What impact is Ron Holland making for Detroit Pistons?
Free Press Sports columnist Shawn Windsor break down the influence Ron Holland is making on the Detroit Pistons.
NEW YORK — Jalen Duren entered the offseason with a directive that can be summed up with one word: more.
More touches. More aggression. More confidence.
The fourth-year center had multiple conversations with coach J.B. Bickerstaff about expectations after a strong finish to the 2024-25 season. He took those conversations to heart. That, along with development in his skills, has established him as one of the league’s top centers this season.
Through nine games, the 21-year-old is averaging 19.2 points – crushing his previous career-high of 11.8 points – with 11.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. He and Cade Cunningham have led the way for the Detroit Pistons through their 7-2 start to the season, with Duren taking on more responsibility and thriving in his role.
“We’ve put together a plan over the summer for him and he was as dedicated to that plan as anybody,” Bickerstaff said Friday, Nov. 7 after their 125-107 win against the Brooklyn Nets. “He worked relentlessly on his game. He’s always had the talent. I think the confidence is coming now, too, so he can see what he can do against other guys. You watch how much more aggressive he is offensively with the ball in his hands.
“I think last year it was a lot of him getting set up. We wanted him to attack more. We want him to try to create for himself more, put more pressure on the defense. I think he’s done that. It all comes down to the work that he’s put in.”
Duren has supported his usual diet of alley-oop dunks and putbacks with a finesse he lacked in previous seasons. He’s taking opposing centers off the dribble with his improved handle, putting his back to the basket and making jump hooks and has even knocked down a few jumpers through nine games. He and Isaiah Stewart also have anchored the league’s top rim defense, with Duren showing improved technique and instincts, compared to last season.
Friday was his fifth double-double in nine games, his fifth game with at least 20 points and his second game with at least 30. He has put together a string of dominant performances – 30 points, 11 rebounds and three steals against the Nets, 22 points and 22 rebounds at home against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, 33 points and 10 rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks in Mexico City last Saturday, 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Orlando Magic on Oct. 29.
He’s even making more free throws, knocking down 85.5% of his attempts so far, as teams simply have not been able to keep him out of the paint.
“I’ve had conversations with J.B., multiple conversations coming into the summer about how he’s seen me work on my game all summer and wants me to continue to be aggressive and show what I’ve been working on,” Duren said Wednesday. “With that came a lot of confidence. My teammates too, telling me to keep attacking bigs and whoever opposing teams decide to put on me. I was just trying to do what they ask me to do.”
His pick-and-roll chemistry with Cade Cunningham has been the centerpiece of the Pistons’ offensive attack. He has slammed 18 alley-oops so far, learning how to function as an outlet when teams put multiple defenders on the All-NBA guard.
Duren’s presence has been a boon for Cunningham, who is in the midst of his own dominant stretch. He scored a season-high 34 points against the Nets, his third straight game with at least 30. Cunningham has dished out 19 assists to Duren so far. The big is his favorite target.
“He’s dominant,” Cunningham said Friday. “He’s not waiting. He’s attacking every game. Really can’t enough be said about how he’s approached the game lately and he has all the ability in the world to do what he’s been doing. It’s exciting.”
Among all centers, Duren is fifth in rebounds per game and 11th in points. Of all the centers averaging at least 15 points per game, Duren’s field goal percentage (64.3%) is second-highest.
It’s a contract year for Duren, who didn’t reach an extension agreement with the Pistons before the season. Next summer, he’ll enter restricted free agency and could have a strong market if his play continues.
His fit with the Pistons – and with Cunningham – is a big reason the team is off to its best start in nearly two decades, dating back to another 7-2 start in 2008-09.
“It is not easy, but I love my job,” Duren said Wednesday. “I’m for all the physicality, I’m banging all night with opposing bigs. I’m on the glass so they’re sending guys at me. I’m getting tagged, I’m getting elbowed coming through the lane on my rolls. And obviously Cade is who he is, so the way guys guard him, they guard him very aggressive.
“When people try to run through my screens, it doesn’t feel good. I try to do my job, man. I know everybody’s job is hard in its own way, so it’s no complaining or anything. I love what I do and I love playing with the guys I play with.”
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Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on XÂ @omarisankofa.
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