The Pistons are a horrific basketball team, but overlooked in their malaise is just how good Cade Cunningham has become.
He is averaging 22.4 points and 7.5 assists per game. His numbers are up across the board from his first two injury-plagued seasons.
Yet, where this town was deliriously happy about the Pistons selecting him first overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, the mention of Cunningham merely brings a shrug of the shoulders now.
There is some acknowledgement he is good, but little that someday Cunningham will be great.
That's even though Cunningham is just 22 years old, has come back strongly from injuries and has been surrounded by some of the worst-fitting puzzle pieces in NBA history.
Thursday, Cunningham had 32 points, while hitting several key buckets down the stretch as the Pistons downed the Nets. He was 4-of-8 from three-point range. He also threw down a scintillating fourth-quarter dunk. The talk that Cunningham and Jaden Ivey can't play together seemed ridiculous Thursday. They combined for 66 points.
Ho-hum.
It's similar to what another 1-1 has experienced in this town, Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson.
After a rough season-and-a-half, Torkelson hit 19 home runs in just 308 at bats following the All-Star break. He has yet to turn 24, so by any stretch he is a developing player. Tork finished with 31 home runs and 94 RBI in 2023.
Torkelson was selected in the special five-round draft held at the height of the pandemic. He was anointed a star from Day One. But because it took him a while to adjust to MLB pitching, he was quickly labeled a bust by many fans and media.
Even with the strong second-half, the luster is off Torkelson. It's odd because he is just starting to shine.
Cade and Tork are joined in the 1-1 club by Tigers pitcher Casey Mize. The plus-plus-plus splitter. The polish. Remember what draft guru Keith Law said about Mize? How it was a shame the Tigers couldn't trade the No. 1 overall pick because a contender undoubtedly would want to plug Mize into their rotation for a postseason run.
Of course, it was a garbage view, which was shocking given Law's experience. But it came from a so-called national guy, which is overplayed by local media and fans, especially in the baseball prospect realm. It's a sport in which the draft traditionally isn't covered as much outside its lane.
When Mize dominated the low minor leagues, the hype only accelerated. Mize did pitch well in 2021 for the Tigers, but that seems like a long time ago.
After Tommy John surgery, Mize is fully recovered and throwing harder than ever. He's struggled commanding the ball, which is expected, but that should go away in due time. Mize will turn 27 in May. He should have plenty left to contribute.
The most recent Lions quarterbacks were 1-1 picks, Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff (by the Rams). Both had lousy rookie seasons. Now they are consensus Top 10 at the position.
It will take some patience. But Cunningham, Torkelson and Mize have not been busts. They are works in progress. And each is capable of starring.
It could be sooner rather than later for Cunningham and Torkelson. Perhaps Mize, too.
