Pistons second-year forward Sekou Doumbouya has earned more playing time in recent games, serving as a key cog in the team’s rotation this past week.
The 20-year-old saw just over 23 minutes of action on Monday, nine minutes on Tuesday, 13 minutes on Thursday, and nearly 23 minutes on Saturday. He finished with 11 points and three rebounds in Saturday’s contest, also recording two steals and two blocks.
“He’s earning it and he’s playing well,” head coach Dwane Casey said, according to Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). “A lot of it is the seriousness of his approach to the game. He’s put in the extra work, and it’s showing.”
The Pistons drafted Doumbouya with the No. 15 pick back in 2019. His role has fluctuated this season, but it’s one that could be worth keeping an eye on as the campaign moves forward.
Here are some other notes from Detroit today:
- Point guard Frank Jackson is finding his groove as a scoring option off the bench, Keith Langlois of NBA.com writes. Jackson scored 17 points in just over 20 minutes on Saturday against Portland, shooting 6-of-9 from the floor. “He’s instant offense off the bench,” Casey said. “He’s one of our best defenders on the ball. That young man is really growing right before us. For me, he’s grown as much as anyone else. Just really impressed with his approach. He stays ready. It’s not easy to come off the bench and score the way he does with ease.”
- Omari Sankofa II examines a number of Pistons-related topics in his latest mailbag, including the return of rookie Killian Hayes (hip). Hayes has only appeared in 11 games this season, averaging 4.9 points per contest on 32% shooting. He made his return against New York last week after missing nearly three months of action.
- Rod Beard of The Detroit News considers which prospect the team should draft if it obtains the No. 2 pick this year. Players such as Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs are all potential options depending on who gets selected with the first pick — which could ultimately wind up with Detroit. The Pistons currently trail the Timberwolves by three games and the Rockets by two games in the NBA’s “reverse standings.”
If I were a reporter, I would start a weekly “tank power ranking”
aaannndddd thank god your not.
*you’re
If you were then you could report how the Wolves just beat Chicago and are now only 1/2 game behind Houston and currently 2.5 games behind Detroit.
Just a friendly reminder …. LeVert tonight
34 pts, %.70 FG, 3PT %.33.3, %100 FT
Would of looked good next to Wall.
And? Would he be any better for Houston than Kevin Porter?
LeVert is averaging 16 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, and shooting 40.6% while Porter is averaging 15 PPG, 4 RPG, 6 APG, and is shooting 42.4% while costing the Rockets essentially nothing in the trade.
Porter isn’t even 21 yet and costs the Rockets just $1.7M/year while LeVert will be 27 next season and makes $17.5M/year so I think Houston did pretty OK if you look at the big picture here.
He’s about three times better than Porter will Ever be. Get real lol. Guy just came back from major operation. Porter might be a rotation guy. LeVert will be an allstar. That’s the big picture. He’s also 26 and better than Oladipo
You’re aware they could have had both. Late first or Levert, I’d take Levert every time. It’s okay, playa’s fk up to.
Oladipo got paid like 7 million a month.
Just admit in hindsight taking Levert would have been better. It’s no big deal.
I agree flipping Lavert was a bad call. Can’t change that now, they took a gamble on Oladipo that didn’t play out. But to say” Lavert is 3x better than KPJ will ever be”. Whatever you’re smoking, I want some. A 21 year old in only his 2nd pretty much is first year as a PG playing probably better than every play in his class, bar Ja, Zion and Maybe RJ. Lavert MAY be an All star. If KPJ keeps going he WILL be. Give a player credit where it’s due. He was an idiot in Cleveland but in Houston he’s looking like a really a good young player who was clearly a gamble that paid off.
Do I need to show you every player in his class. I can handle my Sens. Looks like you on that Nonsense. LeVert is one of biggest SG in league. Caris has 5yrs of starter production ( LOOK IT UP)
He plays good D. And at 26 after a major operation . Is ready to make that next step to allstar. 5 yrs to not even a half a yr of PRODUCTION … yeah 3 times.
Let me change to 5 Times ……. come back in 5 yrs. And if he hasn’t gotten throw out of NBA. You can try again . …….
Porter like you said 1st yr. Is playing 30 mins ?? wow that’s an accomplishment right there. His scoring and ast. are decent for the worst team in the NBA. Still can’t shoot .258% 3PT , .424% FG, .688% FT
JW, you’re wildin if you think 16 games of production makes KPJ a future all-star. Caris has years of production. He’s better and it’s highly unlikely Porter surpasses him.
With the #2 pick Pistons gotta go with Jalen Green. I like Mobley for them too. I’ve been watching Green a lot lately. This guy can be the next big thing. I would not pass on that.
I second that!!