DETROIT — Whenever coach J.B. Bickerstaff calls on Ron Holland II, the Pistons forward takes a moment to give himself a quick motivational message before stepping onto the court: “Just make plays, 5.”
The message is a way for Holland to calm the nerves that naturally arise before a player checks into the game. However, it is also a reminder to himself that to make a significant impact on the Detroit Pistons, his contributions have to go beyond numbers on the stat sheet.
“My whole goal with this team for me is just to be impactful,” Holland told The Detroit News. “Be able to help this team win the possession game. I don’t care if I have 15 points or three points. Whatever this team needs I am willing to do it.”
The Pistons are a little over a quarter of the way through the season and have established themselves as title contenders. Detroit leads the Eastern Conference at 19-5 and Holland has been vital to the team’s early success.
Amid averages of 8.0 points on 40.1% shooting, 26.5% on 3-point shooting and 3.3 rebounds, Holland has not replicated the performance that earned him Second-Team All-Summer League honors in July. But his impact on the Pistons in his second season has not been disappointing.
“It has been a progression for him; it’s not always going to be about points with Ron. It’s about him contributing to winning, and that is what he does at a high level,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s all of the intangibles that don’t always get put in the stat sheet. The bonus that comes with him is all the offensive stuff that he is able to do, like getting to the basket and finishing, knocking down his 3s when he is open, as well as creating for himself and others.”
Holland has played in all 24 games and it has been a rollercoaster at times. At the start of the season, Holland felt he was playing some of the best basketball of his career. He helped the Pistons start 5-2, averaging 10.6 points on 46.6% shooting, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals.
Holland failed to score in double figures only twice, demonstrating why many of his teammates and coaches raved about his improvements before the start of training camp in October.
During the Pistons’ 114-103 victory over the Utah Jazz on Nov. 5, Holland finished with nine points. At the time, his scoring was on par with the previous seven games; however, the night marked the start of a 13-game stretch in which he failed to score in double figures.
“I’ve grown a lot in different areas. I still have a lot of room for improvement, but I like where I am at right now,” Holland said. “We have a lot of games and possessions that will lead to a lot of learning. I understand that, and that’s how I am going throughout this whole process — not getting too high or too low.”
The mediocre improvements in his 3-point shooting — showcased during the first seven games — plummeted to 21.4% wth a scoring average of 5.8 points. Holland felt he was overthinking on the court, hanging his head after missed shots or mishaps, which led to a handful of disheartening scoring performances.
Although frustrated, Holland found ways to avoid letting his disappointment get the better of him. He spent more time finding ways to improve, whether by watching more game film or putting in extra time on the practice court.
His most significant resource came from leaning on his “trusted circle” of coaches, family and teammates, all of whom reminded Holland not to lose sight of the attributes that made him an intriguing prospect to the Pistons during the summer of 2024.
“He is going to find a way; every single night he brings an energy off the bench,” Isaiah Stewart said. “I feel like his ceiling is so high, and he is slowly growing. The sky is the limit for him, and I’ve enjoyed watching him play. … Coach was able to play him as soon as we drafted him. He has been able to impact this organization right away.”
Energy and hustle have driven Holland’s impact in his sophomore season, which has significantly altered a handful of games in the Pistons’ favor.
His ability to win 50-50 balls has been key to his contributions, as he leads the Pistons’ reserve unit with 15 recovered loose balls. Holland also ranks third in deflections with a total of 60, trailing Ausar Thompson (94) and Javonte Green (61). His hustle has resulted in him recording the fifth-most steals in the league, totaling 40 so far this season.
“That’s the thing that we love the most about Ron – his willingness to do whatever it takes to win basketball games,” Bickerstaff said. “He plays the game with fearlessness. He always has a nose for the ball and always seems to come up with loose balls. Defensively, he can take on all sorts of challenges.”
Bickerstaff continued, “As a collective, we are (still a work in process), and he is a part of that process. As we continue to get better, he will continue to get better, and he will be one of our best finished products.”
Holland has established himself as a player who will do the dirty work, but that hasn’t stopped him from showcasing his offensive talents. Over the last five games, Holland has returned to his scoring form, averaging 10.6 points on 41.9% shooting from the field.
He gave the Pistons a much-needed boost off the bench during Detroit’s 122-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. He scored 17 points for the second time in a week. His most significant contribution came through his 3-point shooting, as he tied a season-high with three made triples in the win.