"Best ever?" Jaden Ivey needs to slow down

Jaden Ivey spent his first two seasons with the Detroit Pistons being told to slow down. 

He often didn’t know when to release his incredible speed, which led to turnovers and bad shots. 

He’s improved that this season, as Ivey is playing more in control, is picking his spots more effectively and has seen his numbers improve with better efficiency. 

But when it comes to a recent statement Ivey made, my advice would once again be to slow down. 

Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham: The best backcourt ever?  

One of the most exciting developments for the Pistons this season has been the development of their two guards. 

Cunningham is playing like an All-Star and Ivey has already put himself in the early discussion for Most Improved Player, so we are getting most of what we wanted from two of Detroit’s building blocks. 

But the Pistons still have a losing record, and have had the entire time Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey have been in the league, which is why a recent statement by Ivey caught me by surprise. 

In an interview with Sportkeeda, Ivey talked about his potential with Cunningham among other things and had this to say: 

"The potential is limitless. Cade is an All-Star and will be one of the best players in this league," Ivey stated to Sportskeeda. "Our ability to share the floor has been special from day one. I believe we have the talent to be one of the best backcourts ever." 

I’ve been impressed with Cade and Ivey so far and they have answered many of the questions about their long-term fit, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. 

Cade and Ivey have miles to go before they’d even be considered the best backcourt the Pistons have ever had, as Detroit has had outstanding backcourts in all of their championship years. 

I’m not sure Cade and Ivey have even reached Lindsey Hunter/Jerry Stackhouse level yet, so they have a long way to go before they get to Chauncey and Rip or Isiah and Dumars. 

I love Ivey’s confidence, and I do agree that Cade will be an All-Star and a top-15-20 player at some point, but unless they start stringing together some wins, they will never be considered one of the Pistons’ great backcourts, much less one of the great backcourts of all time. 

For this season, I’d be happy if the two were the best backcourt in the division. Right now, they are not, as the Cavs’ backcourt has that honor, and depending on who you ask, the Bucks and Pacers might also be better. 

The Pistons are earning respectability as a team, and with that, individual accolades will come, but not until the wins do, so let’s pump the brakes on all the “best ever” talk.