After an distinctive season final yr, Detroit Pistons Guard Cade Cunningham confirmed he’s on his strategy to turning into a star participant within the NBA. As the previous No. 1 choose prepares for what many consider might be a breakthrough, followers are outraged to see his place in a current participant rankings.
This week, the ESPN group put collectively its record of the 100 finest gamers within the NBA forward of the 2024-25 season. As anticipated, Cunningham was the Pistons’ highest-ranked participant. He got here in at 67th place, a spot that many think about too low. A number of the gamers immediately forward of Cunningham embrace Draymond Inexperienced, Malik Monk, Immanuel Quickley and Khris Middleton.
ESPN ranks NBA gamers 51-100:
51.OG Anunoby
52.Franz Wagner
53.RJ Barrett
54.Alperen Sengun
55.Jaren Jackson Jr.
56.Dereck Vigorous II
57.Darius Garland
58.Coby Blanc
59.Alex Caruso
60.Desmond Bane
61.Joseph Hart
62.Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
63.Khris Middleton
64.Emmanuel Quickley… pic.twitter.com/mXGJ4i2ND5– NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 15, 2024
Because the rankings proceed to flow into on social media, numerous followers have spoken out towards Cunningham being positioned too low:
I simply unfollowed ESPN pic.twitter.com/ADSxKn0SJW
– Playoff Metropolis (@playoffcity) October 15, 2024
These ESPN rankings are all the time debatable, however Cade, at 67, is likely to be the worst particular person rating ever.
-KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) October 15, 2024
No, that is blasphemy… no approach all these guys are higher than Cade Cunningham lol https://t.co/7VH55cFaCW pic.twitter.com/yVOBADvwVO
– Éric Vincent (@IAmEricVincent) October 15, 2024
Gamers ranked forward of Cade Cunningham (#67) within the ESPN High 100:
Emmanuel Quickley (64)
Coby White (58)
Derek Vigorous (56)
RJ Barrett (53)I am confused. pic.twitter.com/ZnXzz13Idx
– Jack Kelly (@pistons_jack) October 15, 2024
ESPN obtained “Derek Vigorous” vs. Cade Cunningham of their prime 100 LMAO, the disrespect is loopy 🤦♂️
– Mob (@MobHoops) October 15, 2024
After enjoying simply 12 video games in 2023, Cunningham nonetheless managed to take a step ahead in his growth final season. He put up one of the best numbers of his younger profession, averaging 22.7 PPG and seven.5 RPG over 62 video games. After a wholesome offseason, the Pistons ought to proceed to construct on their sturdy 2024 marketing campaign this season and past.
Up to now within the preseason, Cunningham has proven in flashes {that a} breakout yr may very well be forward. He practically had a triple-double towards the Suns on Friday evening, posting a stat line of 25 factors, 12 rebounds, 9 assists and two steals.
Between one other yr within the league below his belt and the Pistons bettering this offseason, the items are in place for Cunningham to make “the soar” in 2025. If he is ready to take action, this below-average rating may change into much more apparent within the close to future. a number of months.