The Detroit Pistons have lost three straight and are entering another tough part of the schedule without their best player, so we are in dangerous territory.
The early optimism is starting to wane in a fanbase clinging to the hope that this year was finally going to be the year the Pistons competed for something other than the worst record in the NBA.
Even with the positive vibes around the improved start, there are big questions, specifically around the center position, where Jalen Duren has not made the leap many were hoping for this season, especially on the defensive end.
He’s been a non-factor in the last two games and his body language has not been promising, as he does look like a guy who has lost a bit of confidence.
This is just one reason why the Pistons need to make a move in their starting five, as it could help the team overall but also help get Duren back on track.
Pistons starting lineup: Replacing Jalen Duren with Isaiah Stewart
Isaiah Stewart has been the team’s best defender this season and seems to provide a boost on that end as soon as he enters the game. In the long term, this is probably Stewart’s ideal role, as he doesn’t provide enough on offense to be a true starting center, and also tends to get into foul trouble.
But with the way Duren has been playing defensively, coach Bickerstaff may need to make this switch. He’s talked endlessly about having a defensive identity, so why not start the game with your best defending big on the floor?
This would allow the Pistons to set the tone right away. Detroit has a 3.9 net rating when Stewart is on the floor and a –5.2 with Duren, which is the lowest of any of the full-time players.
Stewart’s defensive rating is seven points lower than Duren’s and the rating of the entire team goes way up when Duren is on the floor.
Stewart is blocking more shots (1.5 per game to 1.1) even though he is playing fewer minutes and is a part of all of the Pistons’ top lineups.
The two lineups that have played the most minutes are the usual starting five of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, THJ, Tobias Harris and Duren and that same lineup but with Stewart in at center.
The starters with Duren have a –2.1 net rating while the starters with Stewart have a 10.9 rating, a 13-point swing. Both the offense and defense have been significantly better with Stewart on the floor with the rest of the regular starters.
This is a move the team has to make, and it’s one that could help Jalen Duren.
Jalen Duren coming off the bench
I’m sure the young big man wants no part of coming off the bench, but it could be the best thing for him.
He could get some reps against the other team’s backup center, which should be an easier defensive assignment.
It might also allow him to get in a rhythm offensively with either Cade Cunningham or Jaden Ivey in the pick-and-roll, an area where he hasn’t been as effective this season.
Who knows, maybe Duren would have a couple of big games off the bench and start to build his confidence back up, as there aren’t many backups who can handle him on the boards.
Duren and Stewart are going to split the minutes fairly evenly one way or another, but right now the team would benefit from a change in the starting five and allowing Duren to try and find a rhythm off the bench.