Detroit Pistons: 3 takeaways from youthful loss to the Mavericks

The Detroit Pistons racked up another exciting and competitive loss behind strong play from their young players against the Dallas Mavericks.

It was an epic night for the tank, as both the Rockets and Timberwolves inexplicably won their games and the Pistons dropped to the second-worst record in the NBA.

The Rockets are likely to end up with the worst record, which comes with the bonus of a guaranteed top-five pick, but otherwise the Pistons are just fine staying in the bottom three, as all three teams will have the same odds at a top-four pick and the number one overall.

The Pistons exciting young talent was on full display, as they sat nearly all of their veterans and went with a starting lineup that featured three rookies and 20-year-old Sekou Doumbouya.

All of them had strong games, but there were also some youthful mistakes that reminded fans that these kids are still learning how to play the game.

Here are three takeaways from another hard-fought loss.

Detroit Pistons: The follies of youth

The three rookies and Doumbouya accounted for 54 points, 15 assists, four steals and three blocks, which is not bad for a bunch of guys who need a fake I.D. to buy a beer.

The Pistons shot 51 percent as a team, got another 20-point night from Frank Jackson, who is starting to look like a poor man’s Jason Terry and 22-year-old Hamidou Diallo racked up a double-double.

It was a great night for the youth movement.

But they also showed their age.

The Detroit Pistons turned the ball over 18 times, missed 11 free throws and made a couple of bonehead fouls down the stretch on Tim Hardaway Jr. who torched the Pistons in the 4th quarter and ended with 42 points.

The Pistons fouled Hardaway twice on 3-point shots and he sunk all six free throws, which was essentially what cost them the game in the 4th quarter.

William Blake said, “The fool who persists in his folly will become wise.” The Detroit Pistons aren’t wise yet, but they are learning and even though they made some young mistakes, the writing is on the wall.

This team is going to “do something big” and soon.

Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Stewart is the best rookie center

Isaiah Stewart is solidifying his case for the first-team All-Rookie and in my opinion, is not only the best rookie center but the best rookie defender overall.

He added another double-double last night, notching 20 points , 10 rebounds and three blocks. He also knocked down a couple of 3-point shots, showing his improved range.

Stewart is starting to look like THE steal from the 2020 Draft, as he is now averaging a double-double over his last ten to go along with 1.7 blocked shots per game.

Coming into the season most viewed Stewart as a defense/hustle guy whose ceiling was a role player who would rebound and run the floor.

Now he looks like a foundational piece of the Pistons’ rebuild, a guy who can defend all five positions, switch on the perimeter and knock down jumpers.

I compared him to Bam Adebayo early in the season and there are some similarities, though Adebayo is a better playmaker off the bounce and Beef Stew is stronger in the paint.

One thing is clear: The Detroit Pistons got a real one in Isaiah Stewart, who could end up being the perfect modern center.

Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes’ passing while gassed

Killian Hayes had another strong game passing the ball, racking up 11 assists which was a career high.

The Pistons were putting on a dunking display early in the game, largely because of Hayes’ ability to see the court and make pinpoint passes. Look at the patience he shows here as he sets up Beef Stew for the dunk:

Hayes changes speed just slightly, drawing in the defense, which gives Stewart the opening he needs before Killian puts it right in his hands at the rim.

He didn’t shoot the ball well, and I’d still like to see him shoot more in those situations, but he did have one beautiful take to the rim. When he starts knocking those down regularly, he is going to be a handful, as the kid is already a great passer.

Hayes played 30 minutes and was showing some signs of fatigue, which is not unusual for a young player, especially one coming off injury. Dwane Casey noticed and had this to say after the game:

"“One thing he’s got to continue to do is understand that you’ve got to be in great NBA condition, and the stamina level for a 19-year-old is not the same as an older player in the league, who knows the speed of the game and the endurance you have to have.”"

I think we know one thing Hayes will be working on in the offseason.

It was a game that showed the best and worst of young players and the Detroit Pistons have to be excited about the level of play they’ve seen from their rookies.