When any team has as much success as the Pistons did last season, it leaves a simple question to be asked. Will they continue to ascend in a strong Eastern Conference? Or will they sink back down to the basement? Most expect the Pistons to continue on this path. Not bad for a team that finished last in the Central Division two seasons ago. The best part about it is that the Pistons have thrived with an unlikely frontcourt duo, not a major free agent signing or blockbuster trade. While last season saw them move one of the centers to the bench, it proved to be a smart basketball decision.
Pistons Frontcourt Duo: From Highly Touted Preps To Highly Touted Pros
Jalen Duren was once the number one overall recruit in America as a high school junior. While rankings fluctuate throughout a prospect’s high school years, he never dropped out of the top 10 at any point. He was a star in the making as he embarrassed classmates and opponents alike with his height and agility on the court. After committing to former NBA legend Penny Hardaway at Memphis, Duren put up solid numbers for a first-year big man at 12 points and 8 boards a game. He was selected to the All-AAC First Team in his lone season. He also led the Tigers back to the Big Dance for the first time since 2014.
One Hungry Huskie
Isaiah Stewart was also a top two recruit in high school just a few years prior. He surprised some by picking UW over the blue-blood programs most phenoms opt for. Nonetheless, he came out firing on all cylinders. Knowing he would only be in Seattle for a year probably lessened the pressure of moving across the country to play college ball. He was All-Everything in High School. Parade All-American, ESPN, McDonald’s, Gatorade Player of the Year, you get the idea.
In Stewart’s lone season at Washington he averaged 17 points, a hair under 9 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. Those were pretty good numbers for a college big man who shared the court with Jaden McDaniels , another dynamic 5 star . Like Duren, he opted for the NBA Draft following his freshman season. Until Duren came to town, Stewart started at center his first few years.
Long Term Dynamic Duo
Both of these players have their strengths and weaknesses. They can both score and rebound the basketball. Now a lost art in the NBA, Stewart is as physical of a big man as you will find in the league. Duren can hold his own as well and even started becoming more physical as the season went on .
While they complement each other on the floor together, the Pistons and coach J.B. Bickerstaff also realized they had a stronger second unit by bringing Stewart off of the bench. He has carved out his role on this team despite playing less minutes, though his defense and toughness have stuck around. While I’m sure Stewart wasn’t thrilled to move to the bench for a younger player, as a consummate professional, he understood it would help the team. While they may no longer be a frontcourt duo in the starting five, they still provide when called upon. Let’s hope they continue that run in Detroit .
Availability Is The Best Ability
We have all heard it before in professional sports: “Availability is the best ability.” It’s simple and true. You need to be available to your organization and teammates in order for the team to succeed to reach its goals. Nothing is perfect; players will get hurt, and returning from those injuries is the key. Some wonder if longer seasons, short turnarounds, or too many minutes are causing this. Although unlikely, maybe increasing Stewart’s minutes for a stretch and then Duren’s for a stretch might help, but who knows? They were both relatively healthy last year aside from Stewart’s unfortunate knee injury during a crucial run for the Pistons.
At full strength, Stewart and Duren could form a one-two punch that the majority of NBA teams don’t have down low as far as all around talented big men. They bring back memories of the Wallace Bros. of the early 2000’s.
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