Jaden Ivey can hold the key to the Pistons’ ascension into the NBA’s top tier. As he makes his comeback after a horrific injury last season, Ivey will have a huge role to fill on the team. Based on media day comments, he seems ready to not just return to the level he was showing last season, but improve to his best season yet.
Jaden Ivey looks improved from last season
Team personnel and teammates couldn’t stop gushing about Ivey’s injury recovery. Many praised his work ethic and unwavering self-belief during the process, and the results are impressive too. When Tobias Harris was asked if Ivey was back to being as fast as last season, he joked “No. He’s faster.”
Harris’ comment was made partially in jest, but he did get serious and let the room know that Duncan Robinson could not believe Ivey’s speed and athleticism, especially after a catastrophic leg injury, when he saw him on the court for the first time as a teammate. There will understandably be some concern with pushing Ivey too hard too quickly in the season, but he seems ready to contribute right away according to his teammates.
Furthermore, Ivey himself spoke about additions he has been making to his game. He mentioned that he recognized the importance of a midrange game from watching dominant guards in the playoffs, and has been working hard to add one of his own. Last season, Ivey was great shooting the ball from three-point range and getting to the rim, but struggled in between. His hard work on his midrange, as well as working with teammate Cade Cunningham, should make him a more complete player.
Ivey’s focus on the playoffs is also essential for the Pistons’ ultimate goal. The team clearly wants to go further in the postseason next year, and having Ivey be a legitimate second star alongside Cade will help in that effort. In the playoffs, teams can gameplan for players’ weaknesses so having an in-between game as a counter is even more important when teams crowd the paint and run Ivey off the 3-point line.
Jaden Ivey will be in a contract season, but does not seem overly worried about that. He reiterated that he’s only focused on the present, even stating that his current focus is the first preseason game, rather than worrying about the future contract negotiations. After a tumultuous summer for restricted free agents, it’s good to hear Ivey reaffirm that his contract situation will not be a distraction to himself or the team.
After a major injury, Jaden Ivey is looking for a major bounce back season to new heights. Hopefully he can follow a similar career trajectory to Cade, who had his first All-Star selection last season just two years after a season-ending injury and subsequent surgery.