While young NBA players are often compared to past legends, few compare him to a player who left an indelible mark on the game despite ending his career too soon.
Cade Cunningham, who is the foundation of the Detroit Pistons, is known by the name Brandon Roy. Fans and respected voices in the league, including Roy himself, drive the connection, not just a narrative.
Channing Frye, Kevin Garnett, and Richard Jefferson, among other veterans, have pointed out the resemblance between Cunningham’s poise and Roy’s calm command of the floor. When asked directly, Roy acknowledged the resemblance, revealing it to LandonBuford.com, “There are similarities.”
Cade Cunningham: A Quiet Storm in Detroit
Cunningham’s 2024-25 season has cleared up any doubts about his long-term star potential after dealing with early injuries. Cade’s 6’7″ height, traditional point guard vision, and physical strength to dominate matchups have redefined modern floor general.
Channing Frye captured this transformation on NBA TV:
“I love his game. I think now he’s finally healthy. He reminds me so much of Brandon Roy. A new age Brandon Roy, just a little bit faster, but he never gets pushed out of his own pace.”
Cade Cunningham Is The New Age Brandon Roy, Says Channing Frye:
âHe reminds me so much of Brandon Roy, says @channingfrye.
âA new age Brandon Roy just a little bit faster.â#pistons #DetroitBasketball #NBA pic.twitter.com/wKBgMg69vi
â Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) January 14, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The word pace is a key determining factor in the Cade-Roy comparison. Roy and Cunningham share a common trait of reducing the game’s pace, distracting defenders from mistakes, and manipulating defenses with hesitations and body control. During crucial moments, his decision-making is already polished by a seasoned veteran.
Brandon Roy: The Blueprint of Composure
Brandon Roy’s stint with the Portland Trail Blazers was both short and brilliant. As a three-time All-Star, he was recognized for his smooth mid-range scoring, fearless shot-making, and unshakeable demeanor. Richard Jefferson made a statement on ESPN’s The Jump:
“When I look at Cade Cunningham, I see Brandon Roy. He was athletic but not super athletic⦠but he understood the game at an extremely high level.”
Roy’s legacy was built on his basketball IQ, not his explosiveness, which Cunningham echoes as he guides the Pistons through their rebuild.
Kevin Garnett’s Stamp of Approval
On his KG Certified podcast, Kevin Garnett didn’t mince words:
“He’s like Brandon Roy reincarnated⦠patient, and you can’t speed him up. And when you don’t think he’s strong enoughâman, he’ll lay your ass. Quiet, two-way smooth.”
Garnett places more emphasis on his demeanor than his skill. Roy and Cunningham are both confident and loud, allowing their games to speak louder than their words.
Recruiting Roots and Mutual Respect
Roy and Cunningham’s connection is more than just style. Cunningham visited the University of Washington, where Roy attended, during his high school recruitment. Despite his family ties influencing his decision, the visit revealed Cade’s admiration for Roy’s legacy.
“I took a visit to Washington that I loved,” Cunningham shared.
Numbers Don’t Lie
By their third seasons, both Roy and Cunningham were 20-point scorers with substantial assist numbers.
Roy had an average of nearly six assists at his peak, while Cunningham is moving up as Detroit relies more on his decision-making. Cade’s defensive position may already be superior due to his size and instincts, which he is using to defend multiple positions.
Old School Pace in a New Age
Frye called it ‘herky-jerky’, a style shared by Roy, Luka Doncic, and James Harden. These guards not only outrun their opponents, but they also outthink them. Cunningham’s Roy-like demeanor is a result of his ability to dictate pace, which makes him an impossible opponent to defend.
Conclusion: More Than a Comparison
The Cade-Brandon Roy comparison is a reflection of spirit, not just style. Their composure, intelligence, and leadership are more than just raw athleticism. According to Garnett, Frye, and Jefferson, Cade seems to be the modern version of what Roy was meant to be.
Cunningham isn’t just a reflection of himself, but rather a new chapter. Cade Cunningham is creating a legacy that could one day inspire similar comparisons for future generations thanks to Roy’s blessing and his own evolution.
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