Amid this dismal Pistons season, Cade Cunningham has been one of the few bright spots, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press notes.
Cunningham is averaging 23.4 points, 7.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 45.1% overall, 33.3% on threes, and 87% at the free throw line. Cunningham missed most of last season due to shin surgery.
“I’m steadily growing,” Cunningham said. “I feel the growth. Reaching those different markers, having 40-point games, something that I had never done. It gives you something to look at to feel it out. Sometimes that’s all it takes, is just feeling it for the first time. And then you know what it takes.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo often offers blunt assessments when the Bucks aren’t playing well and Saturday was a case in point. After losing to Houston 112-108, the superstar forward ripped his team’s defensive mindset. “Offense gonna be there some nights and some nights it’s not going to be there. Your defensive effort, though, has got to be there. And defensively I don’t think it was not there. There was no pride,” he said, per Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Guys were just driving the ball, straight line drive, getting to the paint, overhelping, shooting threes, offensive rebounds. There was nothing. This was not who we are. “
- Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic returned from injuries on Friday. Now, the Bulls hit a soft spot in their schedule and need to take advantage of it, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago writes. “We’ve had stretches where we’ve played really good as a team when everybody is out there,” guard Alex Caruso said. “There’s no reason with those two guys, who have each been in the league for a decade-plus, we can’t do what we want to do. It’s nothing out of their capabilities.”
- Bulls guard Coby White has put himself in the discussion for the Most Improved Player award. White believes the next step in his development is becoming more of an off-the-ball threat, Jim Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. “I need to watch more film on moving without the ball, getting into those open areas,” he said “(Caruso) does that really well and JC (Jevon Carter) does it really well, finding open areas, knowing drives and where to be. I want to play off those closeouts because I feel that’s where I’m most impactful, playing off the closeouts with either catch-and-shoots or driving it and get my play-making involved.”
Ya think giannis regrets trading Jrue for no D-Amian Lillard yet?
I feel more sorry for Caruso tbh he could be playing winning bball but he’s stuck in the land of BullS
He has a ring already. As long as he seems happy why feel sorry? He’s said nothing but + things abt chi and his body language signifies he’s invested. Bulls aren’t a contender but relevant enough to be kinda fun . He likely won’t retire a bull so he’ll get his chances for another chip, don’t worry
He probably does miss Jure. They went through battles together but they traded a top rated defense and a middling offense for a top rated offense with middling defense so it balances out in the end. The Bucks certainly have a more dynamic playmaker though and that will show when it matters come playoff time.
It does sound like the equipment manager needs to step his uniform washing game though.
Except Jrue had the ability to put up strong numbers offensively when necessary. When will the Bucks get a good to great defensive game from Lillard? His lack of defense is going to hurt them more come playoff time.
Bucks are 25-11 with Middleton not showing out yet. Bucks are still finding their groove. Getting Crowder back will help their D. They will be there with Celtics. Fighting to come out of East. Dillard has never won a ring. He will definitely show up in playoffs.
Trade AJ Green for Wesley Matthews. Sign John Butler and Kai Jones on two ways. Maybe trade Cam P with picks for a defensive back up PG