Pistons center Jalen Duren helped Detroit to their third straight victory
Turning 22 years old earlier this season, Pistons center Jalen Duren would be the centerpiece on most teams, but Detroit has the luxury of JD existing as a secondary scoring option alongside Cade Cunningham.
It would take a truly elite scorer to unseat Cunningham in that capacity, but Duren is turning into one of the game’s most consistent double-double machines with an expanded offensive repertoire to boot. Averaging 18.3 points and 11 rebounds per game this season, Duren has showcased a steady jumper and smooth handles around the lane en route to what looks like an All-Star season for the fourth-year big man.
Last night against the Kings, Duren turned in a performance in the third quarter that can only be described as dominant. Through a series of lay ups, floaters and dunks, Duren put up 12 points in the third quarter and carried the Pistons to a 40-point outburst after halftime. Duren ended the game with 23 points and 13 rebounds in a performance that should feel familiar to Detroit fans.
That’s because it was similar to JD’s output in the Pistons’ road win against the Portland Trail Blazers the night before. In that outing, Duren logged 26 points and 10 rebounds in a contest that the Pistons jumped out to a big lead in before letting the home team back into the game late. But once again, Duren was part of why Detroit was able to stand tall in the pressure-filled moments of single-digit wins on the road.
After Duren’s big game against Sacramento, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff shared his thoughts about Duren’s display on Tuesday night.
“Just his dominance,” Bickerstaff said. “His ability to rebound the basketball obviously, but the different ways he’s scoring the basketball. He’s creative, it’s not just lobs, it’s face ups, drives, post ups, so all those things show his development and still being able to rebound on the defensive end of course and impact shots.”
All season long, Duren has proven to be one of the most efficient operators of the pick and roll in conjunction with Cunningham, and that combo is, once again, lethal in lob situations around the rim. And with Duren’s clear strides in the shooting department, the Memphis product is showing that he’s taken a step into the conversation of elite big men across the NBA– and he’s deserving of an All-Star appearance for his performance thus far.
Duren is a walking double-double, and he’s even improved as an on-ball defender in the post this season as well. Now, Duren’s defense is not on Isaiah Stewart’s level quite yet, but he is no longer a liability in the post and can hold his own against the top centers in the East.
Each night, Duren is showing that his growth is more of a reality nowadays as opposed to an aberration or a flash in the pan. Duren is here to stay, and there should be a spot at All-Star weekend with his name on it.
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