Jalen Duren worked with Detroit Pistons’ great Rasheed Wallace this offseason, a relationship that goes back to their time together at Memphis. Wallace is the perfect mentor for Duren, as he excelled in areas where Duren needs to improve, namely being more versatile and switchable on the perimeter.
Wallace was the ideal power forward defensively, as he was comfortable moving around as needed. He could defend the other team’s center on one play but was also versatile enough to move to the perimeter, stay in front of smaller players or use his length to affect shots off the ball.
These aren’t necessarily things that can be taught, but I’m certain there are valuable lessons Duren can learn about positioning, hedging screens and using his length to disrupt shots even if he doesn’t block them.
Sheed was a great defender and can hopefully impart some of that knowledge, but he had one advantage Duren doesn’t have, and that’s another elite big man behind him.
Jalen Duren doesn’t have Ben Wallace
It’s far easier to operate on the perimeter when you have one of the best rim protectors of all time behind you, which is what Rasheed Wallace had in hall-of-famer Ben Wallace, who was always there to clean up any mistakes.
Duren is expected to play that role of defensive anchor on this version of the Pistons, but he’s no Ben Wallace, so is going to need some help.
The Goin’ to Work Pistons were great defensively because they not only had great individual defenders, but all bought into the team concept, which is what the Pistons are going to have to do this season.
Ausar Thompson should help make Duren’s life easier by keeping dribble penetration out of the lane and allowing him to stay home with his own guy. Thompson also fights over screens, so doesn’t always require a switch on the perimeter, allowing Duren to drop into coverage and stay with the roller.
But with Isaiah Stewart committed to the backup center position, Duren doesn’t have another great defensive big man to lean on. Tobias Harris held his own, but he’s not a shot blocker and can get bodied in the post at times if Duren has to switch off the center.
There has been a lot of talk about trading for Lauri Markkanen, but he’s a worse defender than Harris and would leave Duren even more vulnerable to attack from the wing.
This is something to consider when looking for that power forward of the future, at least until Duren proves that he can be the anchor the defense needs. With Isaiah Stewart playing just 20 minutes per game, the Pistons need more defensively from Duren or to find him a complement at power forward who can share the duties.