Detroit Pistons 2019-2020 player grade: Bruce Brown

Heading into year two with the Detroit Pistons, the expectations for Brown weren’t astronomical but he came through in a major way.

Bruce Brown‘s second year with the Detroit Pistons was headlined by memorable defensive performances and improved skills as an offensive weapon.

When it came to defending players like James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Trae Young, Brown was able to have fantastic defensive performances against every single one.

While their final line may not have shown it, when Brown as an individual was defending them he was regularly giving them fits. This comes as no surprise, as through the first two years of his career now he’s always been tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best ball handler.

In one-on-one match ups, here’s how great he was against the following players this season:

• Harden: 2 for 10 shooting
• Irving: 3 for 10 shooting (2 turnovers)
• Bradley Beal: 4 for 10 shooting (1 turnover)
• Malcolm Brogdon 4 for 10 shooting (3 turnovers)
• T.J. Warren 3 for 10 shooting (2 turnovers)
• Zach LaVine 1 for 6 shooting (2 turnovers)

So while some players were still able to get their shots up and hit at a decent rate, Brown was still forcing them to turn the ball over. His tight coverage and his active hands in passing lanes turns him into a frustrating match up for opposing scorers on a nightly basis.

At the end of the day, his defense is his staple. As a former second round pick, the fact that he’s improved as much as he has is astonishing.