Luke Kennard aggressiveness biggest takeaway from recent Pistons stretch

Detroit Pistons have won three of their last five games, but the biggest takeaway is Luke Kennard‘s newfound aggressiveness.

The Detroit Pistons have won three of their last five, and though they’re coming off a devastating loss to the Sacramento Kings off a questionable Buddy Hield game winner, the team has no doubt been playing better.

The biggest takeaway from the teams recent stretch is the emergence of Luke Kennard.

Kennard’s biggest flaw over the past year and a half has been his hesitancy. Kennard is a 40 percent three point shooter and is a moving missile launcher.

However, without knowing whether he’ll be subbed out or not for taking a bad shot, Kennard often only takes “wide open” shots.

After Kennard had to be held back on the sidelines during the Pistons January 10th loss to the Kings, head coach Dwane Casey said Kennard was “upset”.

Apparently the Detroit Pistons need to piss Kennard off before every game because this is the Kennard they need if they’re going to win moving forward.

Over the last three games, Kennard has taken an average of 13 shots a game off the bench. Whether he’s shooting 50 percent in one game or 30 percent, the Pistons want Kennard to shoot the ball. They need him to be aggressive every time he touches the floor.

Along with getting 13 shots a game, Kennard is averaging 18.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, shooting 54 percent from the floor and 53 percent from beyond the arc.

The teams offensive rating with Kennard on the floor during these games is 124 and the defensive rating is 108, being a +13.6 with Kennard on the floor.

This is precisely what the Pistons need from Kennard moving forward. The point here isn’t that Kennard is playing exceptional, which is very much is.

It’s an extremely small sample size and three games of someone playing exceptional isn’t enough to believe it’s sustainable.

But, Kennard’s aggressiveness is absolutely sustainable.

Expecting Kennard to get up at least 10 shots a game is absolutely sustainable.

This is all in Kennard’s control. Sometimes the shots aren’t going to fall, you’re just not going to make anything.

Whether he’s hitting all his shots or not, it should never stop Kennard from being aggressive and getting shots up.

Casey also said Kennard, ” is probably our second best, third best playmaker, when talking about making plays for others”. The Pistons lack playmaking outside of Blake Griffin, and are begging for a wing player to bust out and help the team.

This was none more evident than by their most recent game against the Kings.

Griffin ended the game with 38 points on 12-23 shooting from the field. The Detroit Pistons only had one other player score in double figures.

Luke Kennard.

The Pistons scored 101 points against the Kings, Griffin and Kennard combined for 57 of those 101 points.

With Reggie Jackson not being the same player he once was, Stanley Johnson not making the leap on offense, Bruce Brown not being much of an offensive player, the Pistons desperately need someone else to bring some kind of offensive game to help Griffin.

Kennard has exhibited crafty offensive play, outstanding marksmanship, and the ability to run the pick and roll to a tee.

Moving forward, there should never be a game Kennard doesn’t get at least 10 shots attempts in a game. In these past three games, Kennard has a usage rate of 25.4 percent with only four turnovers.

Kennard should continue to have high usage rate off the bench, even with Ish Smith in the lineup. With the ball in his hands, it encourages Kennard to be aggressive and get a bucket; which is the mindset the Pistons need him to be in to be successful.

Casey wanted Kennard to be more aggressive. He benched Kennard, and took some heat from Pistons nation when it happened.

Kennard has responded exactly how his head coach wanted. Some would’ve sulked, but Kennard responded by playing the best basketball of his career.

Now, Casey needs to continue to put the ball in Kennard’s hands and increase his minutes.

Not only because Kennard has earned it…

But, the Detroit Pistons need it.