I don’t want to freak anyone out here, but the knowledge I’m about to drop on you is seriously freaky. If you are of weak constitution, or are otherwise easily spooked, I advise you to discontinue reading this description and maybe to prevent yourself from reading my descriptions in the future. I don’t want to be responsible for any injuries or deaths. Okay. Are you ready? Here we go.
For the second playoff game in a row, Luke Kennard has outscored Donovan Mitchell.
Now, I don’t want to make any hasty conclusions because of this new stuff that has come to light. But I am definitely wondering if all the people who were trashing the Pistons for drafting Kennard instead of Mitchell were the ones being hasty.
The truth of the matter is, Mitchell got drafted into a situation where he fairly quickly was given the keys to the franchise, getting to take any shots he wants and maybe some shots he doesn’t (because who the heck else on that team can just go out there and shoot). Conversely, Kennard got drafted into a situation where he has to fight for meager bench scraps, battling talented offensive players such as Langston Galloway (this year) and Dwight Buycks (last year) for the right to sometimes take a jumper.
But now the Pistons are suddenly facing a severe scoring shortfall due to the absence of Blake Griffin, and even noted dumb-butt Dwane Casey is finding it necessary to unleash The ‘Nard. Kennard, dare I say it, CARRIED the Pistons in the first half, and how is he rewarded? With only a single bucket on three attempts in the second half. Is it too late for him to request a trade?