How Detroit Pistons’ Luke Kennard Stacks Up with JJ Redick and Kyle Korver

The Duke Connection

Kennard and Redick have more in common than just their Duke connection, however, I’d be remiss not to talk about it at least a little bit. Redick is a Duke legend, setting what was, at the time, the NCAA record for 3-pointers made in a college career with 457 makes in his time there.

Redick was lethal in college, putting up a career average of 20 points per game, and shooting 41 percent behind the long line. His success there (and his attitude) made him the next in a long lineage of hated Duke players, joining the likes of Bobby Hurley, Christian Laettner, and too many more to name. Through all the spite, though, his game was undeniable.

Kennard had a quieter tenure at Duke, and a much shorter one as well. While Redick had played all four years, Kennard only stayed for two, and that’s all he would need. Kennard’s second season at Duke was nothing short of outstanding.

Putting up nearly 20 points per game, Kennard shot a blazing 43 percent from three, and an exceptional 49 percent overall. While he wasn’t nearly as disliked at Redick (he had Grayson Allen to take up that mantle), he showed that he could hang, and score, with the best of them. Both of them have carried tis into their NBA career’s as well, always a threat to light up the scoreboard when they’re on.

The Bench Role

Redick didn’t start a game in the league until his third season, and even then, he didn’t become a consistent starter until his 11th. Kennard has started 10 games or less in each of his first two seasons.

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Early in Redick’s career, his offensive game wasn’t quite developed enough to be any sort of focal point in the starting lineup, but that would all change coming off the bench. With the secondary squad, Redick was able to find his shot and his motion in the offense and be more of a go-to with the bench unit.

At this point in Kennard’s career, he can sometimes get washed out in the offense with the starters. With guys like Drummond and Griffin in the lineup, it can be harder for Kennard to find his shot consistently, but with the bench unit, they can essentially run the offense through him. This could change throughout his career, but as for now, Kennard works best as the focal point of the offense coming off the bench, just like Redick did for all those years.

How Luke Can be Better

We all know what a prolific shooter Redick is. We’ve all seen his countless pull-up three’s and spot-up bombs. Redick has always been a threat to score, but Kennard can be even scarier. Kennard can shoot the lights out as well, but throughout his short career Pistons fans have already seen him make plays with the basketball in his hands.

From smooth drives to flashy passes, Kennard has all the makings of being a playmaker for both himself and his teammates, which is something that Redick has never been able to get done in his career.

Though Kennard’s assist numbers aren’t where they should be yet, the way that he already is moving the ball around and seeing the court should leave Pistons fans excited for his future, and his teammates excited to be playing next to him.