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Detroit Pistons Face Tough Question At Starting Center
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) grabs the rebound during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center.
| Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons have fallen to 7-11 after having a chance to get back to .500 against the Chicago Bulls on November 18th. As the season has gone on, while the Pistons are certainly better than they were last year, their weaknesses are starting to get exploited by opposing teams. One of those weaknesses is the defensive capabilities of their starting center: Jalen Duren.
Jalen Duren’s Defensive Struggles
Duren is a third-year player and just turned 21 years old. The young big man is a talented offensive player, with flashing ball-handling skills and the ability to make quick reads as a passer with the ball in his hands. He’s also improved his footwork around the rim and is a great finisher. However, many are starting to disregard his offensive talents due to his struggles on the other end of the floor.
Not only is Duren, not a versatile defensive big man. he’s a big who struggles at most requirements defensively. While he’s been a more active defender around the rim, he’s not improved enough to where the impact is felt. He is averaging 1.1 blocks per game, a career-high; but, again, it is a very minor improvement.
His struggles guarding bigs with ball skills get exploited to a wild degree. When the Pistons go against any big with the ability to stretch the floor, it immediately causes issues for Duren and the team’s defense. Along with these concerns, Duren often finds himself either having a mental lapse or not knowing where he’s supposed to be on a given defensive possession.
You would feel more inclined to ride this out with a young man on such a young team if there wasn’t another young big on the roster where the difference is vastly noticed.
Isaiah Stewart’s Play
How well Isaiah Stewart has played is making this a tough situation for head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the Pistons. The team has performed much better with Stewart on the floor, especially on the defense end of the floor.
The Pistons’ defense is 7.5 points better with Stewart on the floor, and they play at a league-best 106.5 defensive pace when he’s on the floor. Compare that to Duren, where the team is 5.8 worse with him on the floor. Stewart is not only a more versatile defender, he’s simply a more aware and capable defender. For a team trying to hang its hat on the defensive end, it’s hard to ignore it. However, what is more damning to Duren is the offensive numbers.
Duren is supposed to be making his impact felt on the offensive end of the floor, however, the team is also playing better with Stewart on that end! The team has a 109.9 offensive rating with Stewart and is 1.7 points better with him on the floor, whereas with Duren the team has a 108.2 offensive rating and is 2.3 points worse with him on the floor.
The Dilemma
The question the Pistons must answer for themselves is whether they care more about winning games and chasing a play-in spot for this young team, or if they prioritize developing their players over wins in the fifth year of a rebuild.
If their goal is to win, there is a very clear area of needed improvement that’d make the team instantly better and gain more wins. If the goal is to develop over wins, Detroit will continue to sacrifice the on-court immediate product with the hope it’ll pay off in the long run.
It was the three second violation heard round the world. Kidding, but it was strange enough that you looked to confirmation of what you were seeing to those around you, and/or rewatched the replay of it several times.
Posted up under the Raptors basket, Rudy Gobert had Scottie Barnes on his back in a mismatch and was calling to Julius Randle for the ball. Beyond the arc. Randle dribbled the ball, unhurried, as the shot clock ticked down. He’s eyeing the lane, would clearly prefer to drive, and even plants a foot to take off from when the whistle finally comes for Gobert, strolling out of the key nonchalantly, with all the urgency you’d approach a dental appointment.
Still frustrated, Gobert then needlessly hip-checked Barnes at the other end, sending him to the line and sending the Raptors up in the match and in momentum. Toronto won 110-105.
You can take your pick for what’s more worrisome, because the perspective shifts depending on the root of a few problems the Wolves face.
That Gobert opted to showboat his frustration is definitely the most obvious, in terms of visibility. It isn’t the first time he’s let his petulant side out on the floor. That Randle saw Gobert — impossible not to with his long arm up and waving — and chose to ignore him, dribbling the ball into oblivion instead, is another concern. The biggest question around the Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns trade was fit — for playing style and chemistry. A slight detail that nearly gets lost in the sequence is that Jaden McDaniels hustled for a really long rebound, swung it to Randle, and the urgency of that move was immediately sapped by what transpired.
Taken individually, these would be wrinkles for a working team to smooth by the next match. And yes, both Randle and Gobert addressed the sequence, with Randle prompting media to “name a perfect family” and Gobert saying “people think great teams are the teams where the sky is always blue”. Normally, I’d enjoy an athlete beginning with a euphemism, in this case, it feels like aversion.
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
Injury Cade Cunningham’s status remains uncertain as the Pistons prepare to face the Raptors. Get the latest updates on his injury and its impact on the team. Read more here. (Detroit Free Press)
Preview The Toronto Raptors will face the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Legacy Nikola Jokic continues to redefine basketball creativity with his full-court swat attempt against the Lakers, nearly achieving an incredible buzzer-beater despite the constraints of the Trent Tucker rule. (CBS Sports)
Biz NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill discusses his investment in women’s sports and managing Team USA, highlighting his active retirement and commitment to sports development. (The Ringer NBA Show)
Rumor Western Conference coaches and executives are reportedly frustrated with the East’s playoff picture, suggesting a shift to a 1-16 seeding format to enhance fairness and competition. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) takes videos with his phone after the game against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances and crucial player updates that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With six games on the slate this past Sunday, there was no shortage of action and intrigue.
Player Updates and Injury News
One of the most significant updates this week involves Ja Morant, who has been upgraded to questionable. The Memphis Grizzlies have a consistent pattern of moving players from doubtful to questionable before they return to play, so Morant’s return seems imminent. Marcus Smart is also off the injury report, ready to make his comeback. However, the Grizzlies are still without Vince Williams Jr., who is sidelined for weeks, and Zach Edey.
In New Orleans, the return of key players is on the horizon. While Herb Jones remains out, Jordan Hawkins is back, and CJ McCollum is expected to play soon. Dejounte Murray has been upgraded to doubtful, indicating he might return later this week. These returns will undoubtedly shake up the rotations and fantasy implications for players like BJ Boston and ElfridPayton.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been idle since Wednesday, and Alex Caruso, who aggravated a hip injury, is out again. This extended absence is concerning for fantasy managers holding Caruso. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng’s fractured finger will keep him out for three to four weeks, opening up reserve minutes for Dillon Jones until Jaylin Williams returns.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
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.
Jalen Duren’s Role in Detroit Pistons’ Future: Trade or Keep? Is Jalen Duren the Future of the Detroit Pistons? The Detroit Pistons are making waves with their unexpected 7-9 start, but questions loom about Jalen Duren’s role and efficiency. Could a trade be on the horizon for the young star? Meanwhile, Tobias Harris faces scrutiny for his offensive struggles, despite his leadership and cultural impact on the team.
Detroit Pistons Suffer Deserved Loss To LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller And The Charlotte Hornets Can the Detroit Pistons overcome their recent struggles? After a tough loss to the Charlotte Hornets, questions loom over the Pistons’ performance and future prospects. With Cade Cunningham’s efficiency under scrutiny and Tobias Harris stepping up with a stellar game, the dynamics within the team are shifting. The episode breaks down the Pistons’ defensive challenges and the potential impact of Cunningham’s injury, highlighting the need for strategic roster adjustments.
