Cade Cunningham “Honored” to Hear Brandon Roy Comparisons
Young NBA players are watched closely as they grow. Everything they do is examined, and people often compare their skills to those of earlier stars. For Cade Cunningham, who leads the Detroit Pistons to the best record in the Eastern Conference thus far this season, people often compare him to Brandon Roy.
This comparison shows how much Cunningham matters to his team. He manages the game smoothly, scores steadily, and helps the team win, even if the usual stats do not show everything he does.
Why Brandon Roy’s Name Keeps Coming Up
Roy didn’t play in the NBA for long, but he left a big mark. At his best, he was one of the league’s most versatile guards, able to score with both hands, beat defenders one-on-one, and stay calm in tough moments. In a similar way, Cunningham leads his team as the point guard, running the offense and defending multiple positions.
Veteran players like Channing Frye, Kevin Garnett, and Richard Jefferson have all praised Cunningham’s poise, control, and versatility. Roy himself has pointed out how much his game and Cunningham’s have in common.
“There are similarities,” Roy said, noting the way Cade reads defenders and operates within tight spaces.
For Cunningham, that acknowledgment carries weight.
“I mean, Brandon Roy, he was a legend in my eyes. He was special. Do it all, Both hands inside, outside game,” Cunningham told Ratings recently.
“So, I mean to be even compared, I feel honored. I would love to be compared to [him]. I think it’s a cool comparison. So, I definitely have tried to implement things from his game into mine.”
A Game Built on Control, Not Chaos
Cunningham’s style is not defined by explosive athleticism or frequent highlight plays. He relies on balance, timing, and strength. At 6-foot-6, he demonstrates veteran-level patience, often controlling the pace and forcing defenders to respond.
Isaiah Stewart summed it up simply.
“I think Cade’s game is Cade’s game, I would say, you know, obviously the big guard, we never get to the spot. Nobody throwing them off,” said Stewart.
“Yes, but, his game is his game, man. Smooth operator. So yeah, but I mean, definitely you can find some similarities. Obviously, B Roy [Brandon Roy] is, you know what he done in this sport, in this league, it is a great thing, but Cade got his own game.”
That distinction matters. While Roy often functioned as a scorer first, Cunningham leans heavily into playmaking. He’s comfortable initiating offense, reading help defenders, and making the correct play even when it doesn’t lead to personal stats.
Respect From Across the Basketball World
The respect Cunningham commands already stretches beyond Detroit. Vince Carter believes the ceiling is high.
“I do, yeah. I like Cade. I think he has a chance to be very good, and he’s gonna be a perennial all-star, my opinion,” said Carter.
Ryan Hollins, now a Houston Rockets analyst, offered perhaps the most nuanced take — acknowledging the differences while still validating the comparison.
“They’re different players. Like, I feel like Cade is a national point guard. I feel like B Roy could play point guard, but I will put it more in the playmaker ategory. But Brandon Roy, man, it just sucks. He came in injured. I was actually supposed to go to UW and play with him, but he’s one of the toughest players, Pro and college, that I’ve ever played against. We double-teamed him in college. We had a great, historically great defensive team,” said Hollins.
“We couldn’t do nothing with him. And that same energy went into the pros, just unfortunately, he was injured. So, I don’t think a lot of people appreciate how good he is, and Cade just unique. Man, he’s big, he can play. He’s tough as nails. They built around him the right way. He’s clutch. He’s a unique player. Man, you can throw him in that, in that Luka [Doncic] and [James] Harden category, the type of game that he has. So, I think different players, but in a sense, both, both uniquely unstoppable.”
Hollins also emphasized something many fans forget about how truly dominant Roy was before injuries derailed his career. The fact that Cunningham is mentioned in the same breath speaks volumes.
The Weight of the Comparison
Early in his career, Cunningham faces tough comparisons, but he stays calm and focuses on growing, adapting, and getting better over time.
Rather than copying his peers, Cunningham studies Roy’s skilled footwork, patience, and strong sense of space, then works these classic moves into his own style.
With this mindset, comparing himself to others helps Cunningham grow instead of holding him back.
Eventually, Cunningham will no longer be compared to Roy. This will not be due to fading similarities, but rather to his own achievements distinguishing him.
Detroit is building its team around him, his confidence continues to grow, and the league has already taken notice.
For now, being compared to a player like Roy is a mark of respect. The next step is to transform that recognition into a lasting impact that is uniquely Cade Cunningham.