Pistons player preview: Ron Holland will be the league’s best rookie defender

Ron Holland is a tenacious on-ball defender and his intensity warrant serious minutes.

The Detroit Pistons need outside shooting. That sentiment has been hammered through NBA media all summer. Detroit addressed the shooting woes through free agency, but the Pistons’ 2024 draft pick sang a different but familiar tune.

The basketball gods rewarded (or maybe righteously punished) the Pistons with the 5th pick for the third consecutive year, following in the footsteps of teammates Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson.

Ivey represented an explosive downhill scorer. Thompson, meanwhile, was a relentless on-ball defender who takes on the toughest assignments every night. Whether that assignment is a primary ball handler or a bruising wing, Thompson is game. According to Bball-Index, Thompson’s defense graded out at an A as a rookie. Detroit is hopeful that 2024 5th overall draft pick Ron Holland can have similar returns while also being a downhill player putting pressure on defenses like Ivey.

Offense

The big question — Can Ron Holland contribute on offense without a jumper?

Like Thompson, Holland took a different route to the NBA. Holland would forgo college and commit to the NBA’s G-League Ignite team. Holland and Thompson are energetic, tenacious defenders who need work on their outside shots. Holland is dynamic in transition and operating when he doesn’t need to manipulate the defense. There are small details Holland can pay attention to so he can contribute on offense without a knockdown jumper.

While playing for the Ignite, Holland was burdened with a workload he’d never previously shouldered. He was asked to be the primary ballhandler and initiate the offense. Holland struggled with these reps as a natural wing, posting 42 assists in 53 turnovers in 15 games. These reps have value, as Holland won’t be asked to play that role with Cade Cunningham and Ivey on board.

Those reps show dividends with Holland operating in dribble hand-off (DHO) actions. DHO is defined as an action when one player in possession of the basketball initially dribbles it toward a second player, and then that same second player receives the ball. Quick decisions need to be made in these actions, and Holland has shown he put in the work to thrive.

Holland navigates the DHO action in both clips with floor-spacing big Isaiah Stewart. The two are building chemistry as Holland makes quick decisions in both actions. He’s flashed some traits that are an avenue to a successful offensive rookie season.

Holland has put encouraging tape together in the preseason— there’s a world where he helps the offense immediately. Holland’s transition scoring is his most valuable offensive weapon currently. His youthful legs glide gracefully up the floor while he euros his way to the rim.

With a tighter handle, Holland can use his energy and speed to maneuver to where he wants more frequently. Improving his handle will also reduce some of those turnovers we see. Holland can get ripped by quicker guards if he’s lackadaisical with the ball and tends to throw hot bullet passes near a teammate.

Because Holland isn’t a premier shooter or ballhandler, he’s shown the willingness to sacrifice his body. Holland sets solid screens and uses space well. He goes to the corner to start offensive possessions but ends up in the dunker spot or on the weak side. Whenever he’s on the court, he tries to set off-ball screens. That mindset is critical for a non-shooter. Holland can screen and roll into open space, while defenses send two at the Pistons, sharpshooting Simone Fontecchio and Malik Beasley, leaving Holland at the rim for an easy bucket.

A handle is one of the easier skills to acquire in the league, and effort is mandatory, but shooting development is hit or miss (and not linear).

The Ignite team began in April 2020. The program was dedicated to giving post-high school players the option of signing for $500,000 and the opportunity to compete against pros—home of notable alums like Holland, Jalen Green, Scoot Henderson, and others.

The context of the program’s history is relevant because there may be some correlation with Holland’s shooting struggles. The once-successful program had its worst (and apparently final) season in 2023-24. Holland suited up for 15 games, but ignite went 2-32 overall. The program was scratched after last season as it became easier for college prospects to earn a living.

It’s hard to play great on bad teams, especially in a role you’re not used to, like the predicament Holland found himself in last year. Holland shot a dreadful 24% from 3 in his singular season with Ignite, but the team shot a shade under 32% from there overall. That putrid number provided no spacing, and Holland was getting tough looks from 3.

His shot isn’t butter soft, to begin with, so the lack of spacing and his on-ball creation role might’ve made the jumper look worse than it really is. Holland has some inconsistency in his release; sometimes, it’s one motion, and he’ll knock it down. On the contrary, his 68% FT percentage screams that he has work to do as a shooter. He has work to do as a defender, too, but that’s his calling card.

Defense

Ron Holland’s perimeter defense will land him minutes on the court

Refer to the clip above when Holland got that silky smooth euro-step off against the Milwaukee Bucks. The finish and flare will get likes on Instagram, but his tenacious defense makes that play possible.

As Mark Jones eloquently states, “Holland is on his butt like back pockets.” What a way to describe Holland’s defensive approach. He’s carried this bulldog mentality with him throughout the preseason.

Holland is usually matched up with wings, but he showed some fight against the quick-footed Cleveland Cavalier’s former All-Star Darius Garland. Garland burned Holland on some possessions, but we saw the rookie sit down in his chair and keep competing.

His biggest defensive strength as a rookie will be how he walls up opponents or his passing lane defense. Holland has a wiry frame weighing 200 pounds. That’s arguably miniature for a 6-foot-8 ball player, but Holland is stronger than he appears. Offensive engines may think they’ve got one over on Holland, but as they attempt to blow by him, he slithers back, and the play and brick walls them from forward progress.

That’s not a foul; it’s just hard-nosed 2004-era Detroit Pistons basketball.

Holland is a menace in the passing lanes. When teams fall asleep and throw lazy passes, expect Holland to burst on the scene like Inspection Gadget and beeline his way to the cup on the other end. This high-risk, high-reward nature of Holland’s game gets him burnt at times.

He has a habit of falling asleep at the wheel himself and ball-watching. Ball-watching will get you killed in this league. As a rookie, Holland is stepping in able to compete with NBA athletes, but paying attention to the minute details will make him an All-World defender. Holland has the body type and athleticism to dominate immediately as a defender. His 6-foot-10 wingspan helps him deflect shots at the rim as he catches up to players with his burst of energy.

Overall

There are many things to be excited about when Ron Holland debuts with the Detroit Pistons. His energy, transition finishing, and defensive versatility will shine immediately. His shooting, passing, and gambling habits on defense are swing skills that need a few screws tightened. Improvement in those areas changes the trajectory of Holland’s career and the Pistons’ core.