For the first time since 2008, the Detroit Pistons will have multiple players representing the franchise at the NBA All-Star Game.
Following Cade Cunningham’s selection as a starter, the Pistons will also see their star center, Jalen Duren, named to his first career All-Star game amid his best season to date.
Duren was among those announced as an All-Star reserve, selected by NBA coaches, on Sunday.
The former 13th overall pick has developed into one of the focal points of Detroit’s surge under coach J.B. Bickerstaff — who will serve as an All-Star coach for the first time — to being the top team in the Eastern Conference.
Duren’s offensive profile has skyrocketed in his fourth season, averaging a career-best 18 points per game, with 10.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and nearly a steal and block per appearance. His value not just as threat in the paint but a player capable of making his own opportunities and shooting from midrange has made him an undeniable rising star.
Duren is one of two centers in the NBA averaging over 15 points per game, while connecting on over 60% of their shots — the other being three-time Most Valuable Player, Nikola Jokic.
“He’s dominated the paint on both ends of the floor, whether it’s scoring, rebounding, protecting the rim, his playmaking, his ability to score and go get it on his own,” Bickerstaff said last week. “But even on top of that, it’s not hollow. He’s impacted winning in a high way. And anytime a team is sitting first in a conference anywhere multiple guys should get the nod because if winning is the ultimate goal and that’s where you gain, your respect, nobody’s done it at a higher level.”
His impact didn’t go unnoticed as the Pistons have shot out to the second-best start in franchise history — 35-12 as of Sunday — and Duren playing a major role.
Duren has a win share of 5.4 — an estimate of the number of wins a player contributes — which is above Cunningham’s 5.2. He ranks 13th in the NBA for win share and third among all centers for win share.
“You’re not going to find bigs better than him,” Cunningham said Tuesday. “Not going to find bigs that impact winning more than he does. I think that’s a simple fact. He’s a star on this team and this team is dominating the league right now.”
You would need to go back to the tail end of the “Goin’ to Work” era of Detroit basketball with Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups and Richard “Rip” Hamilton going to the All-Star game for the last time more than one Piston was playing in the game.
Since then, Allen Iverson, Andre Drummond, Blake Griffin and Cunningham have had appearances, but never alongside a fellow Detroit player.
The All-Star game will take place on Feb. 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., hosted by the Los Angeles Clippers. A new format this year will see the group of All-Stars divided into three teams — two U.S. and one World team — to play in a round robin tournament featuring four total games with a 12-minute time limit.
Here is the full list of NBA All-Stars:
Eastern Conference
Starters
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
Jaylen Brown - Boston Celtics
Jalen Brunson - New York Knicks
Cade Cunningham - Detroit Pistons
Tyrese Maxey - Philadelphia 76ers
Reserves
Scottie Barnes - Toronto Raptors
Jalen Duren - Detroit Pistons
Jalen Johnson - Atlanta Hawks
Donovan Mitchell - Cleveland Cavaliers
Norman Powell - Miami Heat
Pascal Siakam - Indiana Pacers
Karl-Anthony Towns - New York Knicks
Western Conference
Starters
Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
Luka Doncic - Los Angeles Lakers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder
Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets
Victor Wembanyama - San Antonio Spurs
Reserves
Deni Avdija - Portland Trail Blazers
Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant - Houston Rockets
Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
Chet Holmgren - Oklahoma City Thunder
LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
Jamal Murray - Denver Nuggets