The Detroit Pistons are trying to prove that shooting the basketball is not that important for finding success in the sport. Okay, that's not entirely true, but the two-man lineup of Jalen Duren — whose range is expanding, but doesn't go far outside the paint — and Ausar Thompson — who doesn't have a jumpshot to speak of — being so successful illustrates how the Pistons continue to go their own way, and find success doing it.
When Duren and Thompson are on the floor together, they post a net rating of 13.3 (thanks to Basketball University for tipping off this stat).
That's incredible production; it's fair to ask how much of a factor Cade Cunningham plays in that success, though. Surprisingly, not much; the three-man lineup of Duren, Thompson, and Cunningham has a plus-12.6 net rating. That's still elite, but it also shows that Duren and Thompson aren't simply leaching off of Cade's high-level production when they're all on the floor. The two other young stars in Detroit can manage on their own, as we've seen during this 8-2 stretch without Cade.
In fact, Duren and Thompson have a better net rating with Daniss Jenkins leading the charge. That's not a slight on Cade, of course (who this team will eventually need back in the worst way) but an encomium to two of the most unique and fascinating young stars in the league, who are showing they're not just nice players to surround Cade with, but standouts in their own right who make any lineup better when they're in it. It's also another sign that Daniss Jenkins is not just a flash in the pan.
Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson are way more than good role players
I talked recently about how Jalen Duren is being overlooked as the team's No. 2 scoring option because he's not a traditional modern scorer. Ausar Thompson, meanwhile, is starting to be overlooked as the best perimeter defender in basketball — a label he's potentially earned.
Earlier this season, Thompson and Duren got into a heated exchange after giving up a layup to Andre Drummond. By the end of the timeout, they had shaken hands and were ready to get back on the court together. This is exactly what you want to see from cornerstone players; hold each other accountable, and make each other better.
Now, as the playoffs loom, Ausar is campaigning for Duren to be an All-NBA player... And he might get his wish. Duren will qualify for All-NBA honors, and with numerous stars not being able to say that, Duren may well sneak his way into the honor.
Whether or not he makes his first All-NBA team, he and Ausar alike have the numbers to show that they're not merely the "other young guys" on the Pistons roster. They're two pieces of a young Big 3, which doesn't fall apart when one part of the trio is sidelined.