Tag: dwane casey

Rod Beard: #Pistons Dwane Casey on Saddiq Bey’s 51 pts: “You see it coming and think, ‘Why not?’ … that’s going to give him a jolt of confidence that you won’t believe.”

The coaching staff is aware Cunningham is playing a lot of minutes, but it’s a balancing act as the team tries to stay competitive while awaiting the return of multiple players. “We have to be careful with that,” coach Dwane Casey said after the Pistons’ 106-102 loss to the Clippers. “That has a lot to do with Killian out. We’re competing and that’s a lot to ask of (Saben Lee) to go in there and close the game out. Cade’s producing for us. He’s getting things done in certain areas. I thought he had a good, solid defensive game. He had nine rebounds. Hard to take a guy out, but we have to watch his minutes and not worry about giving some other guys some opportunities. That will take care of itself once Killian and Rodney come back.”

Cunningham, in 48 games, is averaging 16.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals this season on 40% shooting from the field. He currently leads the rookie class in scoring average and field goals made per game (6.1), and is second in assists. He is among several first-year players that have impressed this season in a rookie class that, as a whole, appears to be one of the best in recent memory. Pistons head coach Dwane Casey, unsurprisingly, would take Cunningham over those other rookies based on his performance this year.

Casey explained why Cunningham has been so special. I’m biased because I think Cade has played excellent basketball. I still think he is top of the list just because he sees the floor. He is a leader. He has that ‘it’ factor. Someone asked me who I’ve had like him, (Kyle) Lowry was like that. He had that ‘it’ factor. Close games, he makes big buckets, big plays. He talks in timeouts and in practice so I’m impressed with Cade with that.

James Edwards III: Casey on getting Bagley acclimated over the break: “We gave him a video playbook.” Said the terminology is different and that’ll help him get adjust. “He’s a smart young man.”

James Edwards III: Casey on Cade: “He’s doesn’t like losing, but he also doesn’t like making mistakes. … In late games, he has that gene.”