Cade Cunningham, who had suffered from a left lung pneumothorax, returned to action tonight after missing 11 consecutive games in the Pistons’ 137-111 win over the Bucks at home. He finished the game with 13 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds while shooting 6-11 from the field (54.5 FG%) and 1-2 from beyond the arc (50.0 3P%).
Following the game, Cunningham spoke to the media and addressed the rampant debate on the 65-game rule that came into the spotlight when it was confirmed that the Pistons star could miss out on any postseason honors due to an arguably irrational rule.
However, unlike what most would have expected, instead of opposing the 65-game rule, Cunningham showed support for it.
“I feel a lot of different ways about it. I think what they were trying to do with it is have superstars play and not sit out just to rest, because fans pay a lot of money to come watch us play games, so I have a lot of respect for that.”
“I know a lot of fans come to watch me play, and I make sure I’m available, and I give them a show when they come out. I respect the rule; I think it’s a good rule in that way,” said Cunningham in his initial remarks about the 65-game rule.
“But it’s tough for me right now this year because I did a lot of work to be in consideration for the awards and All-NBA and all of that stuff. So I’m in a tough spot, but it’ll all play out how it’s supposed to play out. I’m just trying to do my best to help my team win.”
“I’m hearing all of this stuff about exceptions and all of that stuff, but I don’t know how all of that stuff works, so I just keep doing my job, day-by-day, whatever comes will come, whatever is meant to be will be,” concluded Cunningham.
While it is clear that Cunningham is focused on rehabbing his way back to full strength since the playoffs are around the corner, his agents should be the ones looking into this potential appeal for his consideration in postseason awards.
Even though this rule is intended to be iron-clad, there is an “extraordinary circumstances challenge” that exists in the collective bargaining agreement that would allow an independent arbitrator to decide the outcome of Cunningham’s decision if he decides to appeal.
Cunningham was injured five minutes into a fixture against the Wizards in March and thus has only 61 official games (20+ minutes played) despite playing in 62. He needs to play in one of the remaining two games for the Pistons to qualify for an appeal for this exception.
But assuming that he will play in both, he needs an arbitrator to allow his inclusion in the postseason awards; if not, he would be rendered ineligible. The Pistons star is currently averaging 24.4 points, 9.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds while going 46.2% from the field and 34.7% from beyond the arc.
Considering that the Pistons have secured the No. 1 seed in the East, as the best player on the best team, Cunningham has a strong case to win MVP if the arbitrator allows his exception.
However, if he misses out on applying in time, or if the exception gets refused for some reason, then a highly talented player will miss out on the spot in the postseason honors that he definitely deserves, bringing a lot more scrutiny to this rule. It will be interesting to see what Cunningham and his agent decide to do from here.
