DETROIT — Coach JB Bickerstaff has repeatedly said he believes each player on the Detroit Pistons’ roster could help the team win.
It’s a statement that has been accurate amid the emergence of Daniss Jenkins. The two-way prospect was vital in the Pistons’ 108-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Jenkins notched a career-high 15 assists, 12 of which came amid Detroit’s second-half comeback.
The Pistons had a chance to prove Bickerstaff correct again on Saturday night. With Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart each out due to an injury and illness, Bickerstaff had to dig deeper into the roster to fill the frontcourt vacancies. Tolu Smith III had his second opportunity with significant playing time of the season when the Pistons faced the Los Angeles Clippers at Little Caesars Arena.
“I just feel like when bodies are down, just next-man-up mentality. I think our culture and our ability to just play with whoever we got; we got a group of dawgs that are just willing to play,” Smith said. “We all got that winning mindset.”
Smith was instrumental in helping the Pistons deliver one of their most impressive performances of the season, despite the 98-92 loss. The second-year big man came off the bench and finished with a team-best 14 rebounds, nine points and four blocks.
The Pistons walked off their home floor with a loss, but Smith’s performance highlighted the impact of the franchise’s G League program, which has been crucial to the team’s success this season.
“There are a lot of guys in the G League who just need opportunity, but the hard part about the NBA is that you have 15 guys on the roster,” Bickerstaff said. “Everyone doesn’t get an opportunity. But when you go back and look at the story of this league, going all the way back to the D League, guys that started in the D League and worked their way back up, became quality NBA players; the G League has been the same thing. It’s an extreme value to us; we do not take it for granted.”
The Motor City Cruise, the Pistons’ G League affiliate, has had a disappointing season so far, with a 2-7 record entering Sunday night’s game against Salt Lake City. Despite their struggles, the Cruise have made significant strides in developing their two-way players.
Smith notched a career-best 26 minutes against the Clippers. It also marked the third time in his career that he played over 15 minutes on an NBA floor. Each time Smith has played meaningful minutes, he has proven he can carve out an authentic role, averaging 9.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks.
His performance on an NBA floor has been similar to what has made him a dominant presence with the Cruise, relying on his low-post scoring, rebounding and defensive attributes. In five games in the G League, Smith is averaging 16.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.
“That’s my dawg; we have been in the trenches together, I know how much it means to him to come out and contribute,” Jenkins said. “For him to do that, he gets the confidence of knowing that he belongs, goes out there and holds his own. He has just been itching for an opportunity, and I am happy for him.”
Jenkins has emerged as one of the league’s best stories. He has appeared in 31 games for the Pistons and is nearing the 50-game threshold, which would require the team to convert his two-way contract to a standard one. Jenkins has showcased his rise as a prominent backup floor general and scoring option for the reserve unit, averaging 7.6 points on 42.8% shooting, including 39.0% from 3-point range, and 3.3 assists.
“DJ is my guy; I’m just so proud of him and the moments that he has had,” Smith said. “DJ and I have had long conversations about times like this, staying ready and staying in the gym. We never knew when that moment would come. But after all the time we spent in the gym and working, it has been for moments like these.”
Jenkins and Smith have dedicated significant time to developing their skills individually with the Cruise. Before the season began, both players expressed their desire to avoid spending their second seasons in the G League. However, both players believe their ability to carry their G League impact into the NBA is also a testament to coach Jamelle McMillan’s teachings.
McMillan shares the same coaching philosophies as Bickerstaff, which have been essential in ensuring each two-way prospect is ready when an opportunity arises.
“He (McMillan) has a really tough job because there is a bunch of different guys trying to get the same thing, which is an opportunity,” Jenkins said. “But to get us to play where we can help an NBA team, that’s a big-time job by a coach.”
Bickerstaff added, “Jamelle does a great job with our guys, coaching them and putting them in positions to help develop each player, so when they get the opportunity, they are ready. It’s a credit to him with the job that he does.”
Bickerstaff has consistently praised the depth of the Pistons’ roster. What was initially dismissed as typical coachspeak has become reality. Trusting each player on the team will be crucial to supporting the Pistons’ pursuit of a deep postseason run, potentially extending their playoff run into late May and early to mid-June.
“I was just taking advantage of the opportunity and staying ready at the end of the bench,” Smith said. “The moment came, and I was just trying to win.”