble, seeing him give the ball away to any semblance of additional defensive pressure. I couldn't blame Cunningham too much for trying to solve Orlando's tenacious defense without a real running mate, but it was still tough to watch him look like a bona fide playoff dropper.
When it comes to being a real No. 1 option, heavy is the head that wears the crown.
But something curious happened as the Pistons crawled out of a 3-1 hole. When Detroit no longer had any margin for error, Cunningham rose to the occasion. That same Magic defense that stuffed him and a lifeless Pistons offense into a locker during the first half of the series? Suddenly, it had no answer for Cunningham's craftiness and methodical patience as a scorer. He kept getting to his spots on the court while doing whatever he wanted. The dam broke in a 24-point comeback win in Game 6, where Cunningham kept pushing and pushing until there was no longer any resistance. His average numbers in Games 5-7 â 36 points, 5 rebounds, almost 7 assists, and over 61 percent shooting from behind the arc â read like something out of a video game.
This Pistons comeback was as big a statement for the 24-year-old Cunningham as I could imagine. Like any modern NBA face-of-the-league-caliber player, he solved a team that thought it had him backed into a corner. He found a groove and a zone the Magic could no longer reach. That speaks volumes.
Q&A
How did Cade Cunningham perform against the Orlando Magic?
Cade Cunningham struggled with his shooting, hitting only 42 percent from the field and committing 27 turnovers in the series.
What was the outcome of the Pistons vs. Magic playoff series?
The Detroit Pistons came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series against the Orlando Magic.
What challenges did Cade Cunningham face in the playoffs?
Cunningham faced challenges as the primary offensive option against a strong Magic defense, leading to high turnover rates and inconsistent shooting.
What does Cade Cunningham's performance mean for his future?
Cunningham's ability to lead the Pistons to the second round despite challenges indicates his potential to become a superstar in the NBA.
