{"id":177701,"date":"2026-02-13T17:57:51","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T22:57:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=177701"},"modified":"2026-02-13T17:57:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T22:57:51","slug":"pistons-second-unit-proving-doubters-completely-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/13\/pistons-second-unit-proving-doubters-completely-wrong\/","title":{"rendered":"Pistons Second Unit Proving Doubters Completely Wrong"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Pistons<\/a> sit atop the NBA standings. After the Thunder\u2019s 110\u201393 loss to the Bucks, Detroit now owns the league\u2019s best record by percentage points \u2014 a reality few envisioned when the season began. What was projected to be a middle-of-the-pack team has instead evolved into one of the NBA\u2019s most complete and connected groups heading into the second half. And it hasn\u2019t happened by accident.<\/p>\n

While the starting five has drawn deserved attention, the Pistons\u2019 rise has been fueled by something deeper: a second unit that has consistently swung momentum, stabilized games, and exceeded every preseason expectation. Once viewed as a potential weak spot lacking firepower, the bench has instead developed a clear identity: defending with an edge, pushing the pace, and maintaining the physicality and discipline that define Detroit\u2019s starters.<\/p>\n

As we continue handing out All-Star break grades<\/a>, it\u2019s time to evaluate the engine behind the surge. How does the Pistons\u2019 second unit stack up? Let\u2019s dive in.<\/p>\n

Pistons Second Unit Proving Doubters Completely Wrong<\/h2>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

Pistons Second Unit Anchored By Beef Stew’s Edge<\/span><\/h3>\n

When you talk about the Pistons\u2019 identity, it starts with Isaiah Stewart<\/a>. He embodies the rugged, physical edge Detroit leans on \u2014 always ready, always engaged.<\/p>\n

December\u2019s Defensive Player of the Month<\/a>, Stewart, averaged 2.2 blocks and 4.4 contested shots per game during that stretch. On the season, he ranks seventh in total blocks (82) and sixth in blocks per game (1.7), while anchoring bench lineups with a 109.8 defensive rating.<\/p>\n

He understands his role, protects the rim at a high level, and sets the tone every night<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Grade: A<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hustle Man<\/h3>\n

Ron Holland<\/a> came into the season with real momentum after a strong Summer League. The three-point shot hasn\u2019t followed (22.9%), but his impact goes far beyond scoring.<\/p>\n

In 20.7 minutes per game, he\u2019s averaging 8.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals while ranking near the top of the league in defensive rating (106.4) and steal metrics across the board. He\u2019s disruptive, active, and constantly around the ball.<\/p>\n

Grade: B+<\/strong><\/p>\n

Impact Without Needing Spotlight<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"\"
Feb 3, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green (31) steals the ball from Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For Javonte Green<\/a> to be a steady piece of Detroit\u2019s second unit<\/a> speaks to his work and professionalism. When he checks in, something happens. A timely three. A sharp backdoor cut. A momentum-shifting defensive play. \u201cWoo\u201d delivers winning moments.<\/p>\n

His biggest impact comes on the defensive end. Green is averaging a career-high 1.3 steals per game and ranks near the top of the team in multiple defensive categories \u2014 eighth in defensive rating (108.1), sixth in defensive box plus\/minus (2.4), and top five in steal percentage, steals per 36, and steals per 100 possessions.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-<\/strong><\/p>\n

From G-League To Glue Guy <\/span><\/h3>\n

From G-League standout to legitimate NBA contributor, there may not be a better development story on the roster than Daniss Jenkins<\/a>. What started as a pleasant surprise has quickly become a source of reliability.<\/p>\n

When Detroit needed a steady secondary ball-handler and playmaker, Jenkins answered. His emergence softened the blow of moving on from Jaden Ivey<\/a>, giving the second unit structure and control. He\u2019s shooting 42% from the field and 38.1% from three \u2014 efficient numbers that force defenses to respect him.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Complementary Piece Still Finding Consistency<\/span><\/h3>\n

Caris LeVert<\/a> has been hampered by injuries that have caused him to work his way into a rhythm. His ability to be another ball handler and playmaker has been on display, but his scoring has taken a bit of a hit.<\/p>\n

The minutes have decreased from last year, which means the touches will as well. He\u2019s shooting just 43.2% from the floor, but his three-point shot has slightly improved at 34.2%. As LeVert continues to find his rhythm in the second half, I expect his full complementary game to be in full effect.<\/p>\n

Grade: C<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pistons Second Unit Secure With B.Ball Paul\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

If \u201cstay ready so you won\u2019t have to get ready\u201d<\/a> were a player, it would be Paul Reed<\/a>. His minutes fluctuate, but his motor doesn\u2019t. When called upon, he produces \u2014 immediately.<\/p>\n

The last two games are proof. Against the Hornets, Reed posted 12 points and two steals in 18 minutes. Inserted into the starting lineup versus the Raptors, he erupted for 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and four blocks in 33 minutes. No easing in. No hesitation.<\/p>\n

That reliability \u2014 the ability to shift from limited minutes to major responsibility \u2014 has been invaluable for Detroit\u2019s depth.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/h3>\n

The Detroit Pistons second unit entered the season surrounded by question marks. Did it have enough scoring? Enough stability? Enough two-way impact to support a team with serious aspirations? Halfway through the year, those questions have been answered.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t just a bench that survives minutes \u2014 it wins them. It defends with edge, forces turnovers, protects the rim, and provides timely shot-making when games tighten. From energy disruptors to instant offense to stay-ready veterans, the Pistons\u2019 second unit mirrors the starters\u2019 identity: physical, unselfish, and relentless.<\/p>\n

John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Pistons sit atop the NBA standings. After the Thunder\u2019s 110\u201393 loss to the Bucks, Detroit now owns the league\u2019s best record by percentage points \u2014 a reality few envisioned when the season began. What was projected to be a middle-of-the-pack team has instead evolved into one of the NBA\u2019s most complete and connected […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5168,"featured_media":177702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,10,62],"tags":[1070,50107,2380,4107,3306,2291,49172],"class_list":["post-177701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-pistons","category-nba","tag-caris-levert","tag-daniss-jenkins","tag-isaiah-stewart","tag-jaden-ivey","tag-javonte-green","tag-paul-reed","tag-ron-holland"],"modified_by":"Benjamin Yu","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177701"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177701\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":177707,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177701\/revisions\/177707"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}