Jalen Duren Embraces Gritty Pistons Identity

Young star sees team's physical, no-nonsense style as natural fit

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:35am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Pistons basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, red, and yellow conveying the team's physical, defensive-minded identity.Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons embrace a physical, no-nonsense style that harkens back to the franchise's gritty past.Today in Detroit

Jalen Duren, the rising star of the Detroit Pistons, embraces the team's gritty, physical identity, seeing it as a natural extension of his and his teammates' playing styles and personalities. Duren draws comparisons to the tough, defensive-minded Pistons teams of the 1990s and 2000s, crediting head coach Juwan Howard for fostering that mentality.

Why it matters

The Pistons have struggled in recent years, but Duren's comments suggest the team is building a strong, cohesive identity centered around a physical, defensive-oriented style of play. This could signal a return to the Pistons' past success and help the team establish itself as a force in the Eastern Conference.

The details

In a recent interview, Duren acknowledged that the Pistons' style of play is often compared to the franchise's past success, but he insists the team's approach is simply a reflection of their own personalities. Duren, along with teammates like Isaiah Stewart and Ausar Thompson, embrace a gritty, no-nonsense mentality that he believes was fostered by head coach Juwan Howard.

  • Jalen Duren was drafted by the Pistons in 2022.

The players

Jalen Duren

A rising star for the Detroit Pistons, known for his physical, defensive-oriented style of play.

Juwan Howard

The head coach of the Detroit Pistons, credited with cultivating the team's gritty identity.

Isaiah Stewart

A Pistons player who, along with Duren, embodies the team's physical, no-nonsense approach.

Ausar Thompson

Another Pistons player who shares the team's tough, defensive-minded mindset.

Ron Holland

A Pistons player who contributes to the team's overall gritty identity.

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What they’re saying

“Y'all kind of remind us of the '90s, 2000s Pistons, man. Kind of our era. Big, physical, don't take no shit.”

— Jalen Duren, Pistons Player

“Yeah, honestly, a lot of people would think we just try to copy the earlier teams Detroit had. But I think, to a man, that's just how we feel. That's just how we play.”

— Jalen Duren, Pistons Player

The takeaway

Jalen Duren's comments suggest the Detroit Pistons are building a strong, cohesive identity centered around a physical, defensive-oriented style of play, reminiscent of the team's past success. This could signal a return to the Pistons' glory days and help the team establish itself as a force in the Eastern Conference.