Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey sets rookie franchise record

Fans of the Detroit Pistons have had little to cheer about this season, but rookie Jaden Ivey has been one of the bright spots.

He’s learning to use his electric speed, has improved his efficiency and his defense (which is still a huge work in progress) is showing signs of improvement. He has the talent, but also the work ethic and competitiveness that could lead to stardom at some point.

He’s been slowly climbing the rookie ladder this season and has himself in a position to make 1st-team All-Rookie even though the Detroit Pistons have only won 16 games.

Ivey has arguably been the Pistons’ most consistent player of late, and he leads the team in overall minutes this season while steadily improving, which is exactly what you want from your top-5 rookie in his first year on a rebuilding team.

That consistency has landed Jaden Ivey in the Pistons’ franchise record books.

Detroit Pistons: Jaden Ivey’s scoring consistency

Jaden Ivey is averaging 15.8 points, 5.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Detroit Pistons. His all-around numbers are impressive, as he is one of only three rookies that has at least 1000 points, 200 rebounds and 200 assists, with the other two being Paolo Banchero and Jalen Williams.

When Ivey notched 18 points last night against the Rockets, he also set a Pistons’ rookie record:

During that 34-game streak, Ivey has posted 16.6 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range on five attempts per game.

The three-point shooting is especially exciting, as he looks a lot more comfortable taking step backs and pulling up off screens, which makes him very difficult to guard.

Ivey still has to work on various parts of his game, particularly the defensive end, but the improvement he’s shown should get fans excited, especially considering he’s been thrust into the difficult role of being the lead guard on a confusing team with a constantly rotating lineup that is now trying to cram in two bigs that can’t shoot.

Overall, this has been a season I’d rather forget, and hope to wipe it from my memory when the Detroit Pistons are finally good again, but Ivey has been fun to watch, and his potential is exciting.