Detroit Pistons: 3 bold player predictions for the home stretch
Detroit Pistons: Jalen Duren sets a rookie record
The biggest bright spot of the season has been rookie Jalen Duren, who is already better than advertised in a lot of areas and looks like he could evolve into one of the best young centers in the game.
He has taken off in the starting lineup, is a better passer than he should be considering he’s the youngest player in the league, and has already shown he can be a dominant force on the boards and around the rim. He already joined LeBron James in the NBA record books this season and now has his eye set on a Pistons’ record.
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He’s also on the verge of the Pistons’ rookie record for double-doubles, which is currently held by former center Greg Monroe, who recorded 21 in his rookie campaign.
Duren currently has 12, so would need an additional nine over the next 23 games to tie and 10 to own the record by himself.
He has averaged a double double as a starter, so this may come down to health, as Duren had to miss the Rising Stars Challenge with an ankle injury, so if that lingers, it will hurt his chances. But if he is healthy to finish the season, he has a good chance of putting himself in the Pistons’ record books.