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@KuKhahil • 19,034 subscribers

•Host @lockedonpistons •Substack: https://t.co/qkVZDPKq2I •[email protected] 🇬🇭🇱🇧 10/1/22💍

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Yeah bro standing dunks must be broken, I legit can’t activate a standing dunk

Yeah bro standing dunks must be broken, I legit can’t activate a standing dunk

239,175 views

“I fuck with Locked On Pistons too, man”

“I fuck with Locked On Pistons too, man”

1,571,065 views

Here are much better clips of what happened on the play involving Ausar and his benching

Here are much better clips of what happened on the play involving Ausar and his benching

165,930 views

Mitchell falls down, pulls Cade down and grabs his jersey, no foul is called

Mitchell falls down, pulls Cade down and grabs his jersey, no foul is called

63,807 views

Instead of just talking about it, I wanted to go through it and really break it down to figure out the exact reason for the difference in Jalen Duren's play between the regular season and the playoffs. *LONG BREAKDOWN COMING* First, lets list how much the difference was: Iso in RS: 82nd %ile Iso in PS: 21st %ile Post-ups in RS: 88th %ile Post-ups in PS: 59th %ile PPP on drives in RS: 1.18 ppp PPP on drives in PS: 0.80 Layups in RS: 79th %ile Layups in PS: 19th %ile It was a staggering drop off. Shocking to many of us who watched him all season. So, what happened? Well, #1 I think mentally he was letting his struggles get to him and he started to play out of control. Something that suggests this to me is this stat: He started to figure some things out himself in isolation over the last 2 games against the Cavs. He had six isolation possessions in the final two games against the Cavs; he scored on five of those possessions and drew a foul on the other. Game 6 he started to look confident and really made them pay out of isolation. I really think a ton of it was he got hit with a punch early against ORL and really struggled to handle the pressure and struggles after, and just kept stacking and stacking. So, him being in his own head is #1 for me. #2: His handle got exposed quite a bit. In the regular season, he only had a 4.2 TO% in isolation, which is incredible. In the playoffs, though, that spiked to 20 TO%. On drives in the RS, he had a TO% of 4%. In the PS, it jumped to 13.3%. The first clip below shows how the right-to-left cross he loved doing all season was really taken away from him. Too loose of a handle, and he often got his pocket picked trying this exact move over and over. I think having his go-to move taken from him shook him a bit and left him scrambling a bit in his head to find a counter. The second clip shows, imo, him starting to lose trust in his handle. He immediately turns his back to the defender, which is what you do when you're worried about losing the ball. But, even then, he loses control of the handle and it ends up in a turnover. If I'm the Pistons, I'm showing all his turnovers due to his handle and working with him on tightening his handle and also helping him get comfortable with a counter/second move so defenders don't just sit on the right-to-left cross. #3: I think he really struggled to adjust to the playoff whistle. In the regular season, he drew free throws on 21% of his isolations and 31% of his post-ups. In the PS, it dropped to 14% and 11%, respectively. There were many possessions where in the RS he would've got free throws, but did not in the PS and he was frustrated. In the third clip, you'll see how physical he was being played by Mobley (which we all want physicality in the game). But, in the RS, he probably is getting FTA's here. There are many examples of this where it felt like a lot of his value during the RS was being able to draw FTA's on his drives, and in the PS, refs just allowed more physicality, and he struggled to deal with it. #4: Ausar-Duren duo. I believe in this duo, and I do not think this was the main reason Duren struggled. However, I am not blind to the fact that there were obviously some possessions that hurt Duren. In the regular season, Duen actually got less efficient when Ausar wasn't on the floor. However, in the playoffs, Duren went from 51 TS% with Ausar on the floor (302 minutes) to 64 TS% with Ausar off the floor (121 minutes). In the 4th clip, you really see how the lack of spacing caused a tough shot from Duren. He gets a step on WCJ going right, and probably would prefer to then just use his strength to create spearation. However, he sees Suggs sitting in the right gap off of Ausar, which forces him to spin left. Once he spins left, Paolo is completely leaving Tobias open. This is one of the reasons I really think DET needs a spacing 4 because this should be an easy kickout from Duren to a shooter. He still should've made this pass to Tobias, but a legit shooting 4 I think would relocate to the corner and make an easier outlet/easier to see for Duren. But, he still coulda made the pass, tbf. Either way, you see how the lack of spacing from both Ausar and Tobias forced Duren into a really awkward drive where he was forced into an extremely tough shot. I think if the passing returned from Duren, some of these situations wouldn't happen. Hitting Ausar early as he cuts into the space would work, or hitting Tobias (who again shoulda be making himself more available) beyond the arc results in better offense. But, also, having better spacing probably allows Duren to just get to his original move once he beats WCJ off the dribble. and lastly #5: He really just didn't play well. I can't include any more clips (I'll put some in the immediate thread reply to display), but he really just didn't play well. Missed *a lot* of looks we're used to him making. His touch around the rim left him, looked like he really felt rushed in the paint. He was struggling to secure rebounds after dominating the glass all season (during the RS, he averaged 4.3 second chance points a game, in the PS it dropped to 2.3). During RS, he had a 22.0 DREB%, which dropped to 16.0% in the playoffs. So, I think a lot of factors played into why he struggled so much in the playoffs. My takeaway is I don't think these things are unfixable; actually, I think they're very fixable. Experience of dealing with what playoff physicality is I think is going to help moving forward. All young players have to adjust to that--I think Cade really learned that from NY series to this playoff run. Tightening his handle and just having a second move to go to is not something that should be considered impossible. I'd like to believe it's pretty likely with how much he works and the raw skill he already has with his handle. Pistons adding a legit spacer at the four I think solves a lot and will make Duren's life a lot easier. The most concerning part is mental. And we won't know an answer to that until the next playoffs. Did this experience help him on his journey towards becoming mentally strong and prepared enough to move forward? Did this run help him find a routine that helps him lock in mentally, as many players have said they had to discover? Or will the pressure from struggling last postseason get to him this upcoming postseason? Will he let mistakes get into his head, compound them, and start playing rashly? I don't think the second option will be the case, but no one will know until the next postseason. Honestly, I'm more concerned and critical of his defense in the playoffs (which at times was pretty good and at other times was an incredible struggle), but that would require its own thread. My ending thoughts: I still very much believe in Duren. This playoff run showed he has areas he must sharpen up and learn from, but at 22 that shouldn't be a shocker. He is incredibly talented and made a large jump during the RS. The PS posed challenges he didn't quite have answers to yet. But another run of experience, another offseason of training, and another year older should lead him down a good path. I am fully supportive of paying Duren and extending him. I am not at close to 50 million dollars. 35-40 million is where I think they'll settle on, and I'm fine with that. But, he's gotta learn from these playoffs! Every offseason he's gotten better, I don't have a reason to believe Jalen Duren won't learn and improve again this summer. He's only 22.

Instead of just talking about it, I wanted to go through it and really break it down to figure out the exact reason for the difference in Jalen Duren's play between the regular season and the playoffs. *LONG BREAKDOWN COMING* First, lets list how much the difference was: Iso in RS: 82nd %ile Iso in PS: 21st %ile Post-ups in RS: 88th %ile Post-ups in PS: 59th %ile PPP on drives in RS: 1.18 ppp PPP on drives in PS: 0.80 Layups in RS: 79th %ile Layups in PS: 19th %ile It was a staggering drop off. Shocking to many of us who watched him all season. So, what happened? Well, #1 I think mentally he was letting his struggles get to him and he started to play out of control. Something that suggests this to me is this stat: He started to figure some things out himself in isolation over the last 2 games against the Cavs. He had six isolation possessions in the final two games against the Cavs; he scored on five of those possessions and drew a foul on the other. Game 6 he started to look confident and really made them pay out of isolation. I really think a ton of it was he got hit with a punch early against ORL and really struggled to handle the pressure and struggles after, and just kept stacking and stacking. So, him being in his own head is #1 for me. #2: His handle got exposed quite a bit. In the regular season, he only had a 4.2 TO% in isolation, which is incredible. In the playoffs, though, that spiked to 20 TO%. On drives in the RS, he had a TO% of 4%. In the PS, it jumped to 13.3%. The first clip below shows how the right-to-left cross he loved doing all season was really taken away from him. Too loose of a handle, and he often got his pocket picked trying this exact move over and over. I think having his go-to move taken from him shook him a bit and left him scrambling a bit in his head to find a counter. The second clip shows, imo, him starting to lose trust in his handle. He immediately turns his back to the defender, which is what you do when you're worried about losing the ball. But, even then, he loses control of the handle and it ends up in a turnover. If I'm the Pistons, I'm showing all his turnovers due to his handle and working with him on tightening his handle and also helping him get comfortable with a counter/second move so defenders don't just sit on the right-to-left cross. #3: I think he really struggled to adjust to the playoff whistle. In the regular season, he drew free throws on 21% of his isolations and 31% of his post-ups. In the PS, it dropped to 14% and 11%, respectively. There were many possessions where in the RS he would've got free throws, but did not in the PS and he was frustrated. In the third clip, you'll see how physical he was being played by Mobley (which we all want physicality in the game). But, in the RS, he probably is getting FTA's here. There are many examples of this where it felt like a lot of his value during the RS was being able to draw FTA's on his drives, and in the PS, refs just allowed more physicality, and he struggled to deal with it. #4: Ausar-Duren duo. I believe in this duo, and I do not think this was the main reason Duren struggled. However, I am not blind to the fact that there were obviously some possessions that hurt Duren. In the regular season, Duen actually got less efficient when Ausar wasn't on the floor. However, in the playoffs, Duren went from 51 TS% with Ausar on the floor (302 minutes) to 64 TS% with Ausar off the floor (121 minutes). In the 4th clip, you really see how the lack of spacing caused a tough shot from Duren. He gets a step on WCJ going right, and probably would prefer to then just use his strength to create spearation. However, he sees Suggs sitting in the right gap off of Ausar, which forces him to spin left. Once he spins left, Paolo is completely leaving Tobias open. This is one of the reasons I really think DET needs a spacing 4 because this should be an easy kickout from Duren to a shooter. He still should've made this pass to Tobias, but a legit shooting 4 I think would relocate to the corner and make an easier outlet/easier to see for Duren. But, he still coulda made the pass, tbf. Either way, you see how the lack of spacing from both Ausar and Tobias forced Duren into a really awkward drive where he was forced into an extremely tough shot. I think if the passing returned from Duren, some of these situations wouldn't happen. Hitting Ausar early as he cuts into the space would work, or hitting Tobias (who again shoulda be making himself more available) beyond the arc results in better offense. But, also, having better spacing probably allows Duren to just get to his original move once he beats WCJ off the dribble. and lastly #5: He really just didn't play well. I can't include any more clips (I'll put some in the immediate thread reply to display), but he really just didn't play well. Missed *a lot* of looks we're used to him making. His touch around the rim left him, looked like he really felt rushed in the paint. He was struggling to secure rebounds after dominating the glass all season (during the RS, he averaged 4.3 second chance points a game, in the PS it dropped to 2.3). During RS, he had a 22.0 DREB%, which dropped to 16.0% in the playoffs. So, I think a lot of factors played into why he struggled so much in the playoffs. My takeaway is I don't think these things are unfixable; actually, I think they're very fixable. Experience of dealing with what playoff physicality is I think is going to help moving forward. All young players have to adjust to that--I think Cade really learned that from NY series to this playoff run. Tightening his handle and just having a second move to go to is not something that should be considered impossible. I'd like to believe it's pretty likely with how much he works and the raw skill he already has with his handle. Pistons adding a legit spacer at the four I think solves a lot and will make Duren's life a lot easier. The most concerning part is mental. And we won't know an answer to that until the next playoffs. Did this experience help him on his journey towards becoming mentally strong and prepared enough to move forward? Did this run help him find a routine that helps him lock in mentally, as many players have said they had to discover? Or will the pressure from struggling last postseason get to him this upcoming postseason? Will he let mistakes get into his head, compound them, and start playing rashly? I don't think the second option will be the case, but no one will know until the next postseason. Honestly, I'm more concerned and critical of his defense in the playoffs (which at times was pretty good and at other times was an incredible struggle), but that would require its own thread. My ending thoughts: I still very much believe in Duren. This playoff run showed he has areas he must sharpen up and learn from, but at 22 that shouldn't be a shocker. He is incredibly talented and made a large jump during the RS. The PS posed challenges he didn't quite have answers to yet. But another run of experience, another offseason of training, and another year older should lead him down a good path. I am fully supportive of paying Duren and extending him. I am not at close to 50 million dollars. 35-40 million is where I think they'll settle on, and I'm fine with that. But, he's gotta learn from these playoffs! Every offseason he's gotten better, I don't have a reason to believe Jalen Duren won't learn and improve again this summer. He's only 22.

33,635 views

“Natural shooting motion” 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 It’s truly unreal. They should be calling flopping technicals on him ever time.

“Natural shooting motion” 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 It’s truly unreal. They should be calling flopping technicals on him ever time.

47,738 views

I now realize that people would call me a flopper because I fall down, newsflash to people who pick up a basketball: if you use all your momentum to create a shot and your airborn, it’s much easier and safer to just fall rather than try and land to catch yourself

I now realize that people would call me a flopper because I fall down, newsflash to people who pick up a basketball: if you use all your momentum to create a shot and your airborn, it’s much easier and safer to just fall rather than try and land to catch yourself

28,304 views

This was the second possession (according to Synergy). If this is something the Pistons can no longer trust, I mean, they just have no chance at winning. This has been automatic layups or dunks for two years. Duren has to finish this.

This was the second possession (according to Synergy). If this is something the Pistons can no longer trust, I mean, they just have no chance at winning. This has been automatic layups or dunks for two years. Duren has to finish this.

19,739 views

How you take advantage of the gravity created by the "roam off Ausar" defense. Give credit to JB, but just as much credit to Cade for adjusting to it and making the second read quickly to chase the ball. Cade kicks out to Ausar. You see, Mobley ain't moving because he's not scared of him shooting. This leaves him way too far away to contest the DHO 3, causing him to panic and close out. Ausar reads and slips the screen, Cade great pass to rolling Ausar, poster attempt.

How you take advantage of the gravity created by the "roam off Ausar" defense. Give credit to JB, but just as much credit to Cade for adjusting to it and making the second read quickly to chase the ball. Cade kicks out to Ausar. You see, Mobley ain't moving because he's not scared of him shooting. This leaves him way too far away to contest the DHO 3, causing him to panic and close out. Ausar reads and slips the screen, Cade great pass to rolling Ausar, poster attempt.

19,246 views

Must win game 4 today @ Pistons:

Must win game 4 today @ Pistons:

19,815 views

Another open three given up by Detroit where there was no advantage created by Orlando. Wagner wants the Huerter switch, but denies the screen and drives on Stew. Stew stays with him and forces what would been a euro-step floater from 15ft out. No advantage created. For some reason (???), though, Green just leaves Cain and.. I guess stunts at Wagner from the weakside corner? Tobias has Goga taken away. There's no other outlet for a pass. And for some reason, Green just gives ORL another advantage they didn't even create for an open three. We're now at four threes given up without ORL even working for it.

Another open three given up by Detroit where there was no advantage created by Orlando. Wagner wants the Huerter switch, but denies the screen and drives on Stew. Stew stays with him and forces what would been a euro-step floater from 15ft out. No advantage created. For some reason (???), though, Green just leaves Cain and.. I guess stunts at Wagner from the weakside corner? Tobias has Goga taken away. There's no other outlet for a pass. And for some reason, Green just gives ORL another advantage they didn't even create for an open three. We're now at four threes given up without ORL even working for it.

17,247 views

Which of these shots are we supposed to be blaming Cade for not trying to shoot over a double team? His teammates gotta hit shots, man. The Cavs were legit conceding a 4on3 every possession.

Which of these shots are we supposed to be blaming Cade for not trying to shoot over a double team? His teammates gotta hit shots, man. The Cavs were legit conceding a 4on3 every possession.

10,851 views

Jalen Duren the 35% three-point shooter OTW

Jalen Duren the 35% three-point shooter OTW

16,213 views

I’m really like that fr

I’m really like that fr

13,620 views

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The ESPN broadcast tuned out the crowd noise, I promise you guys watching at home that the arena was deafening after this Ausar dunk. They didn’t accurately show how loud it was in that third quarter on the broadcast.
0:22
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The ESPN broadcast tuned out the crowd noise, I promise you guys watching at home that the arena was deafening after this Ausar dunk. They didn’t accurately show how loud it was in that third quarter on the broadcast.

Ku 🦉

147,390 views • 4 months ago

Here are much better clips of what happened on the play involving Ausar and his benching
0:11
KuKhahil's profile picture

Here are much better clips of what happened on the play involving Ausar and his benching

Ku 🦉

165,930 views • 6 months ago

Ausar Thompson jumpshot from his rookie season vs. his jumpshot by the end of this past season Thoughts?
0:29
KuKhahil's profile picture

Ausar Thompson jumpshot from his rookie season vs. his jumpshot by the end of this past season Thoughts?

Ku 🦉

37,367 views • 1 month ago

I miss the old JD, the short roll passer JD, right decision maker JD, the good passer JD I hate the new JD, the only scorer JD, the no more short roll passer JD, the "I'm a scorer" JD
0:50
KuKhahil's profile picture

I miss the old JD, the short roll passer JD, right decision maker JD, the good passer JD I hate the new JD, the only scorer JD, the no more short roll passer JD, the "I'm a scorer" JD

Ku 🦉

56,898 views • 3 months ago

Would Zach LaVine be a low-cost, low-risk move you'd understand Trajan Langdon making for the Detroit Pistons?
1:47
KuKhahil's profile picture

Would Zach LaVine be a low-cost, low-risk move you'd understand Trajan Langdon making for the Detroit Pistons?

Ku 🦉

41,577 views • 2 months ago

ausar passing out of a lob to a trailing duren, ok just unfair bro
0:30
KuKhahil's profile picture

ausar passing out of a lob to a trailing duren, ok just unfair bro

Ku 🦉

165,701 views • 1 year ago

*IF* signing Jalen Duren is the final move of the Pistons' offseason, this is where I stand on this offseason's process and if Trajan Langdon made the right decisions.
1:17
KuKhahil's profile picture

*IF* signing Jalen Duren is the final move of the Pistons' offseason, this is where I stand on this offseason's process and if Trajan Langdon made the right decisions.

Ku 🦉

19,585 views • 1 month ago

Does this make those who are worried about Jalen Duren feel any better about his potential contract this summer?
1:18
KuKhahil's profile picture

Does this make those who are worried about Jalen Duren feel any better about his potential contract this summer?

Ku 🦉

22,647 views • 2 months ago

“I got chills” Cade talking about seeing the Tigers clinch the playoffs and see the city support them. Said he will be “the head of the snake” that brings the Pistons back.
0:32
KuKhahil's profile picture

“I got chills” Cade talking about seeing the Tigers clinch the playoffs and see the city support them. Said he will be “the head of the snake” that brings the Pistons back.

Ku 🦉

106,520 views • 1 year ago

Perhaps the greatest intro in Locked On Podcast history, if you ask me. I'm a man of my word🫡
1:29
KuKhahil's profile picture

Perhaps the greatest intro in Locked On Podcast history, if you ask me. I'm a man of my word🫡

Ku 🦉

25,292 views • 4 months ago

Brian Windhorst on the Detroit Pistons heading into the trade deadline: “After talking to people throughout the league, their (Pistons) thought process is morphing a little bit.”
0:38
KuKhahil's profile picture

Brian Windhorst on the Detroit Pistons heading into the trade deadline: “After talking to people throughout the league, their (Pistons) thought process is morphing a little bit.”

Ku

79,620 views • 1 year ago

Pistons loss aside, this was nuts to see in person lol Just crazy as hell to see in person.
2:26
KuKhahil's profile picture

Pistons loss aside, this was nuts to see in person lol Just crazy as hell to see in person.

Ku

29,871 views • 6 months ago

What you know about being a 5’9” Ron holland in transition in HS
0:53
KuKhahil's profile picture

What you know about being a 5’9” Ron holland in transition in HS

Ku 🦉

64,303 views • 1 year ago

Would you give up real assets to make Jabari Smith Jr. the Pistons' starting four? Matt and I think he's certainly someone on the list of guys to consider!
0:57
KuKhahil's profile picture

Would you give up real assets to make Jabari Smith Jr. the Pistons' starting four? Matt and I think he's certainly someone on the list of guys to consider!

Ku 🦉

14,017 views • 2 months ago

CADE CUNNINGHAM ON NATIONAL TELEVISION, THEY GON KNOW YOUR NAME!
0:39
KuKhahil's profile picture

CADE CUNNINGHAM ON NATIONAL TELEVISION, THEY GON KNOW YOUR NAME!

Ku

41,933 views • 1 year ago

It’s sad as hell that this is true.
0:42
KuKhahil's profile picture

It’s sad as hell that this is true.

Ku 🦉

14,411 views • 4 months ago

Thank God Ric Bucher is one of the people on national media who’s had enough common sense to comprehend the “well they’re allowing physicality” argument and how idiotic it is to present that argument for why you shouldn’t call a foul on a jump shooter.
1:55
KuKhahil's profile picture

Thank God Ric Bucher is one of the people on national media who’s had enough common sense to comprehend the “well they’re allowing physicality” argument and how idiotic it is to present that argument for why you shouldn’t call a foul on a jump shooter.

Ku 🦉

29,459 views • 1 year ago

Jaden Ivey's last five games of his season: 19.2 points 59.7 FG% 58.3 2pt% 61.5 3pt% (5.2 atts) 73.3 TS% It's a shame we weren't able to find out: was this just a hot streak? Or was Jaden Ivey putting it all together?
2:26
KuKhahil's profile picture

Jaden Ivey's last five games of his season: 19.2 points 59.7 FG% 58.3 2pt% 61.5 3pt% (5.2 atts) 73.3 TS% It's a shame we weren't able to find out: was this just a hot streak? Or was Jaden Ivey putting it all together?

Ku

16,331 views • 1 year ago