Jalen Duren DESTROYS Dallas Mavericks With Career Best 33 Points | Is the Big Three Complete?
Detroit Pistons dominate Dallas Mavericks 122-110 in Mexico City, improving to 4-2 behind Jalen Duren’s career-high 33 points and Cade Cunningham’s 18-assist masterclass. Is the franchise’s Big Three finally taking shape?
Ku Khahil analyzes how Duren’s offensive rebounding dominance, lob threat ability, and improved free-throw shooting create unstoppable paint scoring. Cunningham’s remarkable turnaround—just one turnover across two games after early-season struggles—showcases his growth as a facilitator. The discussion explores why Ausar Thompson completes this emerging core trio, drawing parallels to the Golden State Warriors’ championship system. Ku breaks down the Pistons’ unique pick-and-roll synergy that thrives without elite shooting, examines Duncan Robinson’s resurgence, and addresses serious concerns about Caris LeVert’s inefficient start, which is actively hurting the team’s offensive flow.
Discover why this core combination could reshape Detroit Pistons basketball for the next decade.
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26 Comments
If you remember, Schroeder struggled in his first few games with Detroit as well, last year. I'll give LeVert a little longer to get integrated. What's your take on Duren and Stew's time together on the floor this year? Seems like it looks really good when it's good but at times there's some defensive lapses that they really shouldn't have.
All-Star season incoming for Duren. 💪💪💪💪💪💪
I'm glad he had a good game but I can't read to much into it because there was no Anthony Davis.
I still think in the modern NBA you need a starting lineup that can shoot better as a whole. I think what we have is serviceable and can win games but if your goal is to win a championship in the future I’m not sure we have enough shooting. (Hope to be wrong tho). It has been fun watching this team play
Still concerned about they're free throw %
Hey Ku, I've been meaning to reach out to let you know how much I enjoy your show. I'm a long time Pistons fan, going back to the Chuck Daly days. I wanted to say that your basketball IQ is off the charts, and I'm learning so much from listening to your show, taking my basketball fandom to new more appreciative levels. Great game last night. It seems like Cade went into his CP3 bag for this one. Anyway, I'm wondering if we are seeing a trend in his game or if it's just coincidence, but to me, it seems like in each of these games, Cade is figuring out his opponent as the games progress? This accounts for some of his slower starts, but ultimately leading to his ability to deconstruct other teams with surgical precision in the end.
I wasn’t a fan of the Caris signing either but he’s only played 3 games due to the injury and only 18 minutes a game. That’s really nothing to form an opinion from.
Levert sucks always has idk why they signed him for so much money it's crazy
Levert isn’t the answer unfortunately. Should start giving Jenkins minutes here and there
We need a legit four who can shoot 3s that will solve several problems
4-2… think we will be 40-20 through 60? Duren and Ausar continuing to take the next step and it is heart breaking that Ivey isn’t there with them.
As I’ve said before, and the last 2 games have proven the single most significant metric for Cade’s success and the Pistons winning is the number of Cade’s turnovers. 4 or more turnovers and the Pistons loss probability increases significantly. JB needs to keep Thompson handling the ball as PG as much as possible when both are on the floor together. The less Cade is dribbling around trying to initiate the offense the better the results!!
Turn the hat around teenager 😂
Andre Drummond was a horrible lob threat. He had the worst timing and sense of space. Cade would be averaging 5.5 TO's and 7 assists with Drummond.
I've loved how our offense was tonight it felt like we actually started to put the pieces together i cant wait to see what we put together
What’s your thoughts on a sign and trade deal with Memphis involving Morant and Ivey? I think Ja day’s are numbered after his latest suspension.
Historically, big trades have elevated the franchise (See below)
1. Tripucka for Dantley
2. Dantley for Aquirre
3. Grant Hill for Ben Wallace
Caris levert is looking like a bad pick up.
Right now Simone Fontechecio best 3 pt shooter in the league. 8.3 million a year.
Caris game replicates the smell 👃 of hot boo boo tell this man his name is not Iso Joe we don’t wanna see this no more send him to the g league he can ball hog all he wants down their smh 🤦
Levert been pissing me off he has been trash and I don’t feel no connection with him and the team
AT had 15 points if Ivey come back at least averaging the same 18 as last year it’ll be him Cade & JD as the big 3
Plus we need Lauri asap!!!!! Trade green , Duncan , levert & 2 first rounds can throw tobi in there too
perhaps I just don't like Offense First bigs who can't defend,
Ku, et al, I hear you on the Good stuff,
I use my hands/back for survival, and Detroit is a small, blue collar market, perhaps I just equate defense with thankless hard work
probably why I gravitate Stew., Ron and Ausar🤷
Ron Holland is coming though.
I’m happy the Pistons are playing well and winning. I’m happy they are finding ways to produce without having amazing shooting. But I’m not ready to name this the core 3 after 2 good games. Cade is clearly core and Ausar as well just on defense alone. Duren has looked good in the last 2 games against good matchups for him. I’m hoping he continues to look good, especially on the defensive end, but the sample size is still far too small and limited in scope to forget his past.
1st Listen. You know Ku, what's with the uncertainty surrounding Duren? I understand not extending Ivey but they need to extend Duren. I've always like Duren. You can't coach size and athleticism. Great show Ku. Keep it 💯.
Word up!!