Surprising Pistons player gets Most Improved Player love

For the Detroit Pistons to be competitive this season, a lot of things have to go right. 

Their new veterans need to integrate quickly and provide the advertised space that made the Pistons pursue them.

The team needs to stay healthy, starting with getting Ausar Thompson back sooner rather than later and working him back into the rotation. 

Instant impact from Ron Holland II wouldn’t hurt, nor would big-time contributions from bench players like Simone Fontecchio and Isaiah Stewart. 

But the biggest factors are in the backcourt, as the Pistons need both Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey to have breakout seasons, Cunningham as the leader of the team and Ivey as a reliable sidekick. 

Of the two, Cunningham was getting the most buzz until recently, when Ivey looked good in the preseason, hitting over 60 percent of his shots and getting them from all over the floor. 

But it was still surprising to see him, and not Cade Cunningham predicted as a Most Improved Player candidate in a recent debate. 

Jaden Ivey or Cade Cunningham for Most Improved Player? 

If either of these two players are in the running for Most Improved Player this season it will be great news for the Pistons, as they need leaps from both. 

In a recent article in The Athletic (subscription) Josh Robbins chose Jaden Ivey as his pick as a candidate for Most Improved Player this season after his colleagues chose LaMelo Ball and Scottie Barnes, two players who have already been on All-Star teams. 

Here’s part of what he had to say about Ivey: 

“Ivey’s so fast and explosive that he can always pile up points in transition if the Pistons get stops. This preseason, he’s also scored on push shots, catch-and-shoot 3s, feet-set 3s and midrange jumpers.” 

Ivey still has to prove he can hit all of those kinds of shots consistently, but the signs are positive so far. 

But one thing this touches upon that is important is Ivey in transition and how he may get more opportunities with an improved defense around him. 

The Pistons were 16th in fast break points per game last season, and that was with the 25th ranked defense. They were 20th in blocks per game and dead last in steals per game, so if they can improve in those areas (they should), there will be more transition opportunities for Ivey, especially with the 2nd unit, which should lead to a bump in scoring average and efficiency. 

Improvements in scoring and efficiency will get Ivey some attention, but the truth for him is the same as the truth for Cade Cunningham when it comes to individual rewards and respect: 

You are not going to get them until the team wins. 

If that happens, I would imagine Cunningham getting more of the credit, but Ivey can make a case for himself if he breaks out and the Pistons ascend in the standings.