The Detroit Pistons got the devastating [news that Jaden Ivey will be out](https://pistonpowered.com/pistons-confirm-the-devastating-jaden-ivey-news-that-nobody-wanted-to-hear-01k7qdjt2vy0) for at least four weeks, and they took it out on the Washington Wizards with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren in midseason form.
The Pistons came out hot and stayed that way, rolling to an easy win over the hapless Wizards, using relentless defensive pressure to create turnovers and easy fast break buckets.
Jalen Duren was particularly impressive and showed many of the things Pistons fans were hoping to see.
Jalen Duren was extremely active on defense
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The Pistons got their hands on everything last night and Duren was at the center of it defensively. He showed the exact type of activity on that end that you want to see, with quick hands that netted him two steals.
He also swatted three shots in just 19 minutes, so Duren put in a full night’s defensive work in one half.
And when the Pistons did get stops, Duren was out and running, something he can take advantage of as one of the faster centers in the league. Duren was all over the place last night defensively, which is exactly what we wanted to see.
Duren is adding to his offensive game
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Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren may have the best chemistry in the league when it comes to the pick and roll. They connected for some beautiful lobs last night where they were completely in sync.
Duren has been more aggressive offensively in general, has posted up a few times and even pulled up for a little bank shot after beating his man off the dribble. He dropped 20 points on 10 shots in just 19 minutes and was making it look easy.
Duren looks a little leaner and quicker to start the season and has blown by defenders a few times already. The best part was that all of his buckets came in the flow of the offense, as JB BIckerstaff talked about after the game. Duren didn’t force anything or take a shot just to take it, they were all the right reads.
It’s exciting to think about the idea of Duren scoring closer to 20 points per game this season and being a real offensive weapon for Detroit.
Duren may be the second star
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Jalen Duren is often the overlooked answer to the question of who will be the Pistons’ second star, but he’s starting to look the part.
With Ivey sidelined with another injury, it’s [Duren who continues to look like the far safer bet](https://pistonpowered.com/most-important-part-jalen-duren-extension-total-money-detroit-pistons) when it comes to an extension.
He has the athleticism to be a dominant two-way center and is starting to show those signs at age 21. There are still kinks to iron out, but it’s not impossible to imagine Duren emerging as the guy the Pistons ultimately commit to long term.