Former NBA MIP skeptical of Cade Cunningham's eligibility for major season award

Former NBA Most Improved Player (MIP) Jalen Rose shared his thoughts on Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham's MIP case this season.

Following the league's announcement of the 2024-25 MIP finalists on Sunday, Rose argued that the Pistons guard belongs in a different category.

"As somebody that's won the Most Improved Player, Cade Cunningham does not fall into this category," Rose said. "He falls into the category of taking the leap like SGA did, like Anthony Edwards did. That's what category he falls into."

Rose made his comments during Sunday’s "Playoff Central Live" on NBA TV.

Rose added that while Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels has been “terrific,” his choice for the award is LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac.

The Pistons selected Cunningham with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA draft. In 70 games this season for the sixth-seeded Pistons, the first-time All-Star averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists and 6.1 rebounds on 46.9% shooting (35.6% on 3-pointers).

Rose, the 13th pick of the 1994 NBA draft, won the MIP award in 1999-2000 as a member of the Indiana Pacers, led by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Reggie Miller.

In Rose’s first season as a starter, he took a major leap, leading the team in scoring (18.2 ppg). That year, the Pacers, coached by NBA legend Larry Bird, reached the NBA Finals that season but lost to the LA Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.

Cade Cunningham comments on the Pistons' Game 1 meltdown

Cade Cunningham's Detroit Pistons lost Game 1 of their series against the New York Knicks on Saturday. The Pistons had a 91-83 lead entering the fourth quarter. However, the Knicks outscored them 40-21 in the final frame, including a huge 21-0 run.

After Saturday's loss, Cunningham acknowledged his team must improve. Pistons beat writer Coty Davis shared the 23-year-old’s comments on X.

"Just us playing our game, battling on the boards, the pace, get stops," Cunningham said. "Just gotta clean up the little things, not turning the ball over, make sure we get good shots on the rim each trip and we’ve gotta cut out their second chance points."

Cade Cunningham is trying to lead Detroit to its first playoff win since May 16, 2008. Game 2 of the series will be played Monday in New York. The series will then shift to Detroit for Games 3 and 4 on Thursday and Sunday.