Stunning surprises and frustrating disappointments for Pistons at the All-Star break

The Detroit Pistons have the highest winning percentage in the NBA at the All-Star break, so there is not much to complain about. The season so far has been marked mostly by positivity, with nearly everyone on the roster contributing, but there have been a few disappointments. 

Let’s start with the positive, as there is far more of that to talk about. 

Daniss Jenkins and Javonte Green 

Any time you can get production from players on minimum deals, it’s a win, and the Pistons have two of them in Daniss Jenkins and Javonte Green, two players no one was counting on coming into the season. 

Jenkins was supposed to be buried in the depth chart or playing in the G-League, but early injuries to Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser opened the door and Jenkins barged through. He’s cemented himself as the Pistons’ backup point guard and is providing more production than Ivey at a fraction of the cost. No one saw this coming except Jenkins, who plays with the confidence of a guy who knows he belongs. 

Javonte Green has provided veteran toughness, stout defense (1.3 steals per game from the bench) and timely 3-point shooting this season. Coach JB Bickerstaff clearly trusts him and has had Green defending the other team’s best player at times and playing clutch time minutes. 

I liked the signing at the time but am still surprised at how important Green has been for this team. 

Paul Reed may be the league’s most underrated player 

BBall Paul is another guy who has stepped up in a big way, putting up monster numbers every time he is called upon. 

His Per-36 numbers show just how much impact he is making on a per minute basis, as he’s averaging an eye-opening 17.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.9 blocks. When Reed is in the game, the other team knows it, as he’s grabbing nearly two offensive rebounds in 12 minutes on average and making all of the hustle plays. 

Reed is easily the best third center in the league and would be playing bigger minutes on a lot of teams. I knew he could be chaotic in short stretches, but he’s been equally effective as a starter, averaging 13.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and 2.3 steals in seven games in the starting five. 

Caris LeVert has been a flop 

I’m not going to belabor the negatives too much, especially LeVert, who has become the scapegoat this season even though the Pistons are winning. He doesn’t pass the eye test, but the numbers also support that the Pistons are better when he’s off the floor. 

LeVert is a ball stopper and hasn’t been the playmaker the Pistons sought when they signed him, as he turns the ball over too much and has had poor shot selection. 

LeVert hasn’t found a role or rhythm, but to be fair, he’s also been in and out of the lineup with nagging injuries and illness, so hopefully he’ll find a way to make an impact at some point. 

Marcus Sasser deserves a shot 

It’s been a disappointing season for Sasser, who was set back by an injury and hasn’t been able to crack the rotation. 

If LeVert continues to struggle, Sasser may eventually get a shot, and he deserves one, as he’s been good whenever he’s played over the last two seasons and could give the Pistons a boost of 3-point shooting. 

His problem is not just LeVert, as it’s tough for coach Bickerstaff to run Sasser with Jenkins, as they give up too much size, and Jenkins has been the better playmaker. 

I love Ron Holland, but wish he could make a 3-point shot 

I absolutely love Ron Holland, so I am not going to get down on him too much, as he’s a disruptor who is morphing into one of the league’s most underrated players. 

He was snubbed for the Rising Stars game, which shows not many of these voters are paying attention or value winning basketball over empty stats. 

Holland changes the game in so many ways on both ends even though the offensive numbers aren’t there. He’s also only 20 years old, so we can’t expect him to become a two-way star overnight. He’s playing meaningful minutes on one of the best teams in the NBA, which is more than most guys his age can say. 

But it would be nice if he could shoot at least some. 

Holland’s 3-point percentage has actually dipped to just 22 percent this season even though he’s taking more of them. He looks confident and there isn’t anything glaring about his shot, but they just aren’t going in. 

If Holland could shoot even 34-35 percent, it would drastically change this team, so it’s not hyperbole to say his shooting could be the X-Factor in the playoffs, when teams are going to back off and dare him to beat them.