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Detroit Pistons: 3 Pistons who need to show more in the 2nd half

By Aaron Kellerstrass

Feb 11, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Justin Holiday (left) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Sekou Doumbouya (45) and guard Josh Jackson (20). Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Justin Holiday (left) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons forward Sekou Doumbouya (45) and guard Josh Jackson (20). Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Pistons, Josh Jackson
Dec 23, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Josh Jackson (20) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell (0) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

The Detroit Pistons had a great first half as long as you had the right expectations coming into the season.

They are headed for a top pick, but losing competitive games while their rookies and young players get plenty of reps, which is about all you can ask for in the first year of a rebuild.

The Detroit Pistons finally have some talent to build around on the wing with Jerami Grant and Saddiq Bey and are getting better than expected contributions from Isaiah Stewart and Saben Lee as well.

Related Story. Midseason grades for players, coaches and GM. light

The young core is starting to round into shape, but there are a few guys whose place in it is far from certain at this point.

Here are three guys who need to show the Detroit Pistons more in the second half of this season if they want to cement themselves as part of the long-term plans of the franchise.

Detroit Pistons: Josh Jackson is not there yet

Josh Jackson has been a pleasant surprise by just about any measure. The Detroit Pistons took a flyer on the former #4 pick in the draft and it has paid off, as he has evolved into the most important player off their bench.

Josh Jackson has exceeded the low bar that was set for him at the beginning of the season but now it is time to raise the bar.

Jackson has been a great defense/energy guy and has the size to be a plus defender in the NBA, which is what the Pistons are trying to build around.

But Jackson has been abysmal shooting the ball, hitting just 29 percent of his 3-point shots. He has also been a turnover machine, averaging 2.3 turnovers to just 1.9 assists, which is, ummm, “not good.”

Jackson has been a nice story on a team going nowhere but has yet to prove he can do it for a team that has aspirations other than a top draft pick.

He needs to show he can make plays, take better care of the ball and improve his shot selection. He is still signed for next season so will get plenty of chances but it would be nice if he cleaned up some aspects of his game so that the Pistons know if he is trade bait heading into the offseason or a guy they want to re-sign long term.

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