Ku Khahil here, the host of the daily Locked On Pistons podcast, with your daily Locked On Pistons newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pistons and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Jalen Duren’s Role and Future with the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) runs up court after a score against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at Little Caesars Arena.
|Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
In the world of basketball, the development and utilization of young talent can often dictate a team’s trajectory. Jalen Duren, a promising young player for the Detroit Pistons, has become a focal point of discussion among fans and analysts alike. As the Pistons navigate their season, Duren’s role and potential have sparked numerous conversations about his future with the team.
Jalen Duren’s Current Role
Duren’s journey with the Pistons has been intriguing. In his rookie year, he had a limited role, but his second year saw a significant increase in responsibilities, particularly within the half-court offense. He was given more freedom to create plays and take shots, which showcased his potential as a playmaker. However, this season, Duren’s usage rate has dropped to a career-low of 13.8%, even lower than his rookie year. Despite this, he has been incredibly efficient, shooting 75% from the field with a true shooting percentage of 71.9%.
The Pistons have primarily utilized Duren as a rim runner and finisher, focusing on his strengths in pick-and-roll situations and offensive rebounds. While this role has highlighted his efficiency, it has also limited the exploration of his full potential. The debate arises from whether the Pistons should continue to develop Duren’s offensive skills or focus on his current role, which aligns with the traditional low-usage big-man model seen in players like Nicolas Claxton.
Defensive Challenges and Future Considerations
A significant aspect of Duren’s development is his defensive capabilities. For a player in his role, being an impactful defender is crucial. While Duren has shown improvement as an interior defender, his struggles against stretch fives have been a point of concern. This has led to discussions about whether the Pistons should seek an upgrade at the center position or continue to invest in Duren’s growth.
At just 21 years old, Duren’s potential is undeniable. The Pistons face a critical decision: should they continue to nurture his development, or consider moving him for a more immediate defensive presence? This decision is further complicated by upcoming financial commitments to both Duren and Jaden Ivey, raising questions about the team’s long-term strategy.
As the Pistons perform better than expected this season, the discourse around Duren’s future may seem premature. However, it’s a conversation that reflects the broader challenges of balancing immediate performance with long-term potential. The Pistons must weigh the benefits of Duren’s current role against the possibility of unlocking his full capabilities.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Jalen Duren’s role and future with the Detroit Pistons, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
- Tobias Harris’s impact and performance concerns
- The Pistons’ defensive strategies against stretch fives
The streak had to end sometime. Even the 2015-2016 Warriors only (“only”) got to 24 wins to start their season. Ironically, they’d go on to lose the title to the Cavs that season.
That Cleveland lost to the Celtics, in TD Garden, without Isaac Okoro and with Darius Garland shooting 3-21 — well only the first half of that stings. If Garland made two more of those field goals the Cavs would’ve taken the game, and Okoro, out with an ankle sprain, will be back.
This game was a tester for the Cavs. Beyond a match against the defending champs and a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview, it was an opportunity to see how the team responded to pressure, unfavourable conditions and expectation. NBA basketball is about winning, we all know this refrain well, but that the Cavs scoring dried up in crucial stretches while the team also fell into bad habits of turning the ball over in momentum-leeching moments, and they still managed multiple runs to come back within two, speaks pretty well to this group’s ability to respond.
What makes the Celtics so good, and a bit like a dream-crushing machine, is their ability to capitalize on and invert what usually brings their opponents wins. In the Cavs case, it’s their speed. Not just pure speed without aim, but their ability to push the pace within their offensive possessions because not one player tends to move in isolation from anyone else. Their lightning quick passing, their flashing cuts and counter-cuts, it’s all predicated on ball movement capitalizing on intuitive communication. A sixth sense of understanding where their teammates are on the floor at any given moment.
Boston was able to jam that up. Not entirely upend it, but chase with pace of their own enough that Garland at times appeared to be the pursued and not the pursuer. Where Garland rushed an offensive possession, where he went in for a fastbreak ISO drive to wrest the pace of the game back into his team’s hands, he bungled it. He’d botch an easy layup and go careening past the baseline, having to expend more energy to get back down the floor in the transition already underway. And the more he botched it, the faster he went. The Celtics saw this and upped the pressure on him, taking advantage of forced turnovers by draining three after three and all but eliminating a huge component of what’s made the Cavs so formidable — their rebounding.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Several NBA teams, including the Lakers and Pistons, are exceeding expectations this season. An in-depth look at how these teams are surprising fans and analysts alike can be found in this analysis of their performance. (SB Nation)
Analysis Malik Beasley is driving the Detroit Pistons’ promising start this season. His exceptional performance is a key factor in their early success. Discover how Beasley is powering the team. (Detroit Free Press)
Analysis How the Cavaliers’ offseason plan has turned them into the top team in the league so far this year. (ESPN)
Milestone Russell Westbrook becomes the first player in NBA history to record 200 triple-doubles. (CBS Sports)
Must Read The NBA’s three-point revolution has gotten extreme, begging the question: How many is too many?(The Washington Post)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Can Dalton Knecht Keep Up This Run?
Nov 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) react after scoring a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images|Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Dalton Knecht has recently become a focal point in NBA fantasy discussions, thanks to his electrifying performances on the court. In a standout game, Knecht scored 37 points, including nine three-pointers, with an impressive 75% shooting accuracy. This remarkable display has fantasy managers buzzing, as Knecht’s shooting streak positions him as a valuable asset in leagues.
Knecht’s Shooting Streak: A Fantasy Goldmine
Over the past four games, Knecht has been on a tear, shooting 22 of 33 from beyond the arc, equating to a 67% success rate. Such efficiency is rare and highlights his potential as a sharpshooter. For fantasy managers, Knecht is a must-add player, especially given his current role in the Lakers’ starting lineup. However, while his shooting spree is impressive, it’s important to manage expectations, as maintaining such a high percentage is challenging over the long term.
Injury Updates and Their Impact on Fantasy Rosters
Knecht’s rise comes at a time when injuries are shaking up NBA rosters. Norman Powell’s hamstring injury, for instance, has left a gap in the Clippers’ lineup. With Powell likely sidelined for at least a week, players like Kris Dunn and Amir Coffey might see increased roles, offering potential value for fantasy managers seeking replacements.
Click the button below to get updates on Zach Edey’s ankle injury, and how Bradley Beal’s calf continues to cause problems for fantasy managers
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
Detroit Pistons’ Loss To Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: What Went Wrong This Time? The Detroit Pistons faced a tough overtime defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks, despite leading for much of the game. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s stellar 59-point performance, aided by Isaiah Stewart’s ejection, proved too much for the Pistons. Cade Cunningham’s clutch scoring in the fourth quarter and overtime kept the Pistons in contention, yet some fans remain critical. The episode explores Malik Beasley’s impressive shooting, Ron Holland’s development, and the Pistons’ competitive edge compared to last season.
Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham Propel the Detroit Pistons Over The Washington Wizards The Detroit Pistons stunned the Washington Wizards with a decisive 124-104 victory, showcasing their potential in the NBA. Jaden Ivey’s impressive 28 points and 8 assists, alongside Cade Cunningham’s triple-double, highlight the Pistons’ dynamic play.
Detroit Pistons’ Defensive Struggles: Can They Guard Stretch Bigs? Can the Detroit Pistons Overcome Their Defensive Woes? The Detroit Pistons face a critical challenge as they struggle to defend against stretch bigs like Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls. This game highlighted their vulnerability to five-out offenses, raising questions about their defensive strategy.
