Skip to main content
PistonPowered
Fansided

Pistons may not survive JB Bickerstaff's trust

He may have to make some tough calls
ByAaron Kellerstrass|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) knocks the ball away from Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0): Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
May 11, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) knocks the ball away from Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0): Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

JB Bickerstaff has shown trust in his Pistons players all season, allowing them to fight through tough times, which has been a big part of their culture, but that same trust could backfire in the playoffs. 

Coach Bickerstaff has shown faith in players like Daniss Jenkins throughout the season that has been rewarded. JB noted that showing trust in young players is a big part of their development, and he deserves a lot of credit for how his young guys have progressed this season. 

He spoke of trust again after the game last night when asked why he went back to Jalen Duren in the 4th quarter after Paul Reed was so effective. 

Coach Bickerstaff stuck with his guy even though Duren was just flat-out bad last night, and we’ll have to see if that trust pays off. 

I wrote before the series that loyalty could be an enemy for the Pistons in the playoffs, and that is starting to come true. 

JB Bickerstaff can’t hesitate to make changes 

I am not suggesting that the Pistons bench Jalen Duren in favor of Paul Reed, but at some point, we have to accept the reality that is in front of us. 

Reed has been BY FAR the Pistons most effective big man and added 15 points in just 14 minutes last night, doubling up Duren’s output in half the minutes. 

Reed can’t play starter’s minutes and should not play against the starters at all, if possible, as he will get exposed on the defensive end and likely foul out. But Stewart was better last night in limited action, and he didn’t get much of a chance either, while Duren continued to get opportunities to play through his mistakes. 

Ausar Thompson was also bad last night, and JB didn’t hesitate to go with Caris LeVert when Thompson got into early foul trouble again. LeVert played well, so Thompson was limited to just 19 minutes. 

The same didn’t happen to Duren for some reason, perhaps because he’s lost confidence and getting benched would just compound it. 

The Pistons can’t win this series without Duren, but they may not be able to survive it with this version of JD, which puts coach Bickerstaff in a tough spot. 

Duren has to play better for the Pistons to win, and he’ll have a chance to do it in front of the home crowd in Detroit, but if he continues to flounder, coach Bickerstaff may have to throw trust out the window and go with the guy who is playing better at the moment, whoever that is. 

I applaud JB Bickerstaff for sticking with his guys, and we have to hope Duren rewards him with a monster game five. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Home/Pistons News