Carmelo Anthony Highlights Key Skill Cade Cunningham Must Develop
Carmelo Anthony shared advice for Cade Cunningham that could elevate his basketball performance significantly. Cunningham has quietly become one of the NBA’s most promising young talents, but Anthony sees room for growth that could push him into superstar territory.
Anthony’s Perspective on Cunningham’s Growth
Despite Cunningham's steady progress since being the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Anthony notes that only one aspect of his game has clearly developed: his feel for basketball.
“His feel. Like, the feel for the game, his flow of the game,” Anthony explained on his podcast 7PM in Brooklyn.
The White Hat and Leadership Role
Anthony emphasized Cunningham’s emerging leadership, describing it with a metaphor:
“I think what we’re seeing with Cade, he’s starting to understand that he’s wearing the white hat and he’s running that organ. So, with that comes confidence. With that comes responsibility, too.”
He believes Cunningham is realizing he leads the Detroit Pistons, which influences his on-court performance and mindset.
Improved Passing and Playmaking
- In his rookie season, Cunningham averaged 5.6 assists per game.
- Last season, he increased to 9.1 assists per game.
- This season, he is maintaining an average of 9 assists per game, ranking among the league's top passers.
This evolution in playmaking underscores Cunningham’s growing confidence and command of his team’s offense.
Author’s Summary
Carmelo Anthony believes Cade Cunningham’s key to superstardom lies in embracing his leadership role and continuing to develop his feel and flow for the game.