The Detroit Pistons have found themselves the perfect second star next to Cade Cunningham. Big man Jalen Duren has become a cornerstone for the Pistons franchise and is well on his way to his first All-Star nod.
Duren, who just turned 22, has been a revelation for the Pistons, who currently hold the best record in the Eastern Conference thanks in large part to his rapid development.
In his fourth season, Duren is nearly doubling his career average in points while posting a true shooting percentage of 70 percent. He’s also a machine as a rebounder, ranking sixth in the league, and has vastly improved as a rim protector for the Pistons’ fourth-ranked defense.
The duo of Cunningham and Duren is one of the best pick-and-rolls in the NBA. Duren has finished more at-rim shots off Cunningham passes than any two-man combination in the league so far this season.
The Pistons have also empowered Duren to be more of a shot creator and playmaker on his own this season. That has proven fruitful for Detroit’s offense, particularly because it has helped take some of the offensive burden off Cunningham’s shoulders.
The above video details how Duren thrives in tandem with Cunningham, as well as the three most-improved areas of Duren’s game.
