Saddiq Bey puts head down and goes to work for the Pistons

It was just last week that Saddiq Bey was mired in a depressing shooting slump for the Detroit Pistons, but he did not let it get him down.

Instead, Bey went to work, staying late after practice to get up extra shots and looking for ways to get hoops any way he could:

Saddiq put on his headband, and for the last three games, we’ve seen the guy who we thought we’d see coming into the season.

Bey has been more aggressive, taken better shots and has worked his way out of this slump the hard way, by drawing contact and getting to the line.

Saddiq Bey has blown up the last three games for the Detroit Pistons

Over his last three games, Saddiq Bey has averaged 25.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Pistons, playing with more aggression, less hesitation and not shying away from contact.

Someone must have reminded Bey that he is a pretty strong dude, as he’s been bullying his way to the rim and not settling for the pump fakes and hesitation moves he was using earlier in the season.

Instead, he’s been taking it up strong and daring the other team to stop him, which has led to 19 free throw attempts in the last three games.

Prior to that Bey had 18 attempts in his previous 13 games, so obviously he is taking a different approach and being more aggressive.

Part of this may be because Bey is playing power forward in the absence of Jerami Grant, which I believe is his best position defensively and one that can better take advantage of some of the things he does well.

Whether it is the change in position or a change in attitude, Saddiq Bey has been a different player since he strapped on the headband and has shown that the only way to get out of a slump is to work your way out.

Those free throw attempts have given him more confidence from behind the arc and Bey has hit 9-of-21 from long range in his last three games for 42.8 percent.

His averages are starting to climb and Bey is looking more like the guy we thought we’d see in year two.