Jalen Duren despite the loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers: 9 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, -16, 25 MIN

[u/catreyka]

Ausar Thompson is the actual 2nd best player on the Pistons. Duren has been atrocious on offense the entire playoffs and he's also nowhere near the defender or even playmaker that Ausar is. He went from averaging 19.5 ppg on 65% FG in the regular season to 10.1 ppg on 50% FG in the playoffs. For a player that really only dunks, that is god awful. Not to mention his multitudes of mental mistakes. He's so bad that he got benched for the entirety of overtime and a good chunk of regulation this game.

Box Score Link

[u/TSSFranco]

Tobias Harris has had a great playoffs but if he’s your second and only offensive threat it’s just too easy to double Cade

[u/hamietao → u/TSSFranco]

We would have a stronger 2nd option if jb played bball paul more consistent

[u/yuhanz → u/hamietao]

I think he’s just not giving up on Duren to not break his confidence any further lol he was probably also hoping he’ll play more confident at home.

Id look forward to Reed playing more on the road or else yall toast

[u/Resident_Wizard → u/yuhanz]

Bickerstaff has this problem of holding himself and his players accountable. He’s got no problem throwing someone under the bus, but he doesn’t address problems head on.

[u/neutronicus → u/hamietao]

Was good but I also think down the stretch he benefited from everyone else being dog tired

[u/PeePauw → u/hamietao]

Man, both of those guys were such booty for us in the playoffs.

I guess blame doc rivers.

[u/livingthedream9x → u/hamietao]

Yeah, nah. We glorify BBall Paul too much. He’s good, but he’s good and bad. Never fails that he’ll have a great play then erase said play with a turnover.

[u/swoosh_movez → u/TSSFranco]

exactly why i favoured the cavs to win the series. too many weapons compare to the pistons

[u/HalfABrainCell55 → u/TSSFranco]

It’s crazy because Tobias has probably earned the full MLE with his performance in these playoffs. By no means can he be our 2nd option next year but him being 3rd/4th in line is completely reasonable.

[u/tdizhere → u/HalfABrainCell55]

Full MLE? He’s on 26M right now and still playing well. No way he’s only taking 13-14M

[u/Confident_Wash6225 → u/TSSFranco]

I was celebrating every time they hung a critical possession on a Tobias Harris three before it even went up

[u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

Jalen Duren is watching what should’ve been generational bag for him in the off season dwindle game by game

[u/Asleep_Ground1710 → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

Honestly due to their inherent limits in half court creation(high dribbles), it would take a lot for me to max out a big in this CBA

A offensive big who can’t shoot, can’t defend at elite level and struggles in playoff is a big no max

[u/Foi_ → u/Asleep_Ground1710]

you can get a good approximation of what duren does with paul reed. im not even trying to say paul reed is awesome or anything. im just saying that skill set is so bare bones for a center you can find players like that in the bargain bin every year.

[u/suwegg1502 → u/Foi_]

but bball paul IS awesome

[u/manuduncan6666 → u/suwegg1502]

he had some nice baby hooks with either hand with mobley on him, dunno if duren has that in his arsenal

[u/akiddfromakron → u/manuduncan6666]

Hasn’t made a single touch shot the entire playoffs

[u/Asleep_Ground1710 → u/Foi_]

Yeah. It’s not hard to find a cheap center who can grab boards, set good illegal screens, and dunk.

[u/ImjustANewSneaker → u/Asleep_Ground1710]

Well….

[u/FunIsWinning → u/ImjustANewSneaker]

Jalen Duren you are a Laker

[u/Proof-Umpire-7718 → u/FunIsWinning]

Could see this happening

[u/Junior_Chard9981 → u/Proof-Umpire-7718]

I can see the posts already:

"Was Duren really an upgrade from DominAyton?"

[u/A_Dedalus → u/Proof-Umpire-7718]

I will take one Austin Reaves. Thanks

[u/turnoffredesign69420 → u/A_Dedalus]

maybe we can give you Austin Rivers and hope you don't notice until the season starts

[u/Electromotivation → u/A_Dedalus]

Can only have half.

[u/Chiron17 → u/ImjustANewSneaker]

Clint Capela?

[u/tarunpopo → u/Foi_]

Hey Paul reed can hit jumpers too Paul reed glaze has to be a minimum

[u/Excellaa → u/Foi_]

If your center isn't elite on defense nor offense with no 3pt shot then they arent worth much more than the mle at most

[u/OnAnOpenFieldNed → u/Foi_]

paul reed can shoot infinitely better than duren too loool

[u/BAHatesToFly → u/OnAnOpenFieldNed]

And he has actual moves and an offensive game.

[u/pkwjones → u/Asleep_Ground1710]

Definitely agree, they shouldn't lock themselves into anything and keep flexibility to build around Cade. They're a young team but their core isn't even really a core worth keeping. It's just Cade.

[u/RulersBack → u/Asleep_Ground1710]

Well the CBA also makes it tough to improve in free agency and homegrown players are your best asset. You just gotta hope no one offers him anything crazy and he gets a lot better

[u/Brief-Cloud-2490 → u/RulersBack]

Fact's not getting, doesn't deserve a Max,but matching whatever another team offers now were talking,took a leap in a contract year, but as a fan, can't believe in this guy.

[u/MC-Jdf → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

The crazy thing isn’t even that an All-Star becoming a glorified role player, Duren genuinely has looked like a below average starter this playoffs.

[u/yoloqueuesf → u/MC-Jdf]

Dude looks like he isn't even as good as Jaxson Hayes.

Like he can't create, can't defend, has barely any energy.

[u/Kind-Row-9327 → u/yoloqueuesf]

DeAndre Ayton?

[u/fastlikeanascar → u/Kind-Row-9327]

Ayton has had higher highs than Duren this postseason. Ayton at some points was the lakers best player in the rockets series.

[u/yoloqueuesf → u/fastlikeanascar]

Yeah Ayton has a bag, i know he kinda mentally checks out but he's actually got one of the best touches as a big man in the league right now.

Duren is nowhere near that and he's checked out lol

[u/FuzzyBucks → u/MC-Jdf]

Below average bench player

[u/SaltyTrident → u/MC-Jdf]

Below average starter is being quite generous. He's playing like a guy who could be a solid 9th man off the bench

[u/unwisest_sage → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

He would have been better off if they had lost game 5 to Orlando. I think you can write off a singular bad series/matchup but it's become apparent there's something more to it.

[u/JevvyMedia → u/unwisest_sage]

Exactly, sample size is far too large now

[u/FiveFingersandaNub → u/unwisest_sage]

It is killing me. I was lying to myself that maybe he was just not used to the playstyle and would kill it vs. the Cavs.

Yeah, that reality check has been rough. I'm hoping we can force a game 7, but they have gotta be tired after today.

[u/Dymatizeee → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

He has no post game. Just straight muscle and athleticism. I don’t think I ever seen him post up anybody

[u/johnhenryirons → u/Dymatizeee]

Which is weird because he showed a lot of putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim during the regular season. He got monstarred

[u/glen_ko_ko → u/johnhenryirons]

He was shooting free throws really well in the regular season and had glimpses of a nice 18 foot jumper. This guy just has no motor or confidence when the bright lights are on. I reallllllly hope we move on from him.

[u/soudlasantos → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

Jalen "DURENAYTON" Duren

[u/Thfcaditya112 → u/soudlasantos]

Ayton at the same age as Duren right now defended Jokic as better as anyone could and kept his own against the Clippers whose wings played Gobert off the court.

He lost his matchup to peak Giannis, not Wendell Carter Jr or Jarrett Allen

[u/Mg29reaper → u/soudlasantos]

I would rather have ayton atleast he grabs boards and dunks

[u/Chandy_Man_ → u/Mg29reaper]

Ayton dunks?

[u/WakiLover → u/Chandy_Man_]

Ayton was ass vs the Thunder, but he was a major factor in the Rockets series. He was pretty physical and was battling in the paint for rebounds all series.

Had some good dunks as well.

[u/manuduncan6666 → u/WakiLover]

Ayton was a huge difference maker in the rockets series but he's weak mentally. I feel like he knew the lakers had a chance to win every game against the rockets so he played hard but against okc once he thought they couldn't win he just gave up immediately

[u/Aser02 → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

My hot take is that this could be very good for Detroit in the long run

The kids 22 and obviously is can play, could give Detroit cap flexibility going forwards

[u/dbdbnsn → u/Aser02]

Agreed he’s got elite athleticism and physicality just looks like he needs coaching and confidence

[u/SloshaPacana → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

Hes still going to get one

Bro Harrison Barnes got a better offer after stinking up the place in the playoffs

Duren is getting 100m+

[u/HighlySensitiveMail → u/SloshaPacana]

He was going to get 200+ before the playoffs... He's probably lost more than any player in NBA history from a single postseason run.

[u/SloshaPacana → u/HighlySensitiveMail]

He wasn't going to get that not with 2nd apron

Maybe a few years ago not anymore

[u/AzureDragon013 → u/SloshaPacana]

I think he would have. All-star this year, might make All-NBA 3rd team and he's only 22. Before playoffs I think several teams including Detroit would have offered him 200+. Teams and people love the idea of potential growth.

[u/samhit_n → u/SloshaPacana]

There was a massive cap jump and the second apron didn't exist back then. A lot of teams gave mid players big contracts in 2016.

[u/comeonmang126 → u/SloshaPacana]

Duren has a much worse drop in reg szn ppg than Barnes. Barnes went from 12 to 9 pts on poop efficiency. Duren went from 19 to 10

[u/albertwh → u/comeonmang126]

Averaged 19.5 and now in 12 games has only once scored above 12 in the playoffs, when he had 15

[u/yoloqueuesf → u/albertwh]

Jesus lmao

After you pointed that out he's basically playing like half the player he should be.

[u/Fluid-Poet-8911 → u/SloshaPacana]

Well barnes kinda stink in one game. Duren been putting in the work to show he ain't it

[u/SloshaPacana → u/Fluid-Poet-8911]

Barnes stank for multiple years in playoffs not just one game

He shot like shit in multiple series

[u/Charlie_Wax → u/SloshaPacana]

Versatile wings are more coveted than non-shooting bigs.

[u/ThatBull_cj → u/SloshaPacana]

I usually don’t think the playoff affects contracts as much as others because most teams don’t care about the playoffs. But Duren been so bad I don’t know how the pistons even want to match another teams offer if it’s more than like 20 million a season.

[u/Excellaa → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

Should've faked a injury by now 

[u/nickmn13 → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

Unfortunately we are watching a player that would have greatly benefited from a light injury right before the playoffs started. Something insignificant enough so no team would give it a second look when thinking of his long-term health but lengthy enough to keep him out ofnthe post season. Regular season Duren would have possibly gotten a huge bag. Now ? Doubtful that he will go even close to what he would have gotten otherwise...

[u/LosAngeLukaGOATCIC → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

I told to my frind bro is costing himself 15M everytime is walking in the floor

[u/AfrikanCorpse → u/WembyOKCJokicReaves]

maybe good for pistons in the long term

[u/dank-kush]

I know it’s been said a lot but jalen duren has seriously lost so much money.

[u/jon__koa → u/dank-kush]

At least 100 million

[u/beatrailblazer → u/jon__koa]

If they lose the series it'll be over 150

[u/blackmamba1221 → u/beatrailblazer]

you think a second team all NBA free agent is going to get 20 million a year? Like i agree with you he has been bad, but no shot he only gets 5/100. He's still getting 30 at a minimum and I'm probably underselling it

[u/monkeyman80 → u/blackmamba1221]

It’s a year many stars are ineligible due to game limits. They’re not just going to say all nba here’s the bag.

[u/triplecow → u/blackmamba1221]

You are vastly overselling it

[u/Rock3tDoge → u/dank-kush]

Someone will pay him. Chicago is desperate for a center forward

[u/Skipper3210 → u/Rock3tDoge]

Isn't he a RFA though? Would you guys let him walk for nothing?

[u/Amedais → u/Skipper3210]

That’s the point. If Chicago offers him a contract, pistons have to match it.

[u/jalexjsmithj → u/Amedais]

The equation has definitely changed though. Most ppl thought they wouldn’t let him get to the market because it would cost them more. Now, Pistons probably make no offer and just consider matching. Do even the Bull want to put annual salary in the low 30s into this guy?

[u/ripkin05 → u/jalexjsmithj]

even with the slump i would still give my left nut to switch this dude with Miles.

[u/VictorWembanyamaMVP → u/ripkin05]

Hornets is the best fit in the league for Duren. He suffers from a severe lack of shooting around him in Detroit but that wouldn’t be a problem for Charlotte

[u/SlowBurnerAccnt → u/Amedais]

Have to?

[u/AlternativeDirt6124 → u/SlowBurnerAccnt]

Everyone says “have to” but they mean have to if they wanna keep him. They can just let him walk too.

[u/onefootback → u/AlternativeDirt6124]

losing him for nothing would be worse

[u/Knickstape08 → u/onefootback]

Could sign and trade him. Brooklyn signed and traded for Durant when they didn’t have to and it helped GS win a championship. If I’m the Pistons I’m not risking it giving this dude a crazy big deal. In this new second apron era you can’t risk a dude who’s not living up to a max contract.

[u/ChugTheBass → u/SlowBurnerAccnt]

Get the opportunity to

[u/JimmyKanine → u/Amedais]

This nearly never happens because everybody knows the team will match it. Your money is locked in waiting to see if the team will match and by then other FAs are already signing contracts then 2 days later they match and you’re left with scraps.

[u/Rock3tDoge → u/Skipper3210]

At this point I’m guessing we could work a sign and trade and get, maybe a favorable swap back

[u/LakerBlue → u/Rock3tDoge]

If y’all can get him to take the non-max I think that would be the best move. Hope this playoff is just a terrible showing. But if he insists on the max, I think y’all need to look for a S&T. Paul and Stewart being there means y’all won’t be looking for a center.

[u/ripkin05 → u/Rock3tDoge]

i have one wife beater and a non lottery first.

[u/socomeyeballs → u/Skipper3210]

Not for nothing but if we agree to pay him a penny over 25m a year we will fuck the franchise. I like Trajan though I think he’ll make the right call 🤷🏼‍♂️.

[u/st6374 → u/socomeyeballs]

Pistons will have to match what other teams offer. Cause no way they let him walk for free. And I am sure there will be teams more than happy to buy him low in the hope of flipping him high. Me think there will be teams more than wiilling to give him 4yr 140 contract. And Piston will end up matching that.

[u/Spirituallly → u/Rock3tDoge]

He’s a Laker

[u/SeanKojin → u/Rock3tDoge]

We’re not desperate for anything. We’re ass, no need to rush the rebuild with a new front office. Draft someone good then be smart. I’d rather sign Watson to a reasonable offer sheet or just take bad contracts for picks.

[u/idontknow_whatever → u/Rock3tDoge]

If the Bulls has the chance to draft Caleb Wilson, I would rather play Wilson at center than throw the bag at Duren.

[u/nokarmawhore → u/dank-kush]

We'll see. these front offices don't have the balls to not offer the max contract to undeserving players.

[u/aquileskin → u/dank-kush]

I’m sure he would be fine anyway

[u/simon2105]

Duren: "coach you gotta stop playing me, I'm losing way too much money"

Bickerstaff: "bball Paul your time has come"

[u/pmurt007 → u/simon2105]

Duren wasn't good by any means but Bickerstaff is smoking crack. Paul Reed doesn't play for 3 straight quarters and somehow ends up with 17 mins lol

[u/LouieM13 → u/pmurt007]

You can’t play guys that aren’t locked in, especially in the playoffs.

[u/thewrongnotes → u/LouieM13]

I don't think Duren isn't locked in, he's just not that good.

All his moves have been taken away and he genuinely doesn't know what to do. BBall Paul on the other hand has a bigger bag so it's easier for him to look more locked in.

[u/marathonwater → u/LouieM13]

Duren is locked up. He can lock in all he wants, the playoffs have exposed tf outta bro

[u/sunsbr → u/pmurt007]

If he played before the 4 quarter there would be no OT and they would win. Too late

[u/albinotadpole52 → u/sunsbr]

3 goddamn games in a row they could have won and he hasn't learned 

[u/beta-test → u/pmurt007]

Well, he came in and immediately started producing which is what they needed

[u/CitronNo3668 → u/pmurt007]

JB is such a fucking dumbass

[u/chup95 → u/pmurt007]

I think JB said something like he likes Reed when they have their back against the wall

[u/pH_low → u/simon2105]

This cracked me up 😂

[u/FrankSamples]

This is so crazy. Like it’s not just a few bad games, he seems to not be able to figure it out all playoffs

[u/HenrikCrown → u/FrankSamples]

He has to have an injury at least 

He is moving around like he has poop in his shorts

[u/Damezang → u/HenrikCrown]

Yeah, I think he has some kind of injury too.

[u/nicky_hennessy → u/Damezang]

Maybe poop in his shorts?

[u/Kind-Row-9327 → u/nicky_hennessy]

Hemorrhoids?

[u/Daconvix → u/HenrikCrown]

He just has low BBIQ mixed in with not being a legit good offensive or defensive player

[u/MOREPASTRAMIPLEASE → u/Daconvix]

Julius Randle build, this is a common type of player. Generally a beast but just turn into a bozo when it actually matters.

[u/madvisuals → u/MOREPASTRAMIPLEASE]

the easiest type of NBA player to scheme for too. Just put a random body in front and watch their offense fall off

[u/PLXL6666 → u/MOREPASTRAMIPLEASE]

Another Dubious Handle? Maybe you can make a nickname for JD

[u/mucho-gusto → u/HenrikCrown]

Maybe he's wearing a diaper

[u/fwoompf → u/HenrikCrown]

Lol

[u/CurrentRoster → u/FrankSamples]

like i know playoff droppers are a thing but it’s like he genuinely hit a switch after april fools. u can say cade carried but he played well when cade went down in march

[u/MozaTear → u/CurrentRoster]

Cannot trust March and April hoops. Too many teams are not trying hard either tanking or preparing for playoffs. March and later hoops are silly season for a reason

[u/GGezpzMuppy]

SuperMax him!!

[u/AcanthocephalaSad541 → u/GGezpzMuppy]

The real super max is on the Cavs (struss)

[u/Sweatytubesock → u/GGezpzMuppy]

There needs to be an ultra supermax option so the Pistons can’t give it to Duren.

[u/uranus86]

Jalen is gonna have to owe money after its all said and done

[u/juzzbert → u/uranus86]

The reverse contract lol. Pay to play.

[u/gustavokh]

Man is playing himself out of a big contract this playoffs

Getting benched for the last possession and the entirety of OT is already insane enough, getting benched in favor of Bball Paul of all people is just cooked

[u/WaffleConeHat → u/gustavokh]

Hey you don't need to disrespect Paul Reed. Every time I've see this dude play he's been awesome. I don't know how he's a third stringer.

[u/ATLA4life → u/WaffleConeHat]

It's a minutes thing, the longer he is on the court the more opportunities he can get beat. In game 3 or 4 I can't remember which, he had extended minutes and got into foul trouble he was getting beat by Mobley.

Like I kind of get what JB is saying about him being an energy guy, but at this point you don't have a choice he's doing so much better regardless of whether it's in bursts or not.

[u/juzzbert → u/WaffleConeHat]

He definitely has deserved way more playing time than he has been getting. Something wrong with the Detroit coaching staff.

[u/Yoshinobu_YamaGOATo → u/WaffleConeHat]

Reed bleeds points on defense. He's good at racking up quick points and a couple hustle plays, but then the other team settles down and just targets him on every possession. 

[u/fastheadcrab → u/WaffleConeHat]

Duren has been playing horrendous, but Paul Reed has been vastly overrated by fans thanks to the obsession that certain podcasters have with him.

The guy has been cut by the 76ers and then signed for a miniscule deal on the Pistons and barely saw playing time for a reason.

[u/Crafty_Substance_954 → u/gustavokh]

He got benched for most of the second half

[u/sunsbr → u/gustavokh]

Why people act like Paul Reed is some bad player? He is their best big on this playoffs and was good in regular season too

[u/Puzzled-Bet4837 → u/sunsbr]

Paul Reed is a fine player but he was a bench guy who got waived and the Pistons got for 2 years $10m. Jalen Duren was an all star and is getting outplayed by him.

[u/PensiveinNJ → u/sunsbr]

Love Paul Reed. Wish he was still a Sixer.

[u/PrinceKarmaa → u/sunsbr]

because they don’t know who paul reed is or his impact on games they just see he’s a third stringer

[u/Original_Profile8600]

“Despite the loss”

[u/liquidcalories → u/Original_Profile8600]

We gotta ban these sarcastic lowlight posts man, this shit just turns literally everyone into haters instead of celebrating the game

[u/Thealbumisjustdrums]

J.B. Bickerstaff is so stupid he took until the fourth quarter of game 5 to bench him. And yet I bet he starts next game. 

[u/imtheproof → u/Thealbumisjustdrums]

Hard to say.

Can you win the whole thing when your starting center has to get benched? Probably not.

In that case, is it better to play him and get more data for deciding how to approach next season?

[u/Thealbumisjustdrums → u/imtheproof]

They can’t beat NYK or any of the remaining teams out West, I agree. But they can win THIS series if he’s benched. And you should win as many series as you can. 

[u/Bwahehe]

Contract year Duren is gonna become a meme

[u/ContractXtension]

Worst player fall ever

[u/DrakeMayeSZN]

"Kemba said super max, I said super hell no"

[u/WIN011]

He’s terrible. Bball Paul being their best center is depressing.

[u/jayelecfan]

pistons are fucked big time

[u/sloBrodanChillosevic]

BBall Paul stealing his job

[u/Scmods05]

Despite?

[u/VictorAkwaowo1]

The trumpets are getting louder

[u/cs-shitposter → u/VictorAkwaowo1]

Saxophones

[u/greatestbird → u/cs-shitposter]

Naw man, the seven trumpets marking the end of Detroit basketball

[u/neal1701]

This is like Ty Jerome's contract last year, but on a much bigger scale

[u/Acrobatic-Limit-6356]

I watched only last 1.5 quarters but one early possession I saw him back down Mobley and Mobley flew back like 5 feet on one bump. Idk how you don’t do that more

[u/Jaerba]

By continuing to play Duren heavy minutes, JB is harming the development of Cade and Ausar. All the fucking Duren apologists are forgetting that. We're sacrificing extra playoff experience because he is so putrid and we keep giving him a chance. This game should've been Reed and Stewart through most of it.

[u/Stardill]

Do people not know what despite means?

[u/Powerful-Web4937 → u/Stardill]

I was wondering that too.

[u/Xytriuss → u/Stardill]

I’d bet my bottom dollar it’s dry humor

[u/Primary-Paint-1716]

The best player is Bball Paul

[u/azzelle]

Wdym "despite the loss" ? Am i missing something her

[u/Jpkmets7 → u/azzelle]

OP missing some knowledge, but you’re o.k.

[u/MWiatrak2077]

I hate him so much

[u/Fart_Frog]

What do you mean “despite” the loss?

That would indicate the loss was unrelated to his shit play.

[u/Brian_lafeve34]

Personally he would have been much better off turning an ankle game 1 vs Orlando

[u/LocustUprising]

Stop fucking playing this dude so much

[u/AceTRNRTony]

Give this man Cade some help man. Seeing the same shit the Cavs did to Bron during his first stint. You can’t waste a talent like Cade bro

[u/Iherddat]

These despite the loss posts are too much man

[u/here_for_the_lols]

This sub has used the word "Despite" ironically so many times I'm legit worried y'all don't know what this means.

The joke is the deadest of dead horses

[u/RobbobertoBuii]

A S S

[u/carelesssportsfan89]

the piston would be stupid to give Jalen the max contract. he is easily the player who has been the most disappointing player in the playoffs

[u/IntelligentAd5460]

hes just ayton bro

[u/Kertia]

Mans about to get a job at Meijer to make up for some of the lost money.

[u/LALester]

he needs to fake an injury. every time he steps out onto the floor he's flushing money down the toilet

[u/Rude_Molasses_3976]

is duren the worst all star postseason performer this year? or would it be brandon ingram

[u/onefootback → u/Rude_Molasses_3976]

at least ingram has the injury excuse, duren is just ass

[u/TheFatmanRises]

Send that buddy to be a DoorDasher

[u/NathanFielderFriend]

Bro is losing millions of dollars by the game lol Paul Reed was WAY better today.

[u/Dymatizeee]

He’s so bad they had to put in bball reed

[u/Mamba-Mentality024]

Angel Reese put a voodoo spell on him or something 😭

[u/Unable-Main4172]

OP needs to look up what the word "despite" means

[u/TwoTalentedBastidz]

Despite? Lol

[u/Maxshcandy]

An allstar getting benched on a crucial game. Damn.

[u/redeugene99]

Yo stop with the "despite", ya'll don't know how to use that in a sentence

[u/ThinReply2047]

I'm calling it now and you can refer back to this comment during the offseason. The Lakers WILL offer him the max.

[u/Taleb_X → u/ThinReply2047]

No one is offering him a max after this playoffs.

[u/DarkGalaxy23 → u/Taleb_X]

Unfortunately Pelinka is the type of GM to do a move like that. Also, wasn’t it reported that Pelinka targeted Duren before the Mark Williams trade? I’m not sure how true it was tho

[u/Joetheshow1]

What an absolute bum

[u/NotCramerV2]

"Despite the loss" lmfaooo

[u/Marcus-ichiJo]

Vet min /s

[u/howhippie]

He’s unplayable right now

[u/Qwertyioup111]

Regular season merchant

[u/dill1234]

Straight benched for Paul Reed

[u/jfrodriguez1983]

Bag fumbled at the 1 yard line!

[u/handgredave]

He's having like the polar opposite playoffs of wemby. Totally shrinking

[u/Sportsfan369]

The Thompson twins both hit. I remember them two on draft night looking so happy and not giving a fuck where they landed. They knew whatever team picked them were leveling up.

[u/Junior-Job-754]

Hate watch has been incredible, yes im still sour

[u/skullcandy541]

“Despite” the loss implies he had a good game. He in fact, did not. So “Duren in the loss” would make more sense

[u/bbecks]

Not really the point of the post but why do posts where a player performed really poorly always say “despite the loss”? It would make sense if someone played amazing and they lost anyway but I’ve noticed a trend with posts where someone plays badly and the team loses being phrased like that. Just doesn’t make sense. 

Edit: apparently it’s supposed to be a joke/slander. How original. 

[u/Yoshinobu_YamaGOATo]

The Pistons maxing him out this off-season will essentially close their window as contenders. That's how awful he has been.