Why Brandon Roy’s Name Resonates

A Style Built on Feel, Not Flash

Comparisons can either slow a player down or light a fire under them. Cade Cunningham? He’s all about that second one. He studies Roy’s moves—the way he uses his feet, how he waits for the right moment, how he glides into open space. Then Cade takes what he sees and makes it his own.

Someday, people won’t bother stacking him up against Brandon Roy. Not because they’ve forgotten Roy, but because Cade’s carved out his own place, he becomes the measuring stick. For now, being compared to Roy isn’t a weight on his shoulders. It’s just a nod, and Cade’s running with it.

“There are similarities,” Roy said, pointing to Cunningham’s ability to read defenders and operate in tight spaces.

Respect From Players Who’ve Been There

The comparison isn’t limited to former players on television panels. Current teammates and respected voices around the league echo the same sentiment.

Vince Carter sees long-term greatness.

“I like Cade,” Carter said. “I think he has a chance to be very good, and he’s gonna be a perennial All-Star, in my opinion.”

Isaiah Stewart, who sees Cunningham daily, emphasized the balance between similarity and individuality.

“Cade’s game is Cade’s game,” Stewart said. “Smooth operator. You can find some similarities, obviously — B Roy is B Roy — but Cade has his own game.”

That distinction matters. Roy was often a scorer first. Cunningham leans more naturally into playmaking, comfortable initiating offense and making reads that don’t always result in personal stats.

Different Eras, Shared Toughness

Ryan Hollins offered one of the most layered perspectives, acknowledging both overlap and separation.

“They’re different players,” Hollins said. “Brandon Roy was a playmaker who could score. Cade is a natural point guard. But both are uniquely unstoppable.”

Hollins also underscored something fans sometimes forget: how dominant Roy truly was before injuries intervened. Being mentioned in the same breath is not casual praise.

Carrying the Comparison Forward

Cunningham doesn’t see the comparison as a burden. He takes it in, sees what he can learn. He watches Roy’s footwork, notices his patience, and pays attention to how he moves through space. Then he takes those lessons and makes them his own, folding them into his own style.

Someday, people won’t line up Cunningham next to Brandon Roy anymore. Not because they’re suddenly so different, but because Cunningham’s own track record will be loud enough that nobody needs to make the comparison. Right now, though, the comparison isn’t holding him back. It’s a nod of respect—and a reminder that being smart, tough, and in control never really goes out of fashion.