Detroit Pistons: Will Saben Lee beat out Killian Hayes this season?
Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes and Saben Lee on defense
Coach Dwane Casey has called Saben Lee a “disruptive” defender, which is usually the adjective you use for small, annoying guards who pester the other team.
But I don’t think there is any doubt that Hayes is the superior defender at this point in their respective careers.
Both are very good on the ball, but Hayes has the size to guard up and the strength to keep bigger guys out of the lane, while Lee is probably limited to defending point guards.
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Hayes and Cunningham have the chance to be a special backcourt defensively when you consider their size and ability to guard all over.
Lee is a guy who is going to be active on the ball and try to use his quickness and athleticism to jump into passing lanes for steals, but Hayes has the defensive potential to lock up the other team’s best guard, which we saw in flashes in the Summer League vs. Jalen Green.
Here we see Hayes fighting over a screen, recovering, getting back in front of Green in time to block his shot:
Great defense by Killian Hayes on Jalen Green. Looks like he gets his fingertips on the shot too pic.twitter.com/HVadsfqbId
— Rip Haminkton (@RedAlternates) August 11, 2021
Here we see Hayes using his foot speed and strength to stay in front of Green, getting his hands on the ball and generally making things difficult. Green was forced to kick it out for a tough 3-point shot.
This is some defense from Killian Hayes vs. Jalen Green. Good activity and pressure. Think we know what Green can do vs. space, how he handles pressure/activity/reads is interesting to me. Turbo button doesn't always work, have to set these plays up. pic.twitter.com/8sgDBIwMRJ
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) August 11, 2021
Killian Hayes has a chance to be elite on the defensive end, and while Saben Lee has made strides, he is not on the same level.
Advantage: Hayes