Jaden Ivey’s offensive growth as a Detroit Pistons rookie can be seen in the numbers.
The final three months of the 2022-23 season will also be Ivey’s most accurate as an outside shooter. He improved as a playmaker, averaging nearly seven assists per game in March and April – nearly double the 3.7 he averaged in October.
With Cade Cunningham in street clothes most of the season, Ivey proved he can thrive as an offensive hub.
Now, he wants to prove himself on the other side of the floor.
Like many rookie guards, Ivey’s growth has been slower on defense. He often finds himself out of position when navigating screens. He gambled for loot more than necessary. At times, he lacked the necessary effort to stay in front of the ball handlers. There were highlight moments, but in the end he was rated as a negative defender.
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Ivey knows he has work to do entering his first full NBA offseason. He said he was working on “everything” when speaking to the media at Howarth Park on Wednesday, but defense was a concern for him.
“I think I’m just using my God-given gifts,” Ivey said. “Just being able to play better defense, I think that’s what I’m trying to lock down more. Using my speed to get through ball screens and not stop reading the ball screen. Always to stay in the game, always be involved in the defense. I feel like I’m better in that aspect.”
At 6-foot-4 with a 6-9 wingspan, Ivey has the tools needed to thrive defensively. He has a high advantage over many guards, and a longer wingspan than many wings. Pair that with his elite speed, and it’s easy to imagine him becoming a difference maker on that end of the floor.
It only sharpens his technique and effort. With Cunningham back this season, Ivey may be able to spend more energy on defense. He wants the Pistons to jump in that spot. It should help that Detroit’s new head coach, Monty Williams, has led the Phoenix Suns to a top-7 defensive rating over the past three seasons.
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It’s not just Ivey — defense should be a point of emphasis for everyone this season. The Pistons have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league for four straight seasons, including a 113.3 defensive rating in 2021-22 (24th in the NBA) and a 117.8 rating last year (27th). Ivey is optimistic that the team can make a leap.
“I feel like we’re starting to feel like that presence is where we can be a good defensive team, so we just have to continue to work hard and rely on what Monty has built for us,” Ivey said. “He has taught us a lot, all the coaches. We are very excited.”
It’s been a summer of friendship for the Pistons. Cunningham and Jalen Duren impressed in Las Vegas while training with Team USA. Not long after, Cunningham and Duren were joined by Ivey, Isaiah Stewart, Ausar Thompson, Marcus Sasser and others during UCLA’s annual Rico Hines run. The hope is that the chemistry developed this summer will pay off in time.
“It’s great,” Ivey said. “This is what we need, just to be together and play and read each other’s minds. Getting reps, that’s what helps us become a better team. Can play together. You see a lot of teams, Golden State, they’ve been together for a long time. That core, we feel like we have our core guys that continue to work hard in practice every day, play together and build reps.
They will also be helped by the return of Cunningham after missing most of last season with a shin injury. The 2021 No. 1 overall pick had an outstanding performance in Vegas. He remains the engine of the Pistons. Any improvement next season will start with him. Ivey is excited about the future.
“I think a lot of people are going to be shocked,” Ivey said. “He had a special season this season for us. We are riding on his coattail, trying to feed him. He gave us a certain energy that we needed to get this team going, and he brought that from Day 1 that he was here, the day he was drafted he brought that for us. We want to continue to ride for him and feed him. “
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa.
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