Detroit Pistons impressed with Luke Kennard so far
The Detroit Pistons drafted Luke Kennard to provide some much needed shooting to the team. They also hoped he could be able to contribute right away. So far, Kennard looks like he will satisfy both for the Pistons.
The Detroit Pistons have been reluctant to give their young players much burn in the Stan Van Gundy era. Luke Kennard might be the exception, if he continues to impress the way he has so far.
SVG on Kennard's defense: "He's shown me more here... in terms of his ability to move his feet and that... He definitely has the ability."
— Jake Chapman (@JakeChapmanOM) June 29, 2017
SVG on Kennard: "He'll definitely be in the battle for minutes at SG. I wouldn't have said that on Friday."
— Jake Chapman (@JakeChapmanOM) June 29, 2017
Normally, we could brush these comments off, but you have to keep in mind the source is Stan Van Gundy–a guy who is notorious for telling it like it is.
This is no hyperbole, if Kennard has been able to make this sort of impact on Van Gundy early, he is truly ahead of where the Pistons thought he would be.
Then again, there is too much that can happen between now and the start of the season, to say whether Kennard will crack the rotation or not, with Summer League, training camp, and preseason still to go.
Next: Expectations for Stanley Johnson next season
Still, this news is encouraging.