Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard primed and ready to break Duke stereotypes
If Summer League is a sign of things to come, Detroit Pistons shooting guard Luke Kennard will break the stereotypes about Duke Blue Devils sharpshooters.
Leading up to the 2017 NBA Draft, a flurry of polarizing reports emerged stating the Association’s infatuation with Luke Kennard. Kennard’s talent was undisputed, but his status as a Duke Blue Devils shooting guard carried a stigma.
It’s only Summer League, but watching Kennard slice through opposing defenses for the Detroit Pistons makes one thing clear: he was inaccurately labeled.
Let’s not beat around the bush, and acknowledge the Kennard narrative for what it is. He’s a white shooting guard who played for Duke and can knock down the 3-ball at virtual will, which thus led to incessant comparisons to J.J. Redick.
Redick is a fine NBA player, but his limitations are well-known and were thus projected onto Kennard leading up to the annual selection process.
The narrative was fueled when the Pistons selected Kennard at No. 12 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. The Pistons, of course, are led by head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy—the same Van Gundy who coached Redick in Orlando.
Intriguing as those comparisons may be, they end there. Kennard is cut from a different cloth.
Do yourself a favor and watch the video placed above. Kennard didn’t just score 24 points; he methodically picked the Dallas Mavericks apart with advanced moves as far as shot creation in isolation is concerned.
Summer League or not, the fact that Kennard has those moves in his arsenal makes him a Duke shooting guard anomaly.
Throughout Summer League, Kennard has flashed the ability to change hands in mid-air when finishing at the rim. He’s pulled out multiple vicious step-back jump shots, and is comfortable dribbling between his legs and behind his back while on the move.
Kennard also has an excellent understanding of how to properly utilize his pivot foot, which will be a great strength for a player who has the tools to develop a mid-post game.
The areas in which Kennard checks the stereotypical boxes are helpful for any player—regardless of their alma mater. He’s an outstanding 3-point shooter who moves well without the ball and knows how to get to his spots.
Two underrated skills that Kennard has displayed, however, are his ability to run the floor as the transition playmaker, and his ability to attack the basket without the ball.
Defense will remain a question mark, and Kennard will face a learning curve against athletic NBA defenders. His skill set is as polished as any player’s in this draft class, however, and his game continues to expand.
Simply put: Kennard isn’t another Duke shooter—he’s a bonafide scorer.
For those unfamiliar with Kennard’s backstory, he’s the reigning ACC Tournament MVP. Over the course of the full 2016-17 season, he averaged 22.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 3-point field goals made per 36 minutes on a slash line of .490/.438/.856.
His per game averages were similarly impressive at 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.4 3-point field goals made.
Although college numbers don’t always translate to the NBA, Kennard showed out at Summer League. Although Summer League isn’t a guarantee of pro-level success, there are intriguing takeaways.
Per Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press, an Eastern Conference scout explained why Kennard’s Summer League play is worth taking note of.
"“Just look at his situation,” an Eastern Conference scout told the Free Press. “The guy has probably only been around these guys for a few days, but somehow he’s figured out a way to play off them. And he was able to do it with many guys that really aren’t that talented.”"
That’s the beauty of his game.
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Detroit Pistons shooting guard Luke Kennard may fit the stereotype, but he’s also evolved beyond it.