Three Takeaways From Pistons Open Practice
Dwayne Casey welcomed fans bright and early on Sunday morning and informed the crowd of the team's collective growth over the offseason and undying commitment to become one of the premier defensive teams in the NBA.
Focus On Defense
Casey emphasized that defense would be the focal point of this squad's identity. Appropriately, the practice opened with numerous defensive drills where fans witnessed repetitive close-out and face-guarding exercises to prevent easy buckets. It is important to note how physical the players looked during these drills - not only adopting but also embodying the "nothing easy" mentality.
Casey also had the players run a lot of rotation/switching drills which may be a sign of the defensive versatility of this squad. For example, fans witnessed Jalen Duren's ability to switch onto guards and defend the perimeter flawlessly, showcasing his gritty mentality and attention to detail on the defensive end. Having a lineup of five positionless defenders who can manage unorthodox matchups and keep up with various players with varying skill sets will benefit the Pistons' play-in aspirations and improved defensive presence, which Casey emphasized as the primary goal of the 2022-23 season.
Increased Athleticism
LCA has lacked electric, above-the-rim players for years now. A washed-up Blake Griffin and flashes from Hamidou Diallo were quintessential stepping stones to names like Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. Unsurprisingly, the first two dunks of the morning came from the speedy Ivey and lengthy Duren. The league will fear the mere vertical ability of these two rookies in years to come; however, their athleticism will be a show from opening night.
During the scrimmage, Ivey struggled to get open and make shots; however, he relied on his shifty acceleration and fast-paced tempo to get open looks and force his way into the paint for numerous contested finishes. Likewise, Duren was not the offensive juggernaut that he was in the Summer League, though his freakish athleticism allowed for critical defensive plays and aggressive offensive boards. Their combined efforts at practice signify how raw athleticism can be vital for these aerial wizards to depend on during their rookie struggles and adjustment to NBA competition.
The Three Ball
Collectively, last year's starters appeared to have improved their three-point shooting. Isaiah Stewart's scrimmage play answered the question of his ability to play a stretch four role, as he looked very comfortable shooting from three. His shot had a vastly flat arc, which may result from the pushing motion during his high-point release. Nonetheless, he managed to drain a few threes when given the opportunity.
The newest, and most notable addition, Bojan Bogdanovic, was underwhelming during the open scrimmage. However, Dwayne Casey can thoroughly leverage his knockdown three-point shooting abilities once he develops a rapport with his teammates and solidifies his role within the lineup. Though his shot did not fall consistently during the scrimmage, his credited quick release appeared faster in person. The sheer speed of his catch-and-shoot ability will be a problem for opposing defenses to deal with, especially considering the incredible playmaking and court vision of Cade Cunningham. Besides being the critical veteran presence for a young team, his skill set will undoubtedly impact the "win now" mentality for the Pistons this season.
Saddiq Bey, Cunningham and Killian Hayes also displayed increased comfortability and consistency with their jumpers. Bey effortlessly knocked down his coveted side-step shots, Cade showcased improved range, and Hayes flaunted a novel pull-up three-point shot that appeared to fall every time he got an open look.
Conclusion
Despite the leaps and bounds made over the past offseason, the Pistons still have much to prove. In an unbelievable Eastern Conference, this young squad will look to maneuver its way into the play-in, which appears to be an incredibly daunting task.
Fortunately, Sunday's open practice was a grand success, and fans were able to get a glimpse of the Pistons' new and improved team ahead of their first preseason matchup against the Knicks tonight at 7:00 PM.
