Detroit — Pistons forward Marvin Bagley III played one season for retiring Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who takes on archrival North Carolina Saturday night in the Final Four, chasing his sixth national title.
Bagley was asked how the legendary player developer most impacted him.
“I love Coach K,” Bagley said. “Coach K really taught me a lot just by how he prepares himself for every game. Even if it seems like a game that really doesn’t matter, he’s still preparing the same way, and that taught me how to stay ready every single game when I was there.
“One thing he told me that he used to say all the time to me and the rest of the team: ‘Next play.’ That’s how I live my life — not only on the court but off the court. Whatever happens, it’s ‘next play.’ You can’t control it; you’ve got to move on and worry about the present. And don’t look back and stress on something that’s already happened.
“That’s something I took with me. I use it on the court, and in my life. I’m happy for Coach K. Watching the games, he’s the happiest that I’ve seen him. It’s just always good to see him happy, and doing what he loves to do. And I’ve got them winning it all.”
That “next play” focus is easier said than done for players after missing a shot or turning the ball over and having to instantly flick the switch to defense.
“That’s a huge hurdle for young players,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “We’re talking about it all the time — whether it’s officiating (calls), bad pass, bad play, whatever. Sometimes guys make a great play, start jumping up and down, and there’s a layup on the other end.
“‘Next play.’ And that’s one of the hardest things for young players to grasp. ‘OK, I can’t do anything about that call. I haven’t seen an official change a call yet. Next play.’ Let me be the guy talking to officials. That’s something you always stress to young players. You have to do it less to older players because they’ve been through it.
“But it’s one of the top priorities for young players. Marvin, all of our guys, are still working on the next-play mentality.”
Bagley is averaging 16.9 points and 7.9 rebounds in seven starts since the Pistons acquired him from Sacramento seven weeks ago. He’s averaging 11.3 points and seven rebounds for the season.
Bagley was a first team All-American at Duke in 2017-18, when he was named the ACC player and rookie of the year and became the third to lead the conference in scoring (21 points), rebounds (11.1) and field goal shooting percentage (61.4%). Others who achieved that were Wake Forest’s Tim Duncan (1996-97) and Clemson’s Horace Grant (1986-87), uncle of Pistons’ leading scorer Jerami Grant.
The Blue Devils (29-8) were eliminated in an 85-81 overtime Elite Eight loss to Kansas in Bagley’s one run through March Madness.
Cunningham, Livers expected to play
Pistons guard Cade Cunningham suffered a tailbone contusion in the first quarter in Tuesday night’s 130-123 loss at Brooklyn, taking a charge that wasn’t called. But he returned to score 29 of his 34 points in the second half, matching his career high first achieved Jan. 25 against Denver.
“Standing up and moving around was when it felt better,” Cunningham said after the game. “Sitting down like now is when it stiffens up.”
It was feared that he might not be ready to play Thursday night against Philadelphia. However, he took part in a light Wednesday afternoon practice and still did some extra shooting.
“He’s a little sore and that next day is when you’re usually sore,” Casey said. “But he got some shots up and is sore. … Yes, I anticipate (he will play).”
Rookie forward Isaiah Livers has missed four games after suffering a concussion, but Casey is confident he’s ready to return.
“He says he felt better so we’ll see,” Casey said. “I think he’ll be able to go tomorrow. So, we’ll see how he responds to these workouts today. So, be Lou Gehrig, not Wally Pipp.”
Gehrig took Pipp’s spot at first base when the starter had a headache and complained of oppressive heat, and Gehrig was in the lineup for 2,130 consecutive games for the New York Yankees.
Personnel dept.
Pistons forward Chris Smith, an undrafted rookie from UCLA who did not play this season, underwent an ACL reconstruction procedure on his left knee Tuesday in Chicago.
Steve Kornacki is a freelance writer.
76ers at Pistons
► Tipoff: 7 p.m. Thursday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
► TV/radio: BSD/950
► Outlook: The Pistons (20-56) are looking to break a three-game losing streak against the 76ers (46-29), who have lost two straight — albeit to high-flying Phoenix and Milwaukee. Joel Embiid (29.9 points, 11.4 rebounds) and James Harden (23 points, 9.8 assists) bring it all for Philadelphia.