The hidden talents of the Detroit Pistons
By Amaar Burton
Jon Leuer’s hidden talent: Running the floor
Chalk it up to stereotypes and lazy basketball analysis, but big guys from Minnesota who played college ball at the University of Wisconsin don’t get enough credit for their speed, fluidity or athleticism.
The book on Leuer when he entered the NBA was that he was smart, skilled, tough and could shoot. One talent he has shown since then is being able to run the floor and make himself a reliable target in transition.
Running the floor effectively is about more than just speed. Leuer can move, but he’s also smart about finding the right angles and knowing where to go to let the ball-handler know that he’s open. Leuer also knows how to finish when he gets the ball, so teammates trust him in that situation.
Leuer averaged a career-high 10.2 points and 25.9 minutes per game for the Pistons in the 2016-17 season, but an ankle injury limited him to just eight games this past season. If he has his legs under him when he returns to the court in 2018-19, he’ll be a valuable piece for a Detroit team that has the personnel to play a fast-paced game.