
Expectations often lead to rash analysis, and Cade Cunningham has been a victim of this in his first weeks as an NBA player. The number one from the last draft was unable to start the season from the start due to an ankle injury. Upon his return, the performance and percentages shown on the track placed him on infamous lists among the worst number 1s in history, sharing the dubious honor with illustrious such as Anthony Bennet. Now, with a few positive performances behind him, Cunningham takes criticism with some humor. Many people have hinted that I am a puff. I see it funny » declares for The Undefeated.
The young man does not deny that these criticisms have caught his attention. It’s something I take note of. I said to myself ‘Well, we’ll see.’ He also says that at no point was he concerned that his boot was looser than expected. “I am a person who faces life believing that each day will be better than the last, so I knew it was going to turn around.”
After eleven games, Cade Cunningham still struggles against poor shooting percentages —35% from the field and 25% from the 3-pointer — but he is already the second-highest scorer and assistant among all players. rookies. And, above all, it has already left samples of why its number one was irrefutable by compression and dominance of the game. Cunningham may not end up being the Rookie of the Year or even the best player in the litter, but it has taken little time to see just how exaggerated the first impressions that emerged from his debut were.
(Cover photos by Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)