Detroit Pistons · 12 notes
It's, you know, his first go at it. So I just expect him to continue to get better.
Jalen Duren played his first game back for the Pistons on Oct. 14. J.B. Bickerstaff said he was aggressive, set the tone and kept his focus on helping the team. "It's, you know, his first go at it. So I just expect him to continue to get better."
I think they work well together. High IQ guys that can help that second unit.
Isaiah Joe and Kevin Huerter are a bench pairing J.B. Bickerstaff likes for Detroit: "I think they work well together. High IQ guys that can help that second unit." Both move off the ball and make plays, fitting his push for quicker decisions and a less stagnant offense.
Tolu Smith "dominates the paint on both ends of the floor," Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, asked how Smith differs from Paul Reed. He pointed to Smith's "NBA skill set," his rebounding and how much he has improved. Smith had 13 rebounds.
The plan is definitely for him to play in the preseason
"The plan is definitely for him to play in the preseason," J.B. Bickerstaff said of Jalen Duren at Pistons practice, adding Detroit will watch how he feels going from summer workouts to games. Duren "appears to be faster, more explosive. His face-up game has improved."
just makes everybody else on the floor better
Chaz Lanier has "an opportunity to earn minutes through preseason," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, though he called that difficult with so many players. Lanier's first week of camp showed good cutting, off-ball movement and shot making, and better defense than last year.
Rookie Ebuka Okorie playing alongside Daniss Jenkins gives the Pistons two ball handlers, and coach J.B. Bickerstaff said that pairing "just makes everybody else on the floor better," depending on how teams guard them.
We believe like if he takes a jump, our team is going to take a jump.
Ausar Thompson should have the ball more as Detroit's "lead dog," J.B. Bickerstaff said Oct. 5. He opened the second half with a Thompson-led unit he said had space, shooting and size. "We believe like if he takes a jump, our team is going to take a jump."
John Collins is playing both power forward and center for Detroit, and Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the staff is still sorting out lineups by position, citing his "ability to stretch the floor." He also praised Collins' toughness in a first-quarter dust-up.
We'll make sure we take our time.
Pistons 1/2 Jalen Duren did his physical and league testing Oct. 2 after re-signing with Detroit. J.B. Bickerstaff said Duren worked out on his own during talks and is "in great shape, he's fit." No timeline for his return: "We'll make sure we take our time."
Pistons 2/2 Bickerstaff on Jalen Duren's return becoming official: "That's our guy. He's been our guy." He denied any bitterness from the negotiation, saying "it's negotiation, it's business," and that the 22-year-old Pistons center "hasn't reached his ceiling."
if he's open, he should shoot it 100 times in a row
Pistons practice: J.B. Bickerstaff said Taurean Prince looks healthy after his neck injury — "he's moving well, he's shooting it well." John Collins won't be asked to force step-back 3s, but "if he's open, he should shoot it 100 times in a row".
Bickerstaff on Isaiah Joe: he has freedom to expand beyond the role he had on previous teams. "We don't put anybody in a box." On Kevin Huerter, no rebuild of his shot: "you don't have to overhaul what he's doing." He also called Huerter a playmaker, not just a shooter.