Detroit Pistons Rookie Ladder: Is Jalen Duren the best rookie center?

The latest NBA Rookie Ladder is out and it has a familiar feel to it for us fans of the Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey remains cemented in the top five and Jalen Duren is still safely tucked inside the top ten.

In a season during which it is oftentimes difficult to find reason for optimism, the Kia-sponsored weekly rookie rankings have continually given us that. Sure, Paolo Banchero has had a death grip on the top spot, but our Pistons have shown out in the form of a budding dynamic duo that is deserving of every bit the attention of any individual on the list.

Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey’s exciting play cannot be dulled by other star rooks

Orlando’s #1 overall pick has played beautiful basketball throughout the year, and Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin looks the part of a winner, but Ivey has earned his own shine and the league has taken notice. Over the last week his counting stats are up, most notably his assists, which rounded out to 6.7 for the week. He also was the recipient of some meaningful words from head coach Dwane Casey, who paid him a compliment so high that it couldn’t be anything but elevating to the young man.

Heres what Casey said about Ivey’s desire for greatness, “He is dogged on wanting to be successful, as a player and person.”

Ivey still has areas he need to improve, but his ceiling is exciting and he has the work ethic to reach it.

Jalen Duren dips due to passport, still maintains rim-rocking presence in top ten

Jalen Duren’s basketball skills couldn’t be picked over this week as he has been out with injury and was late on the trip to Paris after losing his passport. Unfortunately, his organizational skills are fair game. It’s been said that the best ability is availability, and a professional athlete must always be wary of becoming his own worst enemy. That said, mistakes happen, and the next time Duren rocks the rim with a put back dunk there won’t be any mistaking that he belongs on the NBA Rookie Ladder.

A better question might be how high up the ladder does he belong. Those just ahead of him – like Jabari Smith, Jr. and Keegan Murray – benefit from more established teammates, while Walker Kessler might be the beneficiary of a big game and some hot takes.

Duren and Kessler will be in a battle for the top big-man spot on the All-Rookie team.

Prognosticating rookies can be a fool’s errand but there’s no question that the Detroit Pistons have two of the brightest stars in Kia’s weekly constellations.