Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey detailed that No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham still has plenty of room to grow and reach his full potential.
Cunningham through four games has been a bit inconsistent as he knocks off some rust after missing most of training camp and the preseason with an ankle injury. However, he looks to be rounding into form, totaling 35 points over his last two games.
The Pistons knew coming into his debut that he would need some time to adjust to the NBA and Casey reiterated that statement on Monday, saying he is still learning the league.
I’m not making excuses for him, and I’m as hard on him as anybody, but you miss a month of training camp where you get all of the basics, you don’t play in any exhibition games and come into this league and try to perform, that is difficult to do. I’m giving him a mulligan on that one.
This is nowhere near what he can be and will be as a player. There is just so much to learn, so much to go through for him and the team when your quarterback is down a little bit. He has a lot of growing to do but I have all of the confidence in the world he is going to get there because of his ability and IQ.
Casey said over the weekend that he can see Cunningham progressing and improving in each game on the court. Cunningham has also said that he continues to feel more comfortable with each game and that should happen throughout the season.
Despite missing so much time, Casey knew it wouldn’t take Cunningham long to pick things up because of his high basketball IQ. That certainly appears to be the case during his initial run with the Pistons.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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