Detroit — Entering training camp, the positional group that seemed to have the most intrigue was the wings, where Josh Jackson, Frank Jackson and Hamidou Diallo looked to be battling for two spots in the rotation.
Each of the three has had a good preseason, but Josh Jackson has taken a big step forward in his progression and showing that he can be a prominent two-way threat. His passing and decision making have been amon the biggest surprises of the preseason, and with the injuries to a pair of wing starters, he’s been able to move into the starting lineup.
When the season begins on Wednesday at home against the Chicago Bulls, he figures to be in line for big minutes, working with a second group that looks to be one of the Pistons’ biggest strengths.
In the preseason finale against the Philadelphia 76ers, he posted 14 points, five rebounds, six assists and three blocks in a team-high 34 minutes, showing his versatility and utility in fitting wherever coach Dwane Casey needs him on the court. More than that, Casey revealed he is trending toward a big role.
“He’s definitely in the rotation with the way he’s played and played with confidence, defending without fouling. I thought he did a good job of playing under control,” Casey said. “His growth has been fantastic throughout the training camp and in the exhibition games. It’s good to see his growth, but he’s definitely a part and we’ll figure out where he fits in the rotation, but he’ll be a big part of our plan.”
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Saddiq Bey and Cade Cunningham are nursing ankle injuries, so Josh Jackson can stay at the ready if there’s a need for a starter. But working with the veteran group off the bench has suited him well also. The competition for minutes hasn’t made for any animosity, as all of the wings are working toward the same goal of helping each other and doing what’s best for the team.
“Every guy wants to be on the floor, but more importantly, every guy on our team here wants to win,” Josh Jackson said. “If there’s ever a time that there’s a guy on our team who is just playing really, really well and helping us win games, then, I’ll gladly step back and sit on a bench and cheer for that guy, if we’re getting the wins.”
The 24-year-old arrived last year to a new team that was looking to rebuild and change direction. He was one of the interesting additions, but now with a summer under his belt to get more acquainted with his new teammates, the benefits are showing.
For what it’s worth, as he went through the up-and-down season, he heard all the talk, the good and the bad, about his game and that he was with his third team in four seasons and whether this was just another pit stop in a journeyman career.
Not so much.
“I heard what everybody had to say — it’s kind of hard not to. When you’re out there playing every day, you’re going to pay attention to the good and bad things that people say,” he said. “I definitely heard the noise a little bit. …
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“The chemistry just wasn’t there, and I was playing with guys I had never played with before. A lot of them weren’t aware of my passing abilities, so that just is what it is. Now, I feel like everybody knows a little bit and we’ve got a feel for each other, so I know their games and where they like to get the ball, so any time I see them, I’m going to pass it.”
Injury updates
With only a couple more days until the start of the regular season, there is growing concern about whether the Pistons will be at full strength. Casey said that Killian Hayes, who suffered a concussion last week, cleared protocols and was a full participant in practice on Sunday.
Bey, recovering from an ankle injury, participated in some of practice, but he’s on course to return to the lineup. The status for Cunningham, who missed all four preseason games because of a sprained ankle, is still up in the air.
“He’s on course (to return Wednesday). One thing we’re not going to do is rush him back,” Casey said. “”If he’s not 100 percent, we won’t rush him out there. We’ll see where everyone is on Wednesday.”
rod.beard@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard