OKC Thunder: Shifts occur on Intentions week 4 rookie ladder
No. 4 – Cade Cunningham:
An ankle sprain delayed the top draft pick from making his NBA debut and initially, he struggled to shake off the rust and find his shot.
Through the first month, most rookies have participated in 13 to 14 matches but Cade Cunningham has half as many.
Rookie category rankings:
- Turnovers: 3.6 – first
- 3-pointers made: 2.0 – tied second
- Assists: 3.6 – third
- Double-Doubles: one (tied third)
- Rebounds: 5.5 – fourth
- Field Goals Made: 4.9 -fifth
- Steals: 1.0 – tied fifth
- Points: 13.4 -tied fifth
- Offensive rebounds: 1.4 – tied fifth
- Blocks: 0.4 – tied 11th
- Field Goal Percent: 34.9% (worst in top group)
In week four he had his own personal rookie rivalry tour facing the three prospects selected after him – Jalen Green (Rockets), Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), and Scottie Barnes (Raptors) collecting two wins in the process.
He averaged 13 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.7 blocks, 4.0 turnovers with improved efficiency from the field (44.4%) and perimeter (36.8%).
His best game came versus Green and the Rockets while his toughest game of the three was against the Raptors in spite of the win with Barnes defending him for most of the match.
While his turnovers need to come down and his efficiency needs to improve there are palpable signs he’s gaining confidence and beginning to put his imprint on this Pistons’ roster.
The only rookie category he leads is turnovers (not ideal) but he’s climbed into the top five of eight other statistical columns.