Jaden Ivey scored his first regular season hoop in nearly a year and helped the Detroit Pistons to their 12th straight win, one off the all-time franchise record.
Ivey was a somewhat unexpected addition to the lineup last night and teammate Tobias Harris came back with him, so the Pistons are as close to full strength as they’ve been in some time, with just Marcus Sasser and Bobi Klintman still on the injury list.
Ivey’s return was much anticipated, and the Pistons can now start to answer some of the questions that need to be answered before the trade deadline, namely whether this team is going to try to make a move or if they think they have enough to compete right now.
With Ivey back, the Pistons look like the deepest team in the Eastern Conference, and there are reasons to be excited.
Jaden Ivey looks huge
I said this in the preseason, but Jaden Ivey looks to have packed on some muscle since the last time we saw him, especially in his upper body.
I thought that might be Desmond Bane running around out there last night, which is a great development, as extra strength should help Ivey absorb some of the contact at the rim without hitting the floor every time.
Ivey didn’t force things and can learn from Ausar Thompson
For a guy who has missed a ton of time rejoining a team that is absolutely cooking right now, Ivey didn’t look uncomfortable at all. I expected a rocky return and some rust, but he looked perfectly comfortable in the offense, and his jumper was clean.
In some ways, Ausar Thompson has given him a blueprint for how to operate with Cade Cunningham on the floor, as Thompson flashes to the ball whenever Cade gets doubled and often just keeps going to the rim.
Ivey did this a few times last night, and he’s even quicker on the attack than Ausar. He didn’t force anything, but instead probed the defense, made them react, took the drive if it was there, and kept it moving if it wasn’t.
Ivey looked fluid for a guy who has missed so much time, which is promising.
Ivey won’t have to run backup point guard
I like Ivey much more as a secondary attacker rather than primary facilitator, as it allows him to use his speed to blow past defenders who get out of position. With Daniss Jenkins on board, Ivey won’t have to play point guard all of the time Cade is on the bench.
Jenkins’ ability to break down a defense is going to help Ivey as much as anyone, as it will open up lanes for him to attack, though I do worry about the defense with the two of them on the court together, which will be something to keep an eye on.
JB Bickerstaff has a tough job
I don’t envy JB right now, as he has 12 NBA rotation players who deserve to play but eventually, he’s going to have to make choices.
The way he’s shooting right now, it’s going to be tough to take Duncan Robinson out of the starting five, as his gravity on the perimeter is helping the Cade/Jalen Duren pick and roll.
We may see Ivey continue to come off the bench, at least for the foreseeable future, as Bickerstaff has to balance his team’s incredible start with trying to get his guys minutes, which won’t be easy.
It’s ultimately a great problem to have, and it was amazing to see Jaden Ivey back in there last night. If coach Bickerstaff can figure this rotation out, the Eastern Conference is in big trouble.