Daniss Jenkins has not played well for the Pistons in their first round series against Orlando, but he has done one thing Detroit desperately needs, which take care of the ball.
To say Jenkins has shot the ball poorly would be a vast understatement, as he has hit just 25 percent of his shots overall and a pathetic 11 percent from long range after going 0-of-5 again last night.
He’s shot poorly enough that you might ask why JB Bickerstaff keeps running him out there, but there are a few solid reasons.
Daniss Jenkins doesn’t turn the ball over
Turnovers have been the story of the series, as the Magic have shot poorly, but the Pistons have given them tons of extra possessions with turnovers and by allowing offensive rebounds.
The turnover bug has gotten just about everyone, as Cade Cunningham is averaging over six per game, Jalen Duren has coughed it up three times per game on average and Ausar Thompson is over two per game.
The only one who hasn’t joined in is Jenkins, who has committed just one turnover the entire series. He’s not doing much else, but he has been a sure hand who at least isn’t handing it over to the Magic.
But there are other reasons JB Bickerstaff has to keep him in the rotation.
Daniss Jenkins can get to the rim
Jenkins has been the only Pistons player other than Cade Cunningham to be able to get to the rim on Orlando. He hasn’t done much with it as a scorer once he does, but he’s at least breaking down the defense and did get his teammates a couple of easy shots last night.
Unlike Cade, Jenkins will try to get all the way to the rim rather than pull up for the middy, so he does give Orlando a different look. His ability to get deep into the defense led to an Ausar Thompson dunk last night as well as one of the Piston’s few made 3-pointers.
Again, he hasn’t been good, but he’s offering a skill no one else on the team has.
Daniss Jenkins still has a big game in him
Jenkins has been a big-game player this season and stepped up several times when the Pistons needed him.
He’s been streaky all year, so if Jenkins can catch a hot streak (please happen in game 6), he could still be a big factor as a scorer. If a couple of those open corner 3's falls, this looks like a different series for him.
It’s been a bumpy introduction to the playoffs for Jenkins, but I give him credit for at least taking care of the ball when so many of his teammates haven’t.