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.
Pistons’ Western Road Trip Success: Analyzing the 3-1 Performance
Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) drives in against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center.
| Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons have just wrapped up a challenging Western road trip, and I’m thrilled to report they’ve exceeded expectations. Before the trip, I set a goal for the team to go 3-1, which seemed ambitious given the caliber of opponents. Remarkably, the Pistons achieved this target, securing victories against formidable teams like the Kings, Lakers, and Suns before falling to the Nuggets in the final game.
This successful run has positioned the Pistons at 14-18, a record that surpasses many preseason predictions. They’re now tied with the Bulls for the ninth seed and just one game behind the seventh seed. This encouraging position speaks volumes about the team’s growth and resilience.
Key factors in the Pistons’ road trip success
One of the standout performers during this stretch was Jaden Ivey. After returning from a knee injury, Ivey has been on fire, shooting an impressive 57% from the field and 55% from three-point range over the last four games. His performance, particularly his game-winning shot against the Kings, has been crucial to the team’s success.
Another pleasant surprise has been the emergence of Paul Reed as a defensive anchor. Despite being the third-string center, Reed’s impact on both ends of the floor has been undeniable. His ability to rack up assists, steals, and blocks while committing zero turnovers has been a game-changer for the Pistons.
Challenges ahead: The Tobias Harris conundrum
While there’s much to celebrate, we can’t ignore the elephant in the room - Tobias Harris’s underwhelming performance. As Detroit’s marquee free-agent signing, Harris was expected to provide veteran leadership and consistent scoring. While he’s excelled in the locker room, his on-court production has been disappointing.
Harris is experiencing one of his worst statistical seasons since his rookie year. His percentiles in key offensive categories have plummeted compared to last season. This decline is particularly concerning given the Pistons’ reliance on Harris as their primary power forward.
Despite these struggles, the Pistons find themselves in a tricky situation. With limited options at the four, they can’t simply bench Harris. The hope is that he’ll find his rhythm and return to the form that made him such an attractive free-agent target.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pistons’ recent performances, tune into the Locked On Pistons podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pistons Podcast:
• The need for increased playing time for Ron Holland and Ausar Thompson
• Analysis of the Pistons’ starting lineup struggles
• Breakdown of the Denver Nuggets game and fourth-quarter comeback
Dec 21, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a question during a post game interview after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. | Ed Szczepanski/Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown was fired on his way to meet his team at the airport, Anthony Edwards was fined again — this time a cool $100k — for profanity, Amen Thompson picked Tyler Herro up and skipped him like a stone over the hardwood floor, the Suns and Mavs got into it too, and D’Angelo Russell was traded to the Nets (again) in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. It was a busy weekend in the NBA.
But let’s not focus on the chaos. Let’s instead look to a milestone within the milieu of the NBA’s theatrics, one that’s sat looming, casting a long shadow over the league for years now and especially over LeBron James, who turns 40 today.
James is a rare athlete in many ways. He’s been dominant in every decade of his career — and it’s rare enough to pluralize “decade” when discussing the length of an athlete’s career — and at one point was the greatest athlete on the planet. He’s won NBA titles, Olympic gold medals, has played a huge role in furthering athlete autonomy and reshaping the public’s perception of what an athlete can do and be off the court (or field, rink, etc.) in terms of political and social awareness and advocacy. He’s the first ever athlete to play alongside his son at a professional level and he’s advanced, even introduced, the concept of recovery and physical and mental longevity for an athlete.
He’s also still capable of forcefully taking your breath away with a rousing block, dunk, and the ability to toss his team on his back and take control of the game — he’s still averaging 23.5 points, 9 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game.
James’ rarest attribute though is something of a double-edged sword: his longevity. The quality of longevity, pure staying power, James has maintained throughout his career is the kind of consistency we just don’t see in sports yet he’s made it feel routine, totally normal.
The gift of this for basketball fans has been having James as both a metronome and a backdrop for over 20 seasons. Other players have taken what he’s done and made their own improvisations, but he’s the rhythm that drives the game like he’s the mountain set at the horizon, offering a perennial sense of direction. What happens when these two constant factors aren’t there anymore?
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
Replay A poor start to the second half ultimately led to the Detroit Pistons’ defeat against the Denver Nuggets. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t overcome the deficit. Poor start proved too much to overcome. (Detroit Bad Boys)
Feel Good The Detroit Pistons are entering 2025 with positive vibes and a sense of optimism. They’re in a good spot and looking forward to a promising new year. Positive vibes as they enter 2025. (Detroit Free Press)
Legacy J.B. Bickerstaff criticizes the Sacramento Kings for their “shitty and classless” firing of Mike Brown. The video sparks discussions on coaching decisions in the NBA. Coaching decisions. (Bleacher Report)
Celebrate 40 great moments for LeBron James on his 40th birthday. (NBA.com)
Milestone By the numbers: a statistical look at NBA milestones as LeBron James turns 40. (TSN)
Biz A look inside Mike Brown’s final days with the Sacramento Kings. (The Athletic)
Ticket Booth
Presented by
Magic @ Pistons
Wednesday, Jan. 1 | 7:00PM | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI | Get Tickets
Hornets @ Pistons
Friday, Jan. 3 | 7:00PM | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI | Get Tickets
Timberwolves @ Pistons
Saturday, Jan. 4 | 7:00PM | Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Implications Of The Lakers & Nets Trade
Dec 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The NBA trade market is heating up, and the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have made the first significant move of the season. In a surprising turn of events, D’Angelo Russell is heading back to Brooklyn, while Dorian Finney-Smith makes his way to Los Angeles.
The trade details are as follows:
Brooklyn receives:
D’Angelo Russell
Maxwell Lewis (2023 second-round pick)
Three second-round picks
Los Angeles receives:
Dorian Finney-Smith
Shake Milton
This move has significant implications for both teams and fantasy basketball managers alike. For Brooklyn, Russell’s return could shake up their backcourt rotation. With Cam Thomas also returning from injury, the Nets suddenly have an abundance of scoring guards. While this might lead to some exciting offensive performances, it could also create a defensive nightmare for Brooklyn.
Noah Clowney’s value may see an uptick with Finney-Smith’s departure. The rookie has shown flashes of potential in recent games, and this trade could open up more consistent minutes for him. However, it’s important to temper expectations, as the Nets’ rotation remains fluid.
Ben Simmons’ role is now in question. With Russell taking over primary ball-handling duties, Simmons might see a reduction in minutes and usage. Fantasy managers should monitor this situation closely, as Simmons could become a potential drop candidate if his playing time dips significantly.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pistons podcasts.
Detroit Pistons Give Up 48 Points In First Quarter, Suffer Terrible Loss To the 6-20 Utah Jazz Can the Detroit Pistons bounce back after a tough loss to the Utah Jazz? The Pistons ' defense faced a major setback with a staggering 48 points allowed in the first quarter. This episode unpacks the game’s critical moments, spotlighting the performances of Cade Cunningham and Malik Beasley while dissecting the impact of Jalen Duren’s struggles on the team’s dynamics.
Cade Cunningham Outduels Kevin Durant, Detroit Pistons Star Has Arrived And Will Be An All-Star Cade Cunningham is making waves in the NBA, and the Detroit Pistons are at a pivotal moment. Can Cunningham’s stellar performance against the Phoenix Suns propel the Pistons into playoff contention?
Explore Cunningham’s breakout game, where he matched Kevin Durant’s prowess, scoring crucial points in the fourth quarter. The discussion highlights his season-long improvement, with impressive stats that position him among the league’s top playmakers.
The Detroit Pistons’ Bench Players Secured Victory Against Lakers, Completing Season Sweep Cade Cunningham shines as the Detroit Pistons sweep the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a pivotal moment in the NBA season. With Cunningham clinching the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, the Pistons’ recent victory is a testament to their evolving strategy and bench strength.
