Pistons
Jalen Duren has gone from intriguing young big to full-on center who can take over a game.
He hung 30 points with 11 boards and three steals on the Nets Friday. He’s now at 19.2 points and 11.3 rebounds for the year.
Detroit couldn’t get an extension done before last month’s deadline — so barring something shocking, he’ll be one of the top restricted free agents on the board next summer.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff suggested that the breakout was earned.
“We’ve put together a plan over the summer for him and he was as dedicated to that plan as anybody,” Bickerstaff said, via Omarai Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press. “He worked relentlessly on his game. He’s always had the talent. I think the confidence is coming now.”
Cade Cunningham added that Duren is playing like someone who has figured out he belongs.
“He’s dominant,” Cunningham said. “He’s not waiting. He’s attacking every game.”
Detroit sat in first place in the East entering Saturday at 7-2.
Kings
Russell Westbrook put up 23 points, 16 boards and 10 assists in a win over the Warriors earlier this week. Both teams were missing key guys, but Westbrook was the show. And per ESPN’s Anthony Slater, he made a little history, too.
After being told he passed Jason Kidd for most rebounds all-time by a guard?
“Oh,” Westbrook said. “Honestly, I didn’t even know that. I’m going to need the game ball.”
He also called himself “the best rebounding guard ever.” Hard to argue when the numbers back it up.
International
Spencer Dinwiddie is now with German club Bayern Munich after getting cut in Charlotte.
He told Nicolas Bulach of BasketEurope that players are catching on that EuroLeague is a legit destination, and not just some retirement tour.
“Everybody is realizing that there is another very high-level basketball league in the world,” Dinwiddie said. “We have the chance to keep chasing our dreams and to enjoy playing the game, no matter where you are in your career.”
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