3 takeaways from the Detroit Pistons 96-82 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 3: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 3, 2020 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 3: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons dunks the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 3, 2020 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Sekou Doumbouya #45 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Sekou Doumbouya #45 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The struggles of Sekou

It felt like Sekou Doumbouya was able to regain some of his confidence in Detroit’s previous outing against Denver, scoring 17 points in his return to the starting lineup.

Unfortunately, some of that confidence may have left him after tonight’s performance. Doumbouya scored just 6 points on 13.3 percent shooting (2 of 15).

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During the first half he had multiple shots rejected at the rim, and after a Pistons timeout Casey was the first person to give him a few pointers on how to protect the ball when attacking the basket. Doumbouya was visibly and understandably frustrated in the first half.

He’s a project that Detroit is more than willing to take their time on, and being the youngest player in the NBA is certainly going to show itself at times. He was having trouble finding his jump shot all night.

What was encouraging was that he never lost his focus, and frankly (though this may be contradicting to a previous point) he never lost the confidence that he could make a shot. He was just as aggressive in the fourth quarter as he was in the first.

He was rebounding the ball well and was defending well, both are traits that haven’t really wavered in his last month of playing. He’s gotten more opportunities to score in these last two games than he did in the two weeks leading up.

dark. Next. It's time for Detroit to start the youth movement

He’s going to continue to get better, it’s just going to take some time.