In the shadow of Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Harris, Alec Burks or Ausar Thompson on the wing, Isaiah Livers will try as best they can to find a place in Monty Williams’ rotation next season, with his “3&D” profile.
However, since the start of his career, the 25-year-old winger has struggled to maintain good health, totaling only 71 games (out of a possible 164) in two seasons with the Pistons. Suffice to say that, this summer, his work was mainly oriented on the physical aspect.
” I made a new friendship with the weight room he jokes in the columns of the Detroit Free Press. ” I now feel much more explosive, bouncy and in control of my body. It’s no secret that the most important thing for me is to avoid injuries. I had some small ones and I refined my training program intelligently, so as not to overwork myself and no longer be confronted with persistent wear and tear injuries. »
Always hampered at the wrong time by his body, Isaiah Livers has not yet managed to find how to resist the frantic pace of an NBA season lasting 82 games (or even more, in the event of the playoffs). But he works on it, tirelessly…
” I’m still learning “, he adds in all honesty, concerning his physical preparation. ” I don’t have all the answers yet [à mes questions] but, all I can do is learn from the veterans. I ask them a lot of questions to improve myself on a physical level and it will be about going through the process and sticking to it. »
A hard worker, ready to shine at home
Pure product of Michigan, where he was born and where he studied (high school, university), Isaiah Livers is the kind of blue-collar who responds to the philosophy of Detroit. Beyond taking care of himself and his body, he therefore intends to trust this principle which he never departs from: give everything and sacrifice himself to be rewarded.
” I’ve always heard that hard work trumps talent […] and I’ve reached a stage where I want to work, work, work and work, because only work creates results “, explains the 42nd choice of the Draft 2021. “ I have to be smart and have a more professional mindset. It was the most important thing for me after meeting my managers at the end of the season: eating healthy, staying healthy, stretching, taking care of my body and visiting the coaches. I didn’t move from the Michigan summer to make sure my body was in good shape. »
” There’s no reason to go to the beach and put your butt on the sand. »
It must be said that Isaiah Livers would be well advised to achieve his first full season, when he will be “free agent” next summer and the Pistons have regained ambition, since the arrival of Monty Williams on their bench …
” The time has come, it’s a good year “Launches the winger, in reference to the collective expectations of his team. ” Monty Williams has assembled a formidable coaching-staff around him. We have returning players [de blessure], young people who are ready to play. Everyone is excited, morale is high and no one is putting themselves forward over the others. Everyone’s goal is the title. We will first focus on our development, our growth, and then we will focus on the title. If we stick to this plan, then we will go where we want to go. »
Like Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, who made a strong impression on the Las Vegas side at Team USA training camp, Isaiah Livers has been working a lot on his game since the beginning of the summer, on the Detroit side, along with some of his teammates. In particular because his first meeting with Monty Williams marked him and motivated him for the future.
” There’s no reason to go to the beach and lay your ass on the sand “, he believes, about his plans for the offseason. ” The coach put us in front of a quote: ‘You can’t achieve greatness at the beach’. It’s stuck in my mind since it happened and I’ve stayed in Michigan, working hard, because I really believe in it. I played under [John] Beilein and [Juwan] Howard, and they believe the same thing. Monty [Williams] is someone with whom it certainly sticks well. »
| Isaiah Livers | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2021-22 | TED | 19 | 20 | 45.6 | 42.2 | 85.7 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 6.4 |
| 2022-23 | TED | 52 | 23 | 41.7 | 36.5 | 82.1 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 6.7 |
| Total | 71 | 22 | 42.6 | 37.8 | 83.0 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 6.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
