Detroit Pistons players as Pokemon

Luke Kennard: Pidgeotto

Luke Kennard is one of the NBA’s up-and-coming shooting magicians. Still, in just his third NBA season, he’s not quite able to be maxed out in evolution, which is why he resembles Pidgeotto, the first evolutionary state of Pidgey. Kennard’s 6’5″, 205-pound figure towers over Pidgeotto, who is a mere 3’7″ and 66.1 pounds.

Size difference aside, there’s something about this pairing that just feels right. Both have some work to do before they can level up to their final stage. While he’s averaging a career-high in points at 15.8 per game, and bordering splits of .44/.40/.90 (could he be a .50/.40/.90 contender later on in his career?), there still seems to be another level that he can reach. I’d say that maybe that’s just me being a homer, but I truly think Kennard has another level to reach, much like Pidgeotto.

Side note, Pidgeotto is probably my favorite Pokemon. During my playthrough of Pokemon Let’s Go: Pikachu, I never took Pideotto out of my starting lineup and was actually bummed when he evolved into Pidgeot.

Pidegotto is a flying Pokemon that specializes in aerial attacks. Luke Kennard is a shooting guard that specializes in getting buckets by letting it fly. So, in a sense, both specialize in the art of flying. 6.5 of Kennard’s 12.2 field goal attempts per game come from behind the three-point line.

Though currently sidelined with a knee injury, Kennard is on the cusp of transforming into the next caliber of player he can become. Like Pidgeotto, he’s just waiting to evolve one more time.

Hopefully, you enjoyed this article, it was a fun one to write. Let me know in the comments below if you have any of your own Pokemon comparisons, to Piston players or any NBA player.