As Detroit announcer Greg Kelser was fond of saying last season, “the Pistons are better when they run," and it's something they can do even more of next year with Daniss Jenkins coming off the bench.
He definitely wasn't wrong, as fast break points were a big part of the Pistons’ attack last season, and they finished 6th in fast break points per game, using their defense to generate early offense.
Even if the Pistons didn’t get the run out, they were better when they attacked quickly and early before the defense had set.
The Pistons’ half-court offense wasn’t nearly as good, as they went from a running team to one that played at a very deliberate pace led by Cade Cunningham.
Pace is a word that gets used a lot in regard to Cunningham, as he is never in a hurry and instead uses his strength to get where he wants to go on the floor.
Next season, backup point guard Daniss Jenkins needs to offer an alternative to that by pushing the pace and using one of Detroit’s biggest weapons to wear down opponents.
Push the pace and use your depth
Jenkins should have a more defined role in the rotation next season as Cade Cunningham’s primary backup and when he’s in the game and Cade isn’t, he needs to push the pace.
Again, that doesn’t always mean run outs, but also attacking early in the shot clock, not over dribbling and keeping the ball moving.
Jenkins had a bad habit of overdribbling in the half court last season, something he has to get away from by attacking early and giving it up if the dribble penetration isn’t there.
Jenkins will often be playing with guys like Isaiah Joe, Ron Holland and Paul Reed, so should be able to push for early offense in fast breaks but also in the half court.
The Pistons have a deep roster and if JB Bickerstaff wants to run 10-12 guys in the regular season, he can, so Jenkins needs to lean into that by making the second unit one that plays fast and tries to run other teams off the floor.
The Pistons were far too deliberate and predictable last season, especially in the playoffs, so Jenkins needs to offer that change of pace and supercharge the bench by playing fast and attacking early.
The Pistons’ bench was very good at creating chaos and pushing the pace last season, but it was problematic anytime they had to set up, so this is where Jenkins can make the biggest impact by controlling the game with pace.
Add us as a preferred source on Google