Why Cade Cunningham ‘leapfrogged’ Luka Doncic in Kendrick Perkins’ top player rankings

Why Cade Cunningham ‘leapfrogged’ Luka Doncic in Kendrick Perkins’ top player rankings appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking right here.

On the most recent episode of The Road Trippin’ Show, former NBA middle Kendrick Perkins defined why Cade Cunningham have you ever “leapfrogged” Luka Doncic in his top player rankings, inserting the Detroit star forward of the Los Angeles Lakers guard in his present top 5.

commercial

Perkins mentioned his top tier consists of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, with Cunningham now subsequent in line.

“It’s SGA, Giannis, Jokic and guess who’s proper there subsequent after them? It’s Cade Cunningham“Perkins mentioned. “Cade Cunningham has just leapfrogged Luka Doncic as far as top five players in the NBA in my eyes. Jaylen Brown is in that conversation right now as well. Do you know why? Forget the point that he gave them 40 pieces off flats, it’s the eight rebounds, it’s the 13 assists, and Cade Cunningham plays both sides of the basketball. “Jaylen Brown plays both sides of the basketball.”

Cunningham, 24, is putting together a career season for the Detroit Pistons. Through 48 games, he is averaging 25.7 points, a career-high 9.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and a career-high 1.5 steals in 35 minutes per contest. He is shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from 3-point range while leading Detroit to the NBA’s best record at 41-13.

Kendrick Perkins weighs Cade Cunningham vs. Luka Doncic in top-five debate

I’ve bolstered Perkins’ level in Thursday’s 126-111 victory over the New York Knicks following the All-Star break. Cunningham finished with 42 points, 13 assistseight rebounds, two blocks and a steal, shooting 17-for-34 from the field and 5-for-11 from beyond the arc in 38 minutes.

advertisement

Doncic, 26, is also producing at an elite level for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is averaging a career-high 32.8 points, 8.6 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals across 42 games. He is shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from 3-point range in 35.5 minutes per game, helping guide Los Angeles to a 33-21 record and the fifth seed in the Western Conference.

The Lakers return to action Friday night when they host the Los Angeles Clipperswho enter at 27-28, at 7 pm PT on ESPN.

Perkins’ rankings reflect a growing belief that Cunningham’s two-way impact and team success have elevated him into the league’s elite conversation, even amid Doncic’s historic offensive output.

Related: Cade Cunningham’s explosion vs. Knicks have by no means been accomplished in Pistons historical past

commercial

Related: Pistons’ JB Bickerstaff makes Cade Cunningham MVP assertion after monster sport vs. Knicks