DETROIT — Duncan Robinson values the chance to watch his teammates make huge plays at the rim.
Not that Robinson doesn’t offer plenty to help his Detroit Pistons team, but he knows his game is about taking shots from distance and helping open things up for the offense while someone like Ron Holland is exploding to the rim and putting opposing players on posters.
Holland — in his sophomore NBA season — had a few of those kinds of plays in Saturday night’s 43-point win over the last-place Indiana Pacers. The highlight one that set off the Detroit bench came in the third quarter, with Holland stuffing a monster dunk over Pontiac, Michigan native, Isaiah Jackson.
“That was pretty cool. It’s always cool when people do that stuff, because I can’t do that stuff, so I appreciate it a little bit more,” Robinson said with a smile. “Sometimes I feel like Ron and I are playing a different sport, but it’s fun.”
Holland continues to prove something of a unique addition to the Pistons’ roster and there’s a strong confidence inside the locker room he’ll only get better.
While the 20-year-old is at times unpolished and still developing his shot, there’s no denying his intense motor on both ends of the court and willingness to put his body on the line to make plays.
“We’ve seen it time and time again. he is that spark plug that can come off the bench and immediately change the momentum of a game on both ends of the floor,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. “He terrorizes people on the defensive end of the floor, creates steals, gets out in transition, has the ability to attack the basket and make plays going towards the rim. So he knew exactly what we needed.”
A key member of Detroit’s bench mob, Holland is finding himself with more and more responsibility for the Pistons.
Over the last four games, Holland is averaging 10.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 24 minutes per game. He’s also scored in double digits in three straight games for the first time in his career.
There were flashes in his first season in the NBA he could be a frequent contributor, but amid a rotation that’s sustained a lot of injuries this season he’s showcasing his impact nightly.
Holland isn’t going out to score 20 points a game — a feat he hasn’t achieved yet this season — but he’s going to win the Pistons extra possessions with steals, blocks, overwhelming defense and second-chance opportunities.
Since the start of 2026, Holland is the only Detroit player averaging over eight points, two offensive rebounds, one steal and one block per game, with a defended field goal percentage of 41.3%.
His teammates backed the former fifth overall pick as a potential breakout star for the season.
And while his stats don’t always jump off the page, those same teammates are seeing a greater confidence and maturity from Holland that is serving the first-place Pistons well.
“He’s growing every game. He’s getting better and better. He’s got a long way to go, but sky is the limit for Ron,” center Jalen Duren said. “He’s only Year 2 and he’s a guy who’s got some playoff experience, he’s a guy who’s helped us get where we are now. I’m just excited to see him continue to grow into the player that he’s going to be.”