Cade Cunningham only scored two points in his NBA debut Saturday night, but he was happy to finally be on the court, writes Eric Woodyard of ESPN. A sprained ankle he suffered in training camp forced the overall No. 1 pick to miss the entire preseason and the Pistons‘ first four games.
“I think it was good. I feel like coming in, just being able to make some plays off the ball, get some rebounds. I felt like I was solid defensively,” he said. “And, I mean those are the points that I really wanted to come out and just prove to myself that my ankle was straight and that I could move, guard and do everything else. So, I got all the jitters out now and now I can just go play free.”
Because of lingering concerns about the ankle, Cunningham is beginning his NBA career under a restriction of 20 to 25 minutes per night. He played 18 minutes Saturday, recording seven rebounds and two assists while shooting just 1-of-8 from the field as Detroit picked up its first win of the season.
“I try to keep my energy in the right place,” Cunningham said. “I try to keep my head in the right place and so, my team, they know what they expect out of me, I know what I expect out of me, so that’s all that’s really mattering to me. People can say whatever they want, outside of that, but I probably won’t hear it.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Also making his season debut Saturday was Pacers swingman Caris LeVert, who suffered a stress fracture in his back during training camp, notes Akeem Glaspie of The Indianapolis Star. LeVert, who is dealing with a minutes restriction too, made an impact while he was on the court, scoring 15 points in 15 minutes. “The hope is that there wouldn’t be a long period where there’s a restriction but right now it’s just really hard to say, it’s really impossible to say,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “Would’ve been great to have him in the second half but that just wasn’t in the cards.”
- The Bulls will take steps not to lose an entire year of development for Patrick Williams, who will have surgery today to repair torn ligaments in his left wrist, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. ‘‘He’s probably going to lose a significant amount of muscle mass in his upper body because he’s not going to be able to lift or do anything from that standpoint,” coach Billy Donovan said. ‘‘The more we can keep him engaged with our team (the better) because what happens is the season is going on, and these games are coming and coming and coming, and he can feel like he’s over here on an island.’’
- Donovan tabbed Javonte Green to fill the open spot in the Bulls‘ starting lineup, just as he did when Williams had an ankle injury during the preseason, Cowley adds. Donovan explained that Green’s energy and versatility on defense make him a good fit with the team’s other starters.
Bulls now have Coby White back soon which makes him a prime candidate to be traded for a young PF. Since he’s behind Ball, Lavine, Derozan, Caruso, Green, and Dosunmu on the depth chart. Not to mention being the last lame draft pick by GarPax anyway. All the Bulls guards now play defense which is completely foreign to White. White for Bagley might make sense. They might both be useless but maybe change of scenery helps. Bagley makes 11 mil and Coby and Troy Brown both make 5+.
You wish. You trash a guy you want in a trade. Typical wannabee fan. Bagley might not be better than Luka. Cause that’s all they feed you. But he’s progressed as best he could in Sacramento. Not all that easy there in that mess. Only Knicks were worse with their picks. Bagley actually would be a great pickup. But it will cost more than White. And why would they want another guard ? Coby and a #1 pick might do it. I’d do it for that.
Reading is a skill. I said Brown and White makes the money work That’s enough for a guy they don’t even play.
Not to mention the Bulls have a big trade exemption to play with from the Theis deal. Bagley was the 3rd pick in the draft, White was 7th. 1 for 1 should be fine when the money works.
Ben doesn’t play either go get him according to that knowledge
Lol dude ben simmons is multi time all star, bagley is one of the worst second overall picks of all time, he will be remembered the same way sam Bowie is remembered…but the bulls honestly should just try to get Thad young back, shouldn’t cost too much, Coby white is actually what the bulls need because Coby is gonna be Lou Williams in 8 years, but we need the 8 year from now version today and that makes him our best trade chip…a knick fan goin crazy about nothing, never seen that before
Why are you here. You got clue where you are. Now it’s a done deal with your ignorance. I got you now.
That’s enough ???? Take your own advice.
Coby White is objectively better than Bagley though. He has his flaws but he’s a scoring machine. He has a bankable NBA skill, which at this point I’m not sure you can say about Bagley. At worst Coby is a serviceable 6th man with upside left. Bagley might be taking the vet minimum after his rookie deal is up. Coby + a 1 is a complete pipe dream.
I suggest you look up their stats. And Bagley has played less mins. First this isn’t about them. This is about a post about degrading the guy you suggest a trade for. Try and get all the Information, if you want in. I get you can’t see the talent. Since you only have fan vision. But see me in a few yrs. Bagley hasn’t had the right chance yet. And yet still put up decent numbers. A good big is always better than a good small. And Bulls have a need at the 4. But I don’t care who the Bulls play at the 4. Or did you miss that part.
Typical Knicks boor. I got you now Mr. Peabody.
Lmao what are you talking about? While I agree he degraded Coby while also wanting Coby, his trade offer was straight up–you criticized him for degrading Coby then turned around and had the Bulls add a 1st to the trade. (Or maybe he’s a Bulls fan who wants Bagley, but I don’t see where he degraded Bagley–especially not compared to his treatment of Coby). You’re talking out of both side of your you-know-what here. I do care who the Bulls play at the 4 and I’d rather keep Coby and run out DJJ/Alize then trade him for Bagley lol. If they’re offering up Coby they could do better, especially with a 1st attached.
And while we’re offering suggestions I’d suggest you actually watch basketball instead of relying on stat reading.
Yeah the kings already have about 4 Point guards that are all better than White.
However I wouldn’t give up a first round pick for Bagley either considering he’s on a expiring deal and the kings don’t want him. His value is pretty low.
Derrick Jones Jr for Bagley would be better for the kings and probably not to much for the bulls to give up.
White is no PG. He’s a 2 or a 3.
Yeah except Bulls drafted him to be one. Since he was more a combo guard in college. Unfortunately they didn’t really help him to be one. Not a bad talent to me.
6-21-2019 ——- Chicago Tribune
“Bulls hope selection of Coby White with No. 7 pick will solve their point guard problem: ‘I’ve been competing all my life”
link to chicagotribune.com
He was drafted by GarPax who missed on every draft pick they ever made. Who cares what he was drafted as, He is what he is. A 2 or a 3. Please stop the Ben Simmons nonsense. He hung around the Kardashian’s so now he pouts like a little girl. AK and Eversley got Ayo in the 2nd round which is better than any pick GarPax ever made. We don’t want little girls in Chicago. No babies allowed.
I don’t watch Bulls basketball often but how is White a 2 or 3?
He’s listed as a point guard, 6’4 has a career average of 14-4-4 and has always played the point for as far as I remember.
They tried him on the point. It was a disaster. All he does well is shoot. He plays no defense. So a guy who only shoots and does nothing else particularly well is a 2, or a small 3. Either way, he gives up as many points as he gets. But there are teams who love that, Like the Kings. They’ve been trying to get Lavine ever since the Bulls got him.
But 4 assists show he also gets playmaking duties a lot of the time he’s on the court, so hes the point. Considering he spent I’d say 90% of his career ever as a point I’m calling him a point
This comment is “useless.”
So is commenting uninformed. Like a used Trojan
Glad to see LaVert back. This was suppose to be his breakout year. Pacers off to a bad start. But I still see them in the playoffs.
I don’t expect CHI to go after a starting caliber PF. If they acquire a starter, I think it will be a guy more along the lines of a wing defender, or 3/4. They need to replace PW’s skills on the court, not just slide in someone with the same position designation (which, in this case, is largely meaningless). Maybe a couple of backup types to split the minutes, but relieving DeRozen from the chore of chasing young wings around is more important than another power player.
All I’m saying. After losing Williams. Bagley is a nice pickup. Especially if you get him cheap. He’s a smart player that can do well next to Vucevic. I’m just always amazed how we give up so fast on young players. I’m never influenced by outsiders or media.
He can play with Vucevic. I just don’t think CHI would use their limited in-season trade resources to add an offensive big when the team without Williams is so heavily titled offense (it was tiled offense even with Williams), with three high volume shot takers. Also, CHI, in win now mode, might not be the best slot for him to get the minutes, role and shots he needs to show his game (he’s a RFA at the end of the year). I don’t disagree that Bagley needs a change of scenery.