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.
Home and Away
Feel Good Pistons owner Tom Gores helped spread holiday cheer earlier this week, handing out thousands of toys to kids in the metro area. (ClickOnDetroit)
Biz The Pistons’ schedule just got busier with new games added for the NBA Cup. Read more about these crucial schedule updates. (Detroit Free Press)
Must Read It was more than 1,000 days between games for Lonzo Ball. A look inside his grueling recovery and unprecedented return to the league. (ESPN)
Analysis Handing out early hardware for the 24-25 NBA season, including the rarely-seen “Unluckiest Team of the Quarter” award. (Basketball Poetry)
Christmas lights are springing up, you can’t go anywhere without hearing Mariah Carey, and football players are making snow angels in the end zone. That means, somehow, the first quarter of the 2024-25 NBA season has come and gone. Let’s hand out some hardware!
Note: these aren’t forward-looking projections for the year-end choices. These are merit-based awards for the first 20-ish games that every team has played so far.
Eastern Conference MVP: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
There isn’t a single superstar in the game as well-rounded as Tatum. His headline ability, scoring, is understated and mathematically elegant. He’s averaging 28.4 points per game by taking advantage of the most valuable areas on the floor: he’s finishing at career-best levels (74% shooting at the rim, the same number as Giannis and a smidge above Anthony Davis), launching a monstrous 10.6 three-pointers per game, and earning the second-most free throws of his NBA life.
But all the high-wattage guys can score. It’s everything else that sets Tatum apart. He’s become an elite positional passer, as we saw in last year’s NBA Finals; he eats defensive rebounds with startling voracity; he’s a mean-as-hell pick-setter:
While star forwards around the league complain about having to guard centers, Tatum is quietly defending bigs more often than ever before (20% of the time, to be exact).
His one surface-level deficiency, offensive rebounding, has more to do with schematic choices than personal flaws.
With apologies to Giannis Antetokounmpo, doing his best to bring the Bucks back to relevance, Tatum is a no-brainer choice.
Western Conference MVP: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jokic is currently third in scoring, second in rebounding, second in assists, eighth in steals (!), and second in three-point percentage. You already know who’s on top of every advanced metric leaderboard. The Nuggets post a 129.1 offensive rating with Jokic on the floor, miles ahead of the Knicks’ league-leading 123.7; they post a 96.4 offensive rating without him, a Mariana Trench-length beneath the Wizards’ anemic 103.8.
Frankly, I’ve been writing about the NBA for a while, and despite my pharaonic vocabulary (and access to online thesauri), I’ve run out of ways to describe why and how Jokic is the MVP. When we’re talking about the league’s most videogenic player, just listing stats feels wrong, but it’s also the best way to convey his overwhelming dominance.
Not even Tatum can reach the oxygen-deprived heights that Jokic routinely (and literally!) resides in. The Nugget is the MVP of the conference and the quarter, without question.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Ticket Booth
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Pistons @ Knicks
Saturday, Dec. 07 | 7:30 PM | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) | Get Tickets
TBD @ Pistons (NBA Cup: Contigent game)
Saturday, Dec. 30 | 12:00 AM | Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, MI) | Get Tickets
Jazz @ Pistons
Thursday, Dec. 19 | 7:00 PM | Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, MI) | Get Tickets
Replay: Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
How the Detroit Pistons’ Offense Falters Without Cade Cunningham Can the Detroit Pistons thrive without Cade Cunningham? As the NBA In-Season Tournament heats up, the Pistons face challenges that could define their season. With Cunningham sidelined, the team’s performance has been under scrutiny, raising questions about their offensive and defensive capabilities. Host Ku Khahil examines the Pistons’ recent games, highlighting the roles of Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson, and discusses the team’s evolving strategy in the face of adversity. The episode also explores the Pistons’ standing in the tournament, emphasizing the importance of upcoming matchups against the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks.
Detroit Pistons Season Right On Track After A Quarter Of The Season Finished Can the Detroit Pistons maintain their momentum in the NBA’s in-season tournament? With a 9-13 record, the Pistons are showing signs of improvement, boasting a top 13 defense. Key players like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Malik Beasley are making waves, with Beasley hailed as the best acquisition in years. The episode breaks down the Pistons’ recent games against the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers, highlighting standout performances and strategic decisions.
Part 1: Bryce Simon Joins To Discuss First Quarter Of The Detroit Pistons Season Can the Detroit Pistons’ surprising defensive prowess propel them to new heights in the NBA? With a defensive rating that defies expectations, the Pistons, led by standout players Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, are making waves in the league. This episode features Bryce Simon, who provides an insider’s perspective on the team’s evolving dynamics.
