Jaden Ivey’s four preseason games were a tantalizing display of the talent that led to the Detroit Pistons pouncing on him with the No. 5 overall pick in June’s draft. They also highlighted the steep learning curve that comes with the jump from college to professional basketball, as Ivey shot just 34.1% and occasionally struggled with traffic inside.
Pistons coach Dwane Casey expressed confidence that, as Ivey grew more comfortable with the NBA’s pace, his scoring woes would naturally resolve themselves. There’s still a lot of basketball to be played, but Ivey’s first two games suggest a resolution even quicker than expected.
Ivey tallied 17 points and nine assists in a road loss to the New York Knicks on Friday, which followed his 19 points and four assists during Wednesday’s home win over the Orlando Magic. He has been a quick learner, minimizing his preseason mistakes and showcasing an understanding of how he can utilize his natural gifts to help the Pistons win.
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“Just trying to do what I do best,” Ivey said after Friday’s loss. “Take what I have in rhythm, not try to force things, just what’s given to me. Just make the right plays. I just fell into rhythm. Have to keep doing that and just doing a better job defensively, understanding what the other team’s gonna do. That just comes with reps.”
It’s already obvious that Ivey will be one of Detroit’s best open-floor playmakers this season. He accelerates like a Porsche. By the time the defense fully registers a possession as a transition opportunity, Ivey is usually already past halfcourt and positioned to make a play. He has created several scoring opportunities for Detroit by catching defenses off guard.
Ivey has picked his spots well through two games, and it shows in his efficiency. He’s shooting 51.9% overall (14-for-27), 37.5% from 3 (3-for-8) and 5-for-5 at the line. The bigger surprise has been his passing proficiency, as he has 13 assists and six turnovers thus far.
At Purdue, Ivey was a capable passer but wasn’t widely viewed as a lead point guard by draft analysts. Through two seasons, he had 153 assists and 125 turnovers. He has been a far more capable and willing passer this week. Defenses collapse when he drives to the rim because of his blistering speed. That has opened the floor for his teammates, and he has kept his head up to find open shooters.
So far, the spacing the NBA provides has made it easier for him to play the lead point guard role.
“The NBA level, it’s a lot of space and a lot of talented guys,” he said Friday. “Just more space on the floor, I can read the floor better. I feel like I really improved in that aspect, just being a guy who can get his teammates involved and make the right play.”
Ivey had 16 assists and 14 turnovers during preseason, but his assist total should’ve been higher. The Pistons shot 30.2% from 3 as a team in exhibition, wasting a lot of looks created by Ivey. During practice last week, Casey said he’s impressed with the extent that Ivey has looked to move the ball.
“I didn’t know that part about his game,” he said. “I thought it was more for himself. He’s done a great job of finding it, kicking it out. He can do a better job. He had some situations last night where he got into Webb and was late kicking it out, and caused the defense an opportunity to rotate back. That’s one plus that he’s brought to the game, is his speed and his passing.”
Despite the encouraging start, Ivey admits the transition to the NBA has been a challenge. Thankfully for the Pistons, he’s meeting — or even exceeding — expectations. His speed makes him a constant threat to break down a defense, and he’s learning how to weaponize it.
“Just the competition level, the skill,” Ivey said. “Just trying to learn everything I can as a rookie coming in. It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s a challenge I’m stepping towards and looking forward towards, just learning everything I can and each day, just trying to learn everything, that experience. Go through it with a high head.”
Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarisankofa.
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