Detroit Pistons: 3 takeaways from win over Cavs, all Rookie edition

The Detroit Pistons needed some magic from the two Jacksons but it was their three rookies who set the tone in the win over the Cavaliers.

This game was essentially Tankapalooza 2021, as both teams are near the bottom of the NBA and hoping for a top draft pick.

The Pistons sat seven players with various (dubious) injuries in their quest for Cade Cunningham but the young players stepped up as they have all season.

It was the Jackson Two, Frank and Josh who sealed the game for the Pistons late but it was the trio of Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes and Isaiah Stewart who got things going in the first half.

Bey knocked down six 3-pointers in the first half while Hayes chipped in seven assists and Stewart grabbed eight rebounds. This trio is the future foundation of the Pistons’ franchise and the future is looking bright right now.

Let’s get into an All-Rookie edition of takeaways after an impressive win over the Cavaliers.

Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes looks like a different player

Killian Hayes’ season couldn’t have started much worse. After playing poorly in his first six games, he was injured in the seventh, which gave plenty of time for impatient (and not so bright) fans to call him a bust.

He has looked like a different player since returning from injury, especially his passing and defense, which have looked elite at times.

But he has also looked a lot more comfortable and aggressive taking the ball to the rim and finishing as he does here:

If Hayes can get more consistent shooting the ball, his ceiling is the sky, as he can already defend and pass as well as just about anyone from his draft class.

This play shows why Pistons fans are right to be excited about Hayes, as he showcases his vision, handles and pinpoint passing on this lob to Beef Stew:

Hayes finished with 12 points and nine assists and was a big reason the Pistons were able to put on a display of dunking in the first half.

He’s still a work in progress but I think we’ll be hearing the word “bust” a lot less often.

Detroit Pistons: Saddiq Bey had the hot hand

Few players will ever get as hot as Saddiq Bey in the first quarter, as he went into full-blown video game mode.

Bey hit six 3-pointers in the first quarter and at one point made four-in-a-row to help the Pistons to a 12-0 run.

Bey ended the night with 20 points, five rebounds and two steals but the most impressive thing to me is the way he is doing it.

If you were to watch Bey for the first time there is no way you’d guess he was a rookie, as he carries himself like a guy who has been in the league for 10 years.

He is already a plus defender who always seems to make the right defensive read and he gets his buckets out of the flow of the offense without forcing anything.

Bey has already put himself at the top of a list of elite rookie shooters, but his all-around game is even more impressive.

The Pistons got one of the steals of the draft when they traded to get Saddiq Bey.

And when you look at the play of his teammate lately, it’s clear he’s not the only one.

Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Stewart putting up huge numbers

No one has been filling the stat sheet more than Isaiah Stewart lately, as the rookie has put together three outstanding games in a row.

After putting up 15 points, 21 rebounds and two blocks against the Thunder, Stewart dropped 19/12/2 on the Wizards before last night’s 18/16/3 against the Cavaliers in which he also had three steals.

Are we sure this guy is a rookie?

Stewart has been on a tear on both ends, showcasing a polished post game, a non-stop motor and even occasional range on his jump shot.

Troy Weaver clearly has a vision to build around elite defense and Stewart can provide it all over the floor, as he can defend 1-5 without missing a beat, making him the perfect defensive center for the modern game.

People have often compared him to Ben Wallace, mostly because of his defense, and while he may never get to the level of Big Ben on that end, Stewart has a much higher ceiling at the other, playing more like Bam Adebayo or Horace Grant than Ben Wallace.

This run from the Pistons’ rookies has been thrilling to watch even if it has come against some of the bottom feeders of the NBA.

Detroit has something special brewing and if they can add another top-five pick to this team, this team is going to be good very soon.