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Detroit Pistons: 3 goals for Sekou Doumbouya in 2020-21

By Duncan Smith

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28: Sekou Doumbouya #45 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 28, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pistons defeated the Suns 113-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28: Sekou Doumbouya #45 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 28, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pistons defeated the Suns 113-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

2. Get on the same page with the coaching staff

Doumbouya was all over the place this season in more way than one. While he spent a significant portion of his campaign with the Grand Rapids Drive in the G League, his experience in Detroit was at times confusing and convoluted.

He played just garbage time for the first several months of the season, right up until Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey decided the way to go was to throw him directly to the wolves and start him against Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers on January 2nd.

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He thrived for a while, and then he dropped off the face of the earth. Doumbouya was invisible on the court, usually just camped in the corner. As mostly a non-shooter, assigning him a role as a corner spot-up shooter was clearly a losing solution.

When the season was clearly lost, minutes that could have gone to Doumbouya often ended up going to his veteran teammates, including players like John Henson and Jordan McRae who aren’t likely to be around next season.

It was confusing to watch, so unless there was continuous communication from the coaching staff regarding what was expected from him, it would be understandable if Doumbouya was confused as well. Everybody getting on the same page for year two is a critical step in his development.

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