Loves and hates for each Detroit Pistons player
Loves and hates for each Detroit Pistons player
Alec Burks
Love: That Burks rebounded and defended even though his shot wasn’t falling. He grabbed a couple of rebounds in traffic that helped close out possessions.
Hate: That Burks took some bad shots, including an isolation runner late in the game that was a waste of a possession. He was trying to draw a foul and didn’t, which left him in the air with nowhere to go. This was right when Cade was cooking as well, so just a bad shot by the veteran.
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Marvin Bagley III
Love: That he can come in the game and get buckets. His offense settled the Pistons down in the 3rd quarter and helped get them back in the game. I actually thought Detroit should have gone to him a few more times, as Miami did not have an answer. We know MBIII’s flaws, but when he has a mind to get a bucket, he’s hard to stop. He’s also been noticeably more active on defense, which should bury James Wiseman on the bench permanently.
Hate: Not much really, as MBIII did his job as the backup center last night. Like I said, I would have liked a few more touches for him.
Jaden Ivey
Love: Yikes. That was probably the worst game Ivey has had as a professional, so there wasn’t much to love. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that we have some uncomfortable questions we need to ask about Jaden Ivey. But I am going to chalk that one up to adjusting to a new role off the bench and off the ball after spending most of last season running the show with impunity.
Hate: Ivey just looks really uncomfortable out there. He was pressing last night, couldn’t do anything offensively and just had bad body language overall. He had some defensive lapses, didn’t move without the ball and almost had as many fouls and turnovers (3 each) as points (4). I’d like to see Ivey move more without the ball, as he has a hard time blowing by people from a standstill, though he did do it once last night for a layup and foul, but the Pistons need to find ways to get him the ball while he’s already moving towards the hoop or at least isn’t facing the defender.