Jalen Duren has been spectacular this season and is now showing that he’s made a crucial improvement to become a defensive leader and anchor. The Pistons faced their toughest test of their win streak on Sunday night in Philadelphia, but Duren helped guide the team to a win with a well-rounded performance on both ends. His growth as a defender and leader were clear both on the court and off of it.
Jalen Duren is emerging as one of the league’s best centers
With Isaiah Stewart missing the game due to an ankle sprain, Duren had even more responsibility than usual. Stewart has proved proven himself as one of the best defenders in the entire NBA and his fearsome shot-blocking has been a great asset for the Pistons this season. The Pistons lead the league by far in paint protection overall behind the combination of Stewart and Duren, but it was unclear how much of that Duren could hold up by himself.
To the delight of the Pistons, Duren was a great defensive centerpiece in the win. He had three incredible blocks to prevent easy layups and showed great defensive awareness throughout the game. His evolution as a two-way center can solidify his place among the league’s top big men. His offensive potential has always been clear, but his defensive foundation was the biggest question mark in the last two seasons.
Additionally, Duren also showed incredible leadership in the middle of the game. After one Pistons breakdown that led to a wide open layup for the Sixers, Duren passionately called out his teammates for their lackluster defensive effort. He and Ausar Thompson got into a heated discussion during a timeout about the play. Some fans may see this as a sign of deteriorating team chemistry, but it’s actually indicative of a healthy team culture where everyone can hold each other accountable.
As the team’s starting center, Duren will often be the last line of defense and have a great view of everything else happening on the floor. He should be empowered to fix others’ defensive mistakes, and let them know what they could do better. Embracing this role with vocal leadership shows that Duren is ready to take on the mantle of a Pistons core piece for the long-term.
Jalen Duren’s offense has also been very impressive to start the season. He’s been one of the league's best pick and roll finishers and improved his scoring to 19 points per game, a huge jump from 12 last season. The offensive flashes were always there and now he’s living up to his full potential while adding to his game.
But his defensive improvement is arguably even more important. The Pistons succeed primarily through their strong defense, which allows them to get going in transition and dominate the paint. Now that Duren is combining his otherworldly athleticism with defensive awareness, the Pistons defense can reach even more incredible heights.