Hunter Patterson
@HunterPatterson
Covering the Detroit Pistons for @TheAthletic. @LoyolaMarymount, @USCAnnenberg Alumnus
Cade Cunningham went from a “depressing” losing streak to matching the Pistons’ win total from last season in 51 fewer games. But the losses made him more sure of himself. Here’s my feature on his unshakeable confidence. nytimes.com/athletic/60212…
Ron Holland II earns second-team honors.
The NBA 2K26 All-Summer League Second Team: 🏀 Ron Holland II, @DetroitPistons 🏀 Isaac Jones, @SacramentoKings 🏀 Kon Knueppel, @hornets 🏀 Ajay Mitchell, @okcthunder 🏀 KJ Simpson, @hornets
I spoke with Duncan Robinson about resilience, how he defines himself, living on a “razor’s edge” and more. “I’ve always had this anxiety of, ‘Am I good enough?' ... My superpower has existed in that space of, ‘I haven’t really achieved anything yet.'" nytimes.com/athletic/65025…
The NBA 2K26 Summer League schedule for July 19-20:
Back in Detroit with a Pistons summer league notebook after a week in Vegas. I wrote on Ron Holland II’s development, Duncan Robinson’s mindset coming to Detroit, Bickerstaff’s desire for the Pistons to “beat your ass” and more: nytimes.com/athletic/64945…
Asked Duncan Robinson how he sees himself playing off of Jalen Duren next season: “JD is a special talent, man. I feel like he’s even gotten bigger and stronger since the season. … Even Stew as well. Just the way they set screens, create opportunities for guys.”
20-point first half for Daniss Jenkins on 6/8 shooting from the field.
A group of Pistons players are here supporting the summer league squad again. Looks like it’s the same bunch from the first game.
Chaz doesn’t need many dribbles to get to his spots. Another skill that should help him long term.
Chaz Lanier’s off-ball movement should help him fit right in when he gets minutes.
Daniss Jenkins is locked in, per usual, and taking his matchup with Reed Sheppard seriously.
Ron Holland II is four days into being 20 years old and was the best player on the floor during the Pistons’ win over the Knicks today. Here’s more on his outing and what led to it: nytimes.com/athletic/64894…
Ron heads into the fourth with a game-high 25 points on 7/11 and 3/4 from 3. He’s also got 10 boards, 3 steals, 2 assists and a block.
Back to back triples from Ron and he made sure to let his teammates on the baseline know about it.
Stew is also in the building, just to Duncan’s left.
No Stew 🤔
Good minutes from Daniss Jenkins today. He’s got 8 points on 2/3 from 3 and he’s a +12.
Tobias Harris, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Marcus Sasser, Jaden Ivey, Paul Reed, Ausar Thompson and Duncan Robinson are here watching the Pistons:
Liking what I’m seeing from Ron and Bobi to start. They’ve outscored the Knicks by themselves and both look under control so far.