<\/p>\n
The first time I came across Jalen Duren was in my failed journey to achieve the \u201cGreatest of All Time\u201d ranking in NBA 2K. Most gamers seem drawn to \u201cMy Player\u201d mode, but I\u2019ve always been intrigued by the traditional style of \u201cplay now online.\u201d The goal is to climb the ladder of 9 tiers starting at freshmen league and ending with Greatest of All Time.<\/p>\n
As you progress upward, you can be kicked back down if you lose three in a row. Hall of Fame is the tier before GOAT status and I often found myself on the cusp of being kicked, but after a strong run of games (and a couple of gifts from my opponents\u2019 internet lagging), I could smell GOAT ranking.<\/p>\n
I had been on a steady run with the underrated Knicks using Mitchell Robinson\u2019s shot-blocking prowess, Randle\u2019s versatility, RJ\u2019s explosiveness, and Brunson\u2019s leadership. Then I came across the Detroit Pistons.<\/p>\n
Jalen Duren was a name I was familiar with from summer league and despite some flashes of brilliance, he was only 18. I was more worried about Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Marvin Bagley. With Isaiah Stewart behind Bagley and Noel off the bench, I pegged Duren as a DNP. Boy was I wrong.<\/p>\n
The former AAC Freshman of the Year was a gamer\u2019s nightmare. With a combination of ferocious offensive rebounding and an explosive standing dunk I was dismantled by Duren. I play with headphones and at one point I yelled into the mic, \u201cWho is this guy?\u201d as my opponent snickered. He was Jalen Duren, a player who has the capability to be a game-changing talent for the growing Pistons franchise.<\/p>\n
2k woes aside, the Marvin Bagley experiment hasn\u2019t worked for the Pistons and with his recent injury we have seen the emergence of Duren. Duren\u2019s most impressive attribute has been his dominance on the glass leading all rookies in rebounds snatched<\/a> per game. He\u2019s also a menace on the offensive boards averaging 3.4 per game ranking him<\/a> number 5 among all centers.\u00a0 In his ten games as a starter, NBC Sports Edge even noted<\/a> \u201cDuren has been generational on the glass early in his career.\u201d<\/p>\n Some of his more eye-popping lines included 7 points 19 boards (6 offensive) 3 blocks, and 2 dimes. The following night he dropped 15 points, 14 boards (6 offensive), a block, and a dime. He also had games where he pulled down 11, 13, 12, and 18 boards.<\/p>\n One downside is Duren\u2019s scoring hasn\u2019t been great.\u00a0 He\u2019s been limited to mainly hustle points, alley-oops, and easy setups. He\u2019s also underperformed on defense averaging half a block and steal since joining the starting lineup.\u00a0 However, he has shown flashes of being a good passer.<\/p>\nJalen Duren still has a ways to go before becoming a star for the Pistons<\/h2>\n