DETROIT — For Jalen Duren to take his next step as an impact center, he knows that earning the trust of his Detroit Pistons teammates and coaches is of the utmost importance.
He’s showcased his ability on both ends of the court through his first three seasons, but Duren wants to continue evolving his game to help the Pistons win.
Due to hamstring tightness during the early parts of training camp, Duren missed the first two preseason games for the Pistons, losing some valuable early opportunities to get out on the court with his team.
But upon his preseason debut Tuesday night and heading into Detroit’s preseason finale Thursday night at home, Duren is proving why the team places a lot of faith in his skill.
“The more live reps he can get, the better,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Wednesday. “He looked good, he was moving well, doing the things that he does. So it was good for him. Tomorrow will be a better opportunity for him to get more reps.”
Duren only played 13 minutes for the Pistons against the Cleveland Cavaliers and it was without many of Detroit’s key players on the court. Duren still turned in eight points, five rebounds and two assists.
The hamstring didn’t seem to bother him and despite sitting a pair of games, Duren felt “like I haven’t lost a step.”
“Felt good. Happy to finally be back out there,” Duren said. “I really wanted to make sure I was able to get at least two preseason games in before the season started. Obviously, it’s nothing that can replicate real game reps. So it was good to get out.”
The offseason for Duren was a lot about getting his body right, trying to make sure he will be available for a full season and possibly more if the Pistons catch fire again to make a run at the postseason.
Last season during the playoffs, Duren averaged 11.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.7 blocks across their six games.
He’s also been working diligently on improving his jump shot to the point of being able to create more of his own offense when necessary.
As the season wore on, Bickerstaff began implementing Duren more in their half court offense, often giving him the chance to drive for his own baskets.
That was a testament to trust, for Duren, and now he’s building more trust by improving his technique and footwork on a jump shot that can expand where on the court his offensive impact is felt.
We got our first taste of that for Duren against Cleveland as he drove toward the rim against Jarrett Allen, took a turn before rising above him and sinking his jump shot.
“I feel as I continue to work and grow, I think J.B. will continue to trust me with a bunch of things throughout the offense,” Duren said last month. “Just locking in on it every day. Trying to progress as a player and get better and just be able to be used in any way possible. Like, any way JB wants to use me or put me in spots. I just want to be able to fill my role to the best of my ability.”
Duren said that knocking down a few last season and constant work on mechanics throughout the season got the confidence of the coaching staff up and now he has the “green light.”
Duren took just five pull-up shots last season, but he did make three of them.
It’s not as simple as just getting out on the court and letting the ball fly. He’s committed to spending more time on improving, sometimes being among the last players out at practice hitting shots from outside or running face ups against coaches at midrange.
“I work on it. It’s not something that I’m just trying. I come here, I work on my game every day, try to get better, become a better player,” Duren said. “Coaches, teammates trust me, they see me working on my game. So we keep expanding, keep doing whatever I gotta do to help the team move forward.”
Duren is expected to take the court for the Pistons’ preseason finale at Little Caesars Arena Thursday night after expressing his desire to play in two games before the regular season begins.
He might not get his full in-season workload against the Washington Wizards, but Duren is eager to continue developing his game throughout this season and it will begin with more flashes of his offensive growth in the days leading into the season.
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