There’s a brand new public enemy No. 1 at Madison Sq. Backyard — and no, his title isn’t Trae Younger.
This time, it’s Cade Cunningham — the Detroit Pistons’ rising star and the participant standing between the Knicks and a 3rd straight journey to the second spherical of the playoffs.
Cunningham didn’t simply mild the Knicks up throughout the common season. He picked them aside. In 4 video games, the Pistons’ All-Star averaged 31 factors and eight assists whereas taking pictures higher than 50 % from each the sphere and past the arc.
If the Knicks are going to get previous this bodily, hard-nosed Detroit crew, it begins with chopping the top off the snake.
“He’s had a terrific season. It’s not just us, he’s done it against everybody,” mentioned Tom Thibodeau. “We understand that. Every game that you have, a team is going to have certain strengths. You have to have the proper amount of respect. With great players you don’t guard them individually, you guard them collectively. So we have to understand what goes into that.”
EXPANDED GAME
It’s not simply that Cunningham can rating from all three ranges. His leap this yr got here in how he elevated these round him. Including veterans like Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. didn’t simply enhance Detroit’s depth — it helped unlock their star’s playmaking.
“Throughout the whole year, just a really good player. [He’s] just got his own pace to him,” mentioned Mikal Bridges. “He’s calm at all times… Making more reads. Getting other guys open… still getting other guys going knowing he has more opportunities. So I think that was the biggest thing I’ve seen from him.”
The outcome? A leap worthy of Most Improved Participant. Cunningham went from 22.7 to 26.1 factors per recreation, 7.5 to 9.1 assists, all whereas bumping up his taking pictures percentages from the sphere. He’s now a lock for All-NBA, and the Pistons more-than tripled their win rely from 14 wins to 44 this season amid Cunningham’s emergence.
“He’s been playing great — I guess as everyone’s expected, and he’s showing that ability,” mentioned Jalen Brunson. “It’s gonna be a challenge regardless, and he’s playing at a high level, and we just gotta be ready.”
MATCHUP FUN
When Tom Thibodeau was requested if OG Anunoby may get the Cunningham task, the same old poker face cracked. The coach recognized for enjoying lineup selections near the vest didn’t give his traditional, deadpan “could be” response.
This time, his eyes lit up. Thibodeau grinned.
“Oh we could!” he mentioned, beaming — as if the reply have been sure with out a shadow of a doubt.
It was a uncommon second of levity. A coach whose each rotation is usually guarded like a state secret gave away his hand — or a minimum of a glimpse of it. And with that grin, the reply felt apparent:
“Could” actually means “will.”
As a result of Anunoby isn’t simply one other defender. He’s the one you break the glass for. The one you signal to a franchise-record contract. The one you name when the opposing star is getting too comfy.
Anunoby meets pressure with pressure — measurement with measurement, tempo with precision — and in some way nonetheless retains sufficient fuel within the tank assistance on the glass, swap throughout positions, defend the paint, and provides one thing on the offensive finish.
The Knicks didn’t have that luxurious the final time they performed Detroit. Anunoby sat, and Cunningham cooked. Now, Thibodeau’s bought his ace — and he is aware of precisely the place to play it.
Anunoby is candidate for First Staff All-Protection, and he thinks himself as a Defensive Participant of the 12 months candidate, too.
He is aware of what’s coming. He’ll be the tip of the spear, however he received’t be alone.
“I think it’ll be a whole-team effort,” he mentioned. “He’s a great player. Just collectively, try to make it as difficult as possible on him.”
Anticipate the Knicks to throw loads of totally different appears to be like at Cunningham. They’ve realized the laborious means that nice gamers finally remedy any single scheme. Thibodeau is aware of the margin for error is skinny.
“Thibs is a great coach,” mentioned Karl-Anthony Cities. “We know he puts the time into the craft. We trust him, he’s going to do everything in his power to put us out there with the best knowledge to move forward and have a way to win.”
ACE IN THE HOLE
There’s additionally one key distinction this time: Mitchell Robinson is again.
Cunningham hasn’t seen the Knicks with their defensive anchor within the lineup all season. Since Robinson returned from ankle surgical procedure in late February, New York’s protection has reemerged as a top-10 unit — one which closes off driving lanes, clogs the paint, and clears the glass with authority.
“Cade’s a great player. You’ve seen him throughout the year, the numbers he’s been putting up and stuff like that,” mentioned Robinson. “Us having experience that we done played in a couple playoff games and stuff like that. We’re just going to continue to do what we do and keep on working hard.”
Nevertheless it goes each methods.
Robinson hasn’t seen the new-look Pistons, both — not with their reshaped rotation and a surging younger star who’s leveled up because the groups final met at full energy.
“It can go both ways,” Robinson acknowledged. “At that point, just play, impose your will. I have to continue to work hard and prepare myself for this series.”
And now, the stage is ready.
Detroit has their franchise participant, surging into the postseason with poise and objective. New York lastly has its full rotation accessible for the primary time all yr, with Anunoby, Robinson, and Brunson all wholesome and able to go.
Cunningham torched the Knicks all through the common season. However the playoffs are totally different — and for the primary time, he’s about to face a New York protection working at full capability.
We’ll quickly discover out whether or not that adjustments the story — or simply the stakes.
