Pistons lose heartbreaker to Houston Rockets – Jaden Ivey BEST GAME of Season?!

Pistons lose heartbreaker to Houston Rockets – Jaden Ivey BEST GAME of Season?!

And we are live the Detroit Pistons lose a close one at home to the Houston Rockets after predominantly controlling the entirety of the game they ultimately couldn’t come out and close it in the final couple of minutes Fred Van vet who is arguably the biggest free agent

Acquisition of the last off season for the Houston Rockets that and Dylan Brooks who was not in the game tonight however V van vet very much made his presence known despite you know kind of having a relatively quiet game throughout the entirety of it I mean Detroit All Things Considered had one of

Their better performances of the Season which is why you know it thingss that much more to see it you know go down into like another loss especially when that’s their 36th of the Season especially when you get that good of a performance with Kate Cunningham out of

The line Fred Van vet had 20 points but eight of those points were down the stretch he also had 12 assists uh they showed a statistic where he uh he and Tyrese Maxi are two of the four guards thus far in the last like 20 some years

Or in the history of the league to have 4,000 assists or to have like a four turnover ratio for like a I don’t know what the I’m saying the point is the guy doesn’t turn the ball over and he showed that off tonight he also had some really

Clutch shots all the credit in the world to him but I mean on top of that for the Pistons you know kind of the story of their season it comes down to the things that are on the margins I mean Pistons lost by two they missed six free throws

You can’t shoot 62% from the free throw line when you’re you know when you’re trying to win in the NBA especially when you only get 16 opportunities and you only make 10 of them they went 12 of 35 from three they did shoot better than Houston tonight who you know did

Struggle All Things Considered I mean Jaylen green um did not have his greatest performance he had 28 points on 25 shots predominantly a lot of his offense really came from getting get to the free throw line and getting a lot of his opportunities that way uh but you

Know all things considered like the Pistons actually had a lot of really good contributions across the board tonight I mean Isaiah Stewart came back and this was his first game you know in the rotation since you know being out with that toe injury and he looked like

He didn’t really miss any time at all in fact like his jump shot actually was looking really good he had good overall touch he actually scored from like all three levels tonight which is like oh hey Isaiah Stewart where’s this guy been that’s that’s pretty cool definitely definitely can’t say that he doesn’t

Have a positive impact on the team when he’s on the court I mean the guy could play the guy could play basketball Jaylen durren overall had a really good night but crucially made some pretty big mistakes down the stretch namely that drive early in the shot clock when

Detroit was up by two when they could have made the they could have made it a two-possession game but instead they Duren goes makes that drive ultimately misses Fred Van vet brings it back down the court it’s the three Houston gets the lead rest is history boom goes the

Dynamite and it’s just it’s just again it’s just a shame because it wastes a lot of good performances another guy you know who came in and has been playing really well for this team All Season man is Kevin Knox it’s it’s surprising that he wasn’t on an NBA roster at the

Beginning of this season that he was someone that was just available as a free agent obviously you know he had his stint previously last year in Detroit for about the first half of the Season before he was ultimately traded to Portland but you know he he’s really maximized this opportunity this time

Around and you know there’s been a lot of chatter I saw kah Hill talk about you know like should like you know should he be in the NBA like Beyond this season I think the answer is like absolutely especially if he continues to show this Improvement you know like with his

Shooting touch I mean he was sh two for four from the from three toight he was seven of nine from the field overall when when Kevin Knox is confident you know scoring from the field and that’s very much his job when he is on the court is to create offense for this team

He does it at a pretty good level and you know I overall like you you you have to be pretty impressed with what you saw Jaden ivy again like he didn’t shoot the greatest from the field tonight you know like struggled from Beyond The Arc but

There’s a lot to like about his game especially his aggression you know his his driving to the Lane that ferocious dunk that he had on Alper and senon but on top of that you know his 18 points his eight assists you know how effective he was as a primary ball handler tonight

Another guy who was really effective with the ball in his hands tonight as well was Marcus Sasser he came in he had seven assists of his own he didn’t score but he was really effective at running the offense I mean he actually came in and like as far as like setting the

Table especially for like a rookie guard I’d say that’s about as as good as you can do in that situation all things considered and you know it’s going to be interesting to see how that develops I mean assar Thompson you know would still love to see him get more than 18 minutes

But in those 18 minutes he was really effective in particular looked really good in the pick and roll with Marcus Sasser that’s really where you know assar did a lot of his work offensively and made some plays defensively tonight as well even though it doesn’t quite

Show up box score he still was you know pretty effective when he’s on the court and they still need to find ways you know to get him more minutes as well and you look you look at the box score and it’s like you know yeah like Detroit you

Know they they they need to be better with turning the ball over they they only had tonight but the turnovers that they had they were costly ones look at the you know you look at the margin and you look at where this team needs to get

Better better again it needs to be at the free throw line one major area that you know that is that is something that’s noticeable with Jay Ivy’s game in particular is his struggles at the free throw line I mean Jaden Ivy was one of four from the three throw line tonight I

Me you talk about the thin margin of error here I mean they lost by two points that’s that’s three points they can get back right there right you those those are those are the the little minutia minor differences when it comes to uh winning an NBA basketball game

Making your free throws is a pretty major one because those they they call it the charity strike for a reason Maurice that is exactly the way to put it and I think that’s I think that’s the way that the season is ultimately going to be remembered at the end and I mean

That’s the tough thing you talk about I mean basketball it’s a game of in it’s a thin margin we could we were a a rim out away from talking about a Pistons win an insane game winner how they almost fumbled the win at the end but overall they controlled the vast majority of

This game which they did but again when you come out and you make those minor mistakes you you fumble it in those last couple of minutes you know that’s what happens and that the the Pistons showed their youth in the final couple of minutes and listen I know people don’t

Want to say it especially because all the comparisons that that that we’ve had between the two franchises but like you got to give the Rockets to credit man they they they they have a lot to be excited about as far as you know the future of their franchise I mean Alper

And senon is is Sensational he had 29 Points 12 of 19 from the field his touch around the rim is insane I thought Jaylen Duran played him relatively well as as well as you you know probably can honestly but in the same light I mean you know shenon he looks like a mixture

Of like a yic and Dirk nitzki to me I mean he’s got that touch around the rim like yic and has that you know ability to to play make but also that that difficulty to move him from his spots but he also kind of has that funkiness

In his game of Dirk where he can kind of have those leaner you know like Fade Away shots he can kind of have those leaners by the basket you know he he has like a unique uh ability to his game so the baby yic comparisons are definitely

Appro but I mean he he he’s also looking like his own man too and I’m I’m excited to see you know like the the the progression to where alperin shingun could ultimately take you know the the the progression of his game because there’s there’s really a lot to like

There but I get it man I mean yeah we’re bad you know just I and I get making it mad can’t win it just win another game we need to make a move at the trade deadline I totally agree with you and I think the Pistons agree as well I think

They have been in in trying to make moves trying to make phone calls trying to get in contact with other teams and and who’s available and I think what you’ve been seeing over the last couple of days is you’ve been seeing a lot of teams starting to show interest in

Making trades and and starting to discuss the players that are going to be on the market and going to be available looks like Brooklyn’s going to have multiple players that are available from everything I’ve hear I’ve heard regarding you know the Atlanta Hawks and from everything we’re seeing with

Reports it looks like the jonte Murray’s definitely available it looks like a lot of players in Atlanta are going to be available for trade you know they’re definitely going to be making some form of move and tonight they weren’t looking so great either so I’m definitely not super optimistic about their overall

Direction I mean looking at Atlanta tonight yeah they lost by 18 at home to the Pacers so Vibes are not exactly great in Atlanta either the Knicks I saw a report earlier today that Detroit was potentially in in heavy trade talks with the Knicks which if that’s the case that

Would be interesting if the business could possibly get their pick back in a boon trade or get some more assets to possibly use in order to you know possibly get more assets possibly you know get a guy like Evan forier who’s like an expiring contract who can maybe

Come in and and be a shooting presence for you that’s something that maybe makes some form of sense but again you know Chuck says it it takes two teams to trade the 15th um everybody’s available that is correct so uh the December 15th was when uh the vast maj majority of

Contracts that were signed through the offseason were available to be traded but the January 15th deadline is when the rest of those contracts are available to be traded as well but on top of that teams really like to take their sweet time and they like to move

Really up till that deadline of February 8th I’m not saying it’s going to be until then till the Pistons make a trade but I definitely think now especially to Chuck’s point after that 15th deadline is when you’re going to see more action going to see more discussion because

Things are going to be more open and available and again like the reason why it’s taken until now especially with how many teams are competitive how many teams are unlike the Pistons winning games right now you know like you have a lot of teams that especially like

January is really when you know you get through that first initial L of the season in particular here for you know this season you’re done with the inseason tournament you get through the holidays you’re about you’re about halfway through the season right now like teams are are getting about to the

40 41 game Mark in an 82 Game season so you’re about halfway you’re you’re you’re just about getting to the point where you have a pretty good idea of who you are and what your team has become and I mean let’s be honest the Pistons have realized that through the first 37

Or 38 games they have been the worst team in the history of basketball statistically that is what it shows and so obviously they’re going to be the they’re going to be the first team that wants to make a move but teams like Brooklyn teams like Atlanta that are

Kind of in that mix to be in the playin tournament that could potentially you know just that they could maybe make a play you know to be in the playoffs because you know here here’s what every play in team’s going to be doing now for the next few years just let you know

Because the Miami Heat went and made that Miracle run to the finals even the Bulls tried to trick themselves over this offseason saying oh well we just saw the Miami Heat go make the finals run maybe we were one play away from doing it no you weren’t but keep telling

Yourself that anyway a lot of teams are going to maybe be telling themselves that as well the Brooklyn Nets are definitely a team you know after the you know pathetic display that they showed against the Pistons in the midst of their long losing streak where they you

Know played the Pistons like it was a playoff game and then the next night load managed against the Milwaukee Bucks at home ever since that incident they’ve kind of Fallen apart the Atlanta Hawks have really F Fallen apart the Raptors are finally starting to make a decision on what direction they’re ultimately

Going to want to go Washington still has pieces that they could trade as well the Warriors are a team that are starting to really the figure out who they are all the trials and tribulations they’re going in not just the Draymond situation but the the Jonathan kaminga and the

Most as Moody Dynamic that’s going on there Portland is really starting to fall apart over the last couple of days I mean they literally just lost by 60 to the 76ers last night and Scoot Henderson had like the lowest plus minus in a game in in the history of of the league which

Listen I still believe in scoot Henderson but I I feel for chony on that one that that has to be difficult and I saw as of right now they’re playing I believe that they’re playing right now oh man they are down by 32 to the Minnesota Timberwolves

So not not great couple nights if you’re a Portland Trailblazers fan it’s been a rough year if you’re a Pistons fan but tonight it it could be worse it could be worse but nonetheless all all that to say I think the the the field of who’s

Going to want to make moves is becoming much more clear and in addition you’re starting to see especially I think this is going to be one of the more active deadlines that we’ve seen in the last couple of years because of the fact that you’re seeing so many teams reportedly

Starting to have interest in making moves I think you saw over the last couple of years outside of some you know pretty Hallmark moves you know featuring like James Harden a couple years ago and then you know last year I forgot what the big uh move at the deadline was but

Oh Kevin rant duh but you know overall like this year I don’t know if you’re going to see like the Blockbuster of that ilk of player being traded I mean you could definitely see Pascal seaka dejonte Murray seems like he’s going to be traded so there’s definitely going to

Be big move names that are moved but at the same time I still think that there’s a lot to uh that there’s a lot to like ouch postgame questions about iy Chuck um could you clarify on what that means um I’m going to see um what he

What he’s trying to say here but I’m not seeing anything as the and it looks like Monty uh Williams on Ivy as a lead ball handle I give him a small package to utiliz as lead ball handler I think he can grow in that environment so I mean there that’s

Definitely fair you know there’s definitely a lot to say as far as like his ability to grow um but ultimately at the same time I do think there’s a lot to like well with what he did I think the biggest thing with Jaden Ivy’s game

Is he he does play with like an elite level of speed but at the same time uh Williams said there was a big organizational meeting yesterday and one thing that was pointed out to Williams was Ivy as Elite ball handler hasn’t happen much and that is true that is

Absolutely right and I think you know when you look at one thing that um that that the Pistons do have to that that the Pistons do have to look at is how they can more dynamically utilize a ivy alongside K Cunningham and you know absolutely like and and you know what

Props for Monty to openly like openly admitting this and open openly like taking the the the claim to say hey that’s on me I have to eat it I have to be better in that department and I think you’re seeing when Jaden Ivy does have

The ball in his hands when he does have the opportunity to be the primary ball handler I think the team is better for it and I think one thing that you can do I know uh Eddie says Jaden ivy should be starting over killi and Jaden Ivy uh did

He did start alongside Killian but to your point Eddie I do think that especially when you’re looking at a lot of those units where Killian Hayes is running like the second unit you know offensively I think there’s a lot of opportunity for Jaden I to be the primary ball handler with the second

Unit to have more opportunity you know to to initiate more offense for himself if Kate’s on the bench I really think that you know that is something that is a big opportunity because a lot of times you find that when that bench unit is out there you know you find that that

Ivy really is with just with the starters but I think ultimately like if you allow him to be that primary ball hander with the secondary unit I think that’s something that could be super beneficial I also think if you do move on from killing in that would allow you

To play more with assar as the primary ball handler with that second unit as well which I potentially think could be pretty beneficial too to switch him both both you know I think assar is a guy that you know can play both as as the

You know as as the initiator and the and the rle man as far as the pick and roll goes and so you know to be able to utilize more of that and to put him in more situations where you can utilize his playmaking but also to surround him

More with shooting so doesn’t have to be put in more uncomfortable situations is something I think would help him as listen I think I think Killian overall like what relatively had one of his better games you know tonight but at the same light I I think generally we we

Know who Killian Hayes is at this point and I’m not sure if there is going to be a move made at the deadline I know that he did say a few days ago that he would love to be in Detroit and I’m sure that there would realistically be a really

Affordable contract to be able to bring him back on but with the deadline looming but on top of that supposedly with the the return of Monte Morris looming as well coming back to the rotation that kind of makes you question where you know where Killian Hayes’s

Role is ultimately going to be and you know who’s really going to be here you know beyond then as well a guy that did get some minutes tonight that that definitely was welcomed and you know showed perhaps why he should be getting more of those minutes in the first place

Was Marvin baggley obviously you know with Isaiah Stewart back in the lineup they were allowed to play more with uh with Isaiah Stewart as a big as kind of the secondary big which allowed them to bring in Mar Bagley Off the Bench not necessarily have to be that that defensive big for

Them but to really utilize his strength on the offensive end and I mean in 12 minutes Marvin Bagley definitely was more St steady than James Gman has in at that spot obviously James wisman tonight got his first DN in a while you know they experimented with him being in the

Rotation and even though there were some moments where he was actually playing not too bad of basketball he had some stretches where he was starting to improve I do openly think something that they were that they were just not enough on the you know him continuing

To to have that spot so ultimately you know obviously this is going to be a game that that’s really difficult and you know especially you look at a team that’s you know now three and 37 they have had a really difficult time with winning games this season and they have

Had good performances having a difficult time with actually closing out and and maximizing those performances and with kind of tonight being one of those things where it just kind of happens again you know it’s it’s just unfortunate but at the same time I still think that you

Know with with guys you you look at the Silver Linings and they still are you know the the likes of jayen Ivy and and when when Kade Cunningham gets back eight as well Jaylen durren overall I still think he had a really good game tonight but again those those mistakes

Those mental errors along uh down the stretch were definitely you know we definitely a thing audio issues oh never mind I’m good okay jenon is nice he he he flat out is man I mean he he can really play his his improvement over the last couple of

Years has been remarkable I still think that he can kind of be a little bit I still think he can flop a little bit too much for my liking I mean maybe that’s just me kind of being nitpicky here but in the same light I mean he’s definitely improved significantly on the defensive

End the Rockets are definitely more Dynamic when they run the offense through him but at the same time like I I just I have nothing but like positive things to say about Al Shun in development I’m really excited to see you know what direction he take it Monty

Morris for a vet point guard All Season would have helped so far uh so far greatly too the vets that were supposed to help this team have been a total failure this year 100% I I was really hoping that Joe Harris was going to be someone that could at least get some

Consistent minutes and be like like a like a reliable shot maker for them I think boan in the minutes that he’s actually played has been really good but I was actually doing a pod earlier today with Bry Simon which I’m actually gon to release over the weekend uh where we

Talked about you know some of this as well and it’s like Boon’s playing really well but it’s just you know a lot of guys are are being asked to play roles that they just shouldn’t necessarily being asked to play at this point in their careers I mean Boon is 35 years

Old so to go and and have to you know a lot of times defend some of their best way and you know have to not make many errors in order to keep the Pistons in games also be you know primary secondary or tertiary option on the offensive end

As well you know for a 35y old guy with limited athleticism that’s a pretty difficult role for him to play so you know that that’s where you you wonder what type of moves they could maybe address at the at the trade deadline you know I personally you know names I’m

Curious to see if they’re going to go after I mean you know knowing knowing the what the moves that Troy Weaver’s made in the past part of you wonders if he’s going to go to a golden state and look at a Jonathan kaminga an Andrew

Wiggins or a Moses Moody but at the same time you also wonder if you know they’re just going to steer clear of some of those players that could be associated with the type of a Reclamation project of the Pistons have had in the past especially if you look at the fact that

You know the Pistons need proven players who can come in and help them win now and as good as Jonathan kaminga can be as much of an upside as he has with his with his athleticism I just don’t know if that’s ultimately the direction they now a

Moses Moody a guy who can you know hit shots and play on the defensive side of the ball wouldn’t necessarily be super expensive to keep I mean that might be an interesting Avenue to to go down as well but at the same time I mean there’s definitely options I know I know one

Thing for sure I would definitely not want Andrew Wiggins just because a a unmotivated Andrew Wiggins is a player that you want under your books especially with the contract that he has currently and I just don’t know if we’re going to be seeing that same Andrew Wiggins that won an NBA championship

Again especially if you think about the fact that he was doing that in a contract year and I don’t know what happened to Andrew Wiggins there was that pretty significant absence that he had last season and I hope he’s okay I hope whatever happened with his family I

Hope all is well but he just has not been the same player ever since he’s come back from that I definitely don’t foresee the Pistons is going after a Klay Thompson I don’t I don’t foresee a Draymond Green I don’t think that makes sense either and even then I don’t think

Draymond Green has much of any trade value right now in the first place uh I know Pascal SE yakum is a guy that continues to be in conversations for the Pistons I know it’s someone that they’re interested in going after in the off season but I I personally would question

The uh the the risk of trading young assets for a player that could potentially walk and in the offseason it the risk of giving up young players that could potentially really help you down the road and I know that the I know that the core hasn’t fit together right now I know they’re

Eventually going to have to split it up at some point it’s just the question of is that the move is that the place to make it I know I saw the Hoops hype podcast with um the Hoops hype podcast with Bobby Mar Bobby marks and I forgot who

The senior Insider is over at hoopy I saw they called that the Blake Griffin 2.0 contract which I absolutely can’t disagree with and Chuck I mean I guess we did fix San Antonio but at the same time they are also going up against the the Charlotte Hornet

So do with that with what you will um and Eddie said I agreed tonight made me realize how did decent the Pistons could be defensively without giving Boon so many minutes I also think tonight shows you like how good they can be defensively if uh if Jaylen durren

And Isaiah Stewart are both playing to their potential on that end as well like when the Pistons were playing their best basketball it was when Jaylen durren was dominating at the beginning of this season it was when he was looking like a little bam out of Bio at the start of

The year and I really think you know for this team to take a next step I think a lot of it can come from his development on that end now obviously Jaylen duren’s missed a good amount of this season about a third to almost half of the

Games that the Pistons have had thus far he’s only 20 years old obviously you know you you you expect him to develop and to be able to get to that point and it’s unrealistic to ask a 20-year-old to be bam out of Bio right away but in the

Same light I mean the talent is there also his finishing ability and the the things that he’s been doing with more of the touches on the offensive side of the ball it just makes me excited for what his future is but ultimately the Pistons

Want to get to where they need to get to he needs to get back to that guy on the defensive end he needs to become that player on the defensive end and I I really think Jaylen durren is going to be that type of guy I still have a ton

Of confidence in him and even if he could have like another big next to him like I I I know people you know watch the wimy game and think about like what what it could have been with having him in Detroit but man even having a Jabari

Smith Jr next to Jaylen Duren would be huge even having oh my goodness chat holgren with Jaylen dur in the front Court would be a atrocity for the rest of the league they would be absolutely screwed but I mean that that’s why you see the vision of getting a pascal SE

Yakum type next to Jaylen durren because that could do some damage in the front court that that that makes Giannis not very excited to drive down the paint in Detroit and ultimately I still think you know obviously change is going to be coming at some point and the pressure is

Going to be on for Troy Weaver to make those moves without making too many sacrifices because of the talent that they have but in the same light we still have a couple of weeks till that happens in the meantime on Sunday we have the big game at home in Ford Field first

Playoff game in fordfield history Lions versus Rams Go Lions I’m I’m going to Pretend This is a a Jameson Williams jersey I need to get the tape and and ultimately transform this into a Jameson Williams Jersey especially you know I I I people saw my my whole tiate on

Twitter of oh don’t boo Matthew Stafford and then Kelly Stafford opened her mouth now I’m kind of more okay you know it’s like you know Lions fans do what you got to do you know especially during the game fre Reign absolutely but folks thank you so much for coming as always

Talking basketball tomorrow I think I’m going to release that podcast with Bryce Simon we talked you know quite a bit about what has gone wrong for the Pistons on the basketball side you know schematically things that they can be doing better adjustments that they can

Make but on top of that what we’d like to see them address at the trade deadline what you know what is disjointed about the roster currently you know we have you know tough conversations about Monty Williams Troy Weaver and more so love love Bryce Simon

Of Motor City Hoops shout out to Omari S kof as well got to talk to both of the guys of the Pistons pulse podcast this week that was an absolute blast and I’m telling you man more content going to be coming I I promise to that I just uh you

Know it’s it’s been I’ve been missing really getting back to to doing content and at this point I’m just going to turn on the mic and just it so we’re here man with that thank you so much for listening be sure you’re subscribed for more pistons and NBA content we’ll catch

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