Jalen Duren has to get back to the skill that will unlock everything

Jalen Duren has flashed skill as a passer in his career for the Detroit Pistons, and he has to get back to it to unlock other parts of his offensive game. 

Duren’s points and rebounds both went up from the previous season, but his assists actually went down from 2.7 to 2 per game, even though his usage rate increased by nearly eight percent. 

Duren had the ball in his hands considerably more this season than he did the season before, yet had fewer assists, which means he wasn’t looking to pass as much. 

There are good reasons for that, but the playoffs showed that Duren’s passing is necessary to open up some of the spacing issues the Pistons have in the half court. 

Jalen Duren was asked to do more with no viable second option 

To his credit, Duren increased his points per game to nearly 20, so he stepped up when the Pistons needed him at various points throughout the season. 

Duren averaged 22.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists when Cade Cunningham was out this season and was able to get his points as the first option in the offense. 

This may have been a bit of fools’ gold, as some of Duren’s go-to moves were not as effective in the playoffs against good rim protectors who had plenty of time to prepare. 

Duren was effectively shut down in the playoffs, partially because he had become too predictable and isn’t a real second option to begin with. 

Jalen Duren’s passing can open things up 

Detroit actually averaged more assists per game without Cunningham this season, as they were sharing the ball more, with Duren’s assists nearly doubling without Cade on the floor. 

In the playoffs, the Pistons mostly used Duren as a roll man, which both Orlando and Cleveland were able to shut down almost entirely. Detroit used Duren sparingly in face up action at the top of the key, and the results were mostly poor with him trying to take his man to the rim, though he did have more success in game six against Cleveland.

It’s easy to stop, and passing is the easiest way out of it, particularly from the short roll and dribble hand off. Teams packed the lane in the playoffs, not allowing Duren to have the deep roll for lobs that was so successful throughout the regular season. 

By getting Duren the ball higher, it forces defenders out of the lane, which should open up cutting lanes for guys like Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland. If Duren can effectively pass out of these situations, which he has shown in the past, then it opens up the floor in the half court. 

Adding a 12-15 foot jumper would help this even more, but passing out of the short roll will force defenses to be more honest in pick and roll coverage. 

Duren has this sill in his bag, and it’s something the Pistons need to tap into if they want to have him and Thompson on the floor at the same time. 

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