As in Houston last season, the Pistons' encouraging performances prove that a few veterans can greatly help a group of talented young players. Tim Hardaway Jr.Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley arrived last summer and average 40.7 points.
But as much as the points scored, it was their experience that was beneficial to Detroit. The first is the oldest player on the team, being only 32 years old, while Tobias Harris is the most experienced in terms of seasons played in the NBA.
A dad who talks to sponges
“I just try to bring that desire, that fighter mentality, that inspiration,” confides the former Dallas The Athletic. “I'm not alone since there are also Tobias and Beasley. We are here for a crucial reason, to help young people, to make their lives easier. They do a really good job of listening and being sponges. »
The youngest player on the squad, Ron Holland II, born in July 2005, sees Tim Hardaway Jr. “like a dad”. The veteran thus teaches him to “take care of my body, build a routine. He looks at the long term, thinks about the longevity of my career”explains the rookie.
But also in the short term, with performances on the floor. What Ron Holland II is discovering this year has been the daily life of the shooter for a decade.
“Between him and me, it’s a question of trust. He tells me to keep shooting, whether I score or not, to never stop, that there are many matches in a season,” he says. “I'm glad he's here because he knows what all this takes. He did it, he knows the sacrifices to make and everything else. »
Players who know their job
Jalen Duren also relies a lot on the experience of his elders. “When I watch the games, I see them constantly doing what they know how to do, night after night, to the best of their abilities. We needed that, that consistency that veterans have. Not only are they veterans on the floor, but off it as well. They talk a lot and don't just think about themselves, but about the group.”insists the pivot.
It’s the logical passing of the torch between the old and new generations. When he arrived in the NBA in 2013, Tim Hardaway Jr. experienced the same thing. He was surrounded by players more experienced than him in New York – Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin – who gave him the ropes to make his mark.
“It’s essential to have players who show you that. Life is easier afterwards and they made me understand what a true professional should do. So I'm happy to be able to do it now with the others and bring it to the Detroit franchise.”he concludes.
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2013-14 | NYK | 81 | 23 | 42.8 | 36.3 | 82.8 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 10.2 |
| 2014-15 | NYK | 70 | 24 | 38.9 | 34.2 | 80.1 | 0.2 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 11.5 |
| 2015-16 | ATL | 51 | 17 | 43.0 | 33.8 | 89.3 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 6.4 |
| 2016-17 | ATL | 79 | 27 | 45.5 | 35.7 | 76.6 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 14.5 |
| 2017-18 | NYK | 57 | 33 | 42.1 | 31.7 | 81.6 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 17.5 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 65 | 32 | 39.3 | 34.0 | 84.1 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 18.1 |
| 2018-19 * | NYK | 46 | 33 | 38.8 | 34.7 | 85.4 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 19.1 |
| 2018-19 * | DAL | 19 | 29 | 40.4 | 32.1 | 76.7 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 15.5 |
| 2019-20 | DAL | 71 | 30 | 43.4 | 39.8 | 81.9 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 15.8 |
| 2020-21 | DAL | 70 | 28 | 44.7 | 39.1 | 81.6 | 0.3 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 16.6 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 42 | 30 | 39.4 | 33.6 | 75.7 | 0.3 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 14.2 |
| 2022-23 | DAL | 71 | 30 | 40.1 | 38.5 | 77.0 | 0.3 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 14.4 |
| 2023-24 | DAL | 79 | 27 | 40.2 | 35.3 | 85.2 | 0.3 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 14.4 |
| 2024-25 | DET | 36 | 28 | 43.0 | 38.1 | 83.1 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 10.9 |
| Total | 772 | 27 | 41.8 | 36.1 | 81.3 | 0.3 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 13.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
