o\/u 29.5 – OVER <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the first time since Detroit chose Rodney Stuckey over Chauncey Billups in 2008, Pistons\u2019 fans have reason to be excited. After three straight 20-win seasons, they are poised to take a leap out of the torments of the league on the shoulders of the 2021 No. 1 pick, Cade Cunningham. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Detroit has 10 players under the age of 24. Third year players Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes and Isaiah Stewart are the longest tenured players. This offseason, they added two more pups to the group via the draft: Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cunningham, 21, is taking on more of a leadership role this year. Cade told Marc Spears for Andscape<\/a>, leadership is one of his qualities he thought played a role in him being the number one pick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere are a lot of different reasons why I was picked No. 1, but I think it is just who I am as a person. One of the main reasons is the Pistons are confident that I can be good in any room and can communicate with people. That\u2019s something you really want. And the first pick is somebody that can turn into a leader for your team and be a franchise guy.<\/em>\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Zach Lowe asked Cunningham ahead of his second season if he felt he was living up to the high standards he set for a No. 1, \u201cThat\u2019s something I’ve always taken seriously. I think I’m living up to it \u2013 I’m still growing in my role every day. I’m trying to figure out my game, the team’s game \u2013 how we can be better, but it all works together. We’re growing each day.<\/em>\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mirin Fader of The Ringer<\/a> confirmed Cade\u2019s claims in her Detroit profile while detailing the inseparable nature of Cunningham and Ivey\u2019s relationship. \u201cWhen you find one of them, you can usually find the other,\u201d she writes about the rookie-sophomore backcourt duo who rebound one another\u2019s free throws every day after practice. Even with only one season under his belt, Cunningham understands the importance of building rapport in the locker room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI try to learn where guys are coming from – whoever I’m playing with – because it\u2019s a long season. You gotta have a connection with whoever you\u2019re playing with because through the season it starts to feel like you’re going to war with these guys.<\/em>\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a \u201cbig brother\u201d in Cunningham, Detroit hopes will return dividends for Ivey. The combination of the two will create opportunities for each to accel in aspects other than dominating the ball. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pistons experimented with Cunningham playing off-ball last season, but tended to revert to him initiating offense in times of trouble. With Ivey, Cunningham will have more opportunities to catch the ball off of a pin-down screen and look to turn the corner quickly with or without a ball screen. This, along with his veteran-like patience in the paint, will give Cunningham more chances to spoon feed the bigs and increase trips to the free throw line. In his rookie campaign, he shot 42% from the field and a large part of his efficiency concerns came from him attempting only 2.6 free throws a game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ivey, the fifth pick in the draft, is already facing hefty comparisons. The son of Nielle Ivey, 2001 NCAA Champion with Notre Dame and Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award winner, Jaden doesn\u2019t just bear his mother\u2019s last name, he also has that dog in him. In a post-draft interview with Bleacher Report\u2019s Taylor Rooks<\/a>, he credited his mom with instilling him with that mentality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n