For Jaden Ivey to be the second star the Pistons need, he will need to be a better finisher at the rim.
We’ve talked endlessly this summer about the Pistons’ need for a second star to flank Cade Cunningham, the importance of which has been driven home by Jalen Williams’ performance in the playoffs. Even if you have the MVP, you need another star who can step up and win a game, something the Pistons lacked in their first-round loss to the Knicks.
Jaden Ivey only played 30 games this season, which was clearly the biggest disappointment of an otherwise great renaissance year in Detroit. I felt bad for Ivey, who was starting to come into his own, but it also set back the Pistons’ evaluation process, as they didn’t get to see him play much with Ausar Thompson, so we don’t fully know what this core can be.
Ivey showed many of the improvements he needed to: He was knocking down 3-point shots at a high rate, especially in the catch-and-shoot, where he hit over 45 percent, something that is key to him being Cade’s sidekick, as he’ll have to play off the ball.
Ivey’s defense wasn’t great, but he was making strides on that end, at least in positioning and effort.
We all know about the turnovers, as Ivey had a pathetic four to three assist-to-turnover ratio that has to get better. You can say the same about Cade, but he was handling the ball a lot more and dished out 9.1 assists per game to offset some of them.
But to fully unlock Ivey’s potential, as well as that of the halfcourt offense, he has to get better around the rim.
Jaden Ivey can get to the rim, but finishing is an issue
This is another problem shared by Cade Cunningham, as he too shot a pedestrian percentage (56.4%) on shots under five feet.
Ivey was slightly better (on fewer attempts and drawing fewer fouls) at 57.3 percent but it was an issue for both of the Pistons’ guards.
Ivey can boost this by getting a few more fastbreak dunks, which he almost certainly will playing more time with Ausar Thompson, a guy who is going to get steals and set up run outs.
But Ivey also has to get better at absorbing and playing through contact, as he spends a ton of time on the floor looking for fouls that he doesn’t always get.
Another offseason in the weight room should help him improve, as he just needs to be stronger with the ball and with contact around the rim to help turn some of those drives into finishes.
Without elite shooters in the starting five, the Pistons are going to need their guards to be more efficient around the rim to make up for it, which is one reason you are seeing rumors of Detroit being after a stretch five to potentially create more space for them in that area.
The Pistons may have their second star in house, but Ivey has areas he has to improve upon to get there.