Cade Cunningham\u2019s collapsed lung was a dramatic and unfortunate twist on the Detroit Pistons\u2019 season, but if he can return, it might be the best thing that ever happened to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Pistons were\u00a0immediately\u00a0written off <\/a>when it was revealed that Cunningham would be out for an extended period, but someone forgot to tell the team, as\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0kept rolling without him.\u00a0<\/p>\n Detroit is 11-4 this season without Cade Cunningham, and one of those losses was the recent heartbreaker to OKC that they should have won even though they were missing four starters and Isaiah Stewart.\u00a0<\/p>\n While these 15 games\u00a0represent\u00a0a\u00a0fairly small\u00a0sample size, the Pistons have shot the ball better without Cade Cunningham in the lineup this season\u00a0from both the field and 3-point range. Detroit is up from 48.1 to 48.9 percent from the field without Cade and up to 36.7 percent from\u00a0long\u00a0range,\u00a0nearly two\u00a0points better than when Cade is playing.\u00a0<\/p>\n Detroit also averages\u00a0nearly three more\u00a0assists per game without Cade in the lineup, which is counterintuitive, as he is near the top of the league in\u00a0assists\u00a0this season.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0a small sample, but the Pistons offense has\u00a0been less heliocentric in these 15 games\u00a0without Cunningham.\u00a0<\/p>\n That\u2019s\u00a0not to say the Pistons are better without their best player, as\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0clearly not true, but his recent absence could end up being a blessing in disguise for Detroit.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cade Cunningham will be fresh for\u00a0the\u00a0playoffs\u00a0<\/p>\n The Pistons\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0going to go far in the playoffs without Cade, so getting him back, healthy and in game shape is crucial.\u00a0<\/p>\n It would obviously be better if he\u00a0were in\u00a0there sharpening his skills with his teammates, but at least Cunningham should have fresh legs for the playoffs, something that affected him last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cunningham\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0buy a 3-point shot in the playoffs last season and did look worn down after carrying a similar offensive burden to the\u00a0one\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0had this season. The collapsed lung is going to cost him a spot on the All-NBA team<\/a>, but this extra rest should have\u00a0him\u00a0raring\u00a0to go when he does return.\u00a0<\/p>\n The other Pistons are\u00a0confident\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Perhaps the\u00a0biggest revelation since Cunningham\u2019s injury has been the emergence of Jalen Duren, who has looked like a star since\u00a0becoming the\u00a0first scoring\u00a0option. His ability to get his own bucket is something the Pistons will desperately need in the playoffs, and\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a great thing\u00a0that\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0getting those reps now.\u00a0<\/p>\n The confidence\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0gaining will be huge for Detroit, who turns to Cunningham too much at times and now\u00a0have\u00a0another\u00a0option.\u00a0<\/p>\n