money Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham honored to wear Chuck Daly's retired No. 2 jersey
Chuck Daly is a legend, especially in Detroit.
Daly was the beloved head coach of the Detroit Pistons' Bad Boys era, guiding the team to consecutive NBA titles in 1989-90, three straight NBA Finals appearances and a playoff berth in all nine seasons during his tenure from 1983-1992. The Pistons went 467-271 under Daly, nicknamed "Daddy Rich" for his unmatched suit game, for a .633 winning percentage. His 467 wins are 291 more than any other coach in franchise history.
It's no surprise No. 2 — for Daly's two NBA titles — is retired by the Pistons, hanging in the rafters alongside the numbers of Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, Dave Bing and other greats.
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But the Daly family will allow No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham to wear No. 2, which he has worn throughout his career, most recently at Oklahoma State.
"A special thank you to Cydney Daly for her giving the organization her blessing to allow me to wear my traditional number, No. 2," Cunningham said Friday during a news conference introducing the team's four-man draft class. "That means so much to me. I know how much these numbers mean up there."
Cunningham said he wanted to represent the number well and bring back the same excitement Daly elicited as a coach.
Thank you @CadeCunningham_ for your kind words. I wish you a long and successful career with the Pistons. Embrace the city of Detroit and its fans. They hold a very special place in my heart. Keep the legacy strong ❤🏀🏆 https://t.co/iwSc8RFWSU
— Cydney Daly (@CydneyMaria01) July 30, 2021
Cydney Daly, Chuck Daly's daughter, thanked Cunningham for his comments on social media Friday evening.
"I wish you a long and successful career with the Pistons. Embrace the city of Detroit and its fans," Daly said. "They hold a very special place in my heart. Keep the legacy strong."
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Chuck Daly, who also coached the 1992 men's Olympic basketball team, aka the "Dream Team," to gold at the Barcelona Olympics, died in 2009 at 78.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994. He finished his NBA career with a 638-437 record and .593 win percentage, and went 75-51 in the postseason (71-42 with the Pistons) over 14 seasons with Cleveland, Detroit, New Jersey and Orlando.
In June, Daly was inducted to the FIBA Hall of Fame.
The other rookies' jerseys: Isaiah Livers will wear No. 12, Luka Garza No. 55, Balsa Koprivica No. 23.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons' Cade Cunningham to wear Chuck Daly's retired No. 2 jersey
