Since his return to play after his hip discomfort on January 23, Killian Hayes has discovered a new role with the Pistons, which he had already briefly occupied last season: that of sixth man.
Taking over from the Cade Cunningham – Cory Joseph tandem, then now from the Cory Joseph – Hamidou Diallo pair in the absence of Cade Cunningham, the Frenchman was repositioned by his trainer, Dwane Casey, to rediscover his leadership instincts and have more ball in hands.
If, in scoring, the first six outings of Killian Hayes in this new role (6.3 points, 37% on shots and 17% at 3-pts) remained in line with those proposed between mid-October and mid-January (6.2 points, 34% on shots and 30% on 3-pts), his creation performance was much more satisfactory.
Killian Hayes finally on the attack
With 5.5 average passes (and 1.6 ball loss) off the bench, compared to 3.6 average passes (and 1.5 ball loss) when he was in the five, the 7th choice of the 2020 Draft thus seems to flourish more in as Detroit’s primary gambling custodian. Especially since, for the past two games, Killian Hayes has started to raise his voice in scoring, he who remains on two consecutive games at 10 points or more. Which had previously only happened to him three times in his career.
” I’m really proud of him“, explained Dwane Casey, after the game with 10 points and 8 assists from his 20-year-old player last night. ” I’m constantly on his back, more than anyone on this team, in every video session. I push him to grow and that’s what he does. He’s so fed up with me being behind him that he begins to assimilate things and move on himself. Like when I called a system but the lane opened up in front of him and he went and slammed a dunk. These are the instincts he’s playing with right now, which probably wasn’t the case a month ago.“
And the Pistons coach details the aspects in which this more confident Killian Hayes is, according to him, ” growing “.
” When you’re up against Patrick Beverley, who’s one of the best defenders in his position, and you’re able to hold on, get the ball where you want to go and dunk in stride, those are signs progress “, added Dwane Casey. ” This is what we expect from him: to grow in handling the ball, in his decision-making, in creation, in his passing game. This progress does not necessarily translate into a victory, but the individual progress is there.“
Aggressiveness as a key word
Precisely, during the setback conceded this Sunday evening on the Wolves floor, Killian Hayes was particularly enterprising offensively, especially after the break. First in creation, to offer several good shooting positions to his teammates. Then in scoring, in this fourth quarter where the Frenchman scored all of his points.
In “catch-and-shoot” behind the arc, but also (and above all) in his penetrations towards the circle, the young point guard from Detroit has shown that he is indeed capable of being aggressive on the offensive level. Especially since, when he gets there, his team’s game only becomes more threatening.
” I know I’m at my best when I can go in the paint and finish the action myself or get the ball out for a teammate. “, recognized also the main interested party, already attractive against the Celtics, Friday evening. ” My goal is to get into painting as soon as possible. In particular, by watching videos with the coaches. It’s just a learning process, which I work on every day in training. It is physical but also mental.“
More comfortable in defense than in attack since the beginning of his career, hitherto disturbed by injuries, Killian Hayes retains the confidence of his franchise, his coaches and his teammates, despite his difficulties.
” He’s a great player, a great leader for us “, even estimated Saddiq Bey, one of those who benefit from the creative talents of the former nugget of Cholet and Ulm. ” He’s able to use his height to good effect and it’s a mismatch for a lot of 1/2 positions. It’s good to see him play aggressively in the hot moments and throughout the game.“
| Killian Hayes | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2020-21 | TED | 26 | 26 | 35.3 | 27.8 | 82.4 | 0.2 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 5.3 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 6.8 |
| 2021-22 | TED | 41 | 25 | 36.1 | 28.0 | 80.9 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 6.4 |
| Total | 67 | 25 | 35.7 | 27.9 | 81.2 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 4.5 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 6.5 | |
